Edward W. Pattison | |
|---|---|
 From 1975's Pocket Congressional Directory of the Ninety-Fourth Congress | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 29th district | |
| In office January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Carleton J. King |
| Succeeded by | Gerald B. H. Solomon |
| Treasurer of Rensselaer County, New York | |
| In office January 1, 1970 – December 31, 1974 | |
| Preceded by | James M. Brahan |
| Succeeded by | None (position abolished) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Edward W. Pattison April 29, 1932 Troy, New York |
| Died | August 22, 1990 (aged 58) West Sand Lake, New York |
| Resting place | Oakwood Cemetery, Troy, New York |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Eleanor Copley Pattison (m. 1951–1990, his death) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Cornell University Cornell Law School |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Nickname | Ned |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1954–1956 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Unit | Field Artillery Branch |
Edward Worthington Pattison (April 29, 1932 – August 22, 1990) was an American attorney and politician from New York. A Democrat, he was most notable for his service as the last elected treasurer of Rensselaer County from 1970 to 1974 and a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 1979.
A native of Troy, New York, Pattison graduated from Cornell University in 1953 and served in the United States Army for two years. In 1957, he completed his law degree at Cornell Law School, attained admission to the bar, and began to practice in Troy. While practicing law, Pattison was involved in numerous civic and charitable causes, and frequently represented indigent and poor clients pro bono.
Active in politics as a Democrat, Pattison was chairman of the Sand Lake, New York Democratic Committee and active in the presidential campaigns of John F. Kennedy in 1960 and Eugene McCarthy in 1968. In 1969, Pattison won election as treasurer of Rensselaer County, and he was reelected in 1972. In 1974, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, and he was reelected in 1976. As one of the large freshman class of Democrats elected after the Watergate scandal, Pattison aided in reforming House rules to make seniority a less important factor in committee assignments and chairmanships.
After losing reelection in 1978, Pattison resumed practicing law, was a commentator on current events for television, radio, and newspapers, and also taught politics and government at several universities. He died in West Sand Lake, New York, on August 22, 1990, and was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Troy.