Ed Koch Editorial Image

Ed Koch, former 4-term US Congressman and 3-term Mayor of New York City, speaks at the Leon and Toby Cooperman Jewish Community Center in West Orange, New Jersey, on October 24, 1996. Koch, who called himself A liberal with sanity, and The voice of reason, took office as mayor during a time of great fiscal crisis in the City and is given credit for beginning the restoration and revival of The Big Apple. Koch was an author and co-author of numerous books, including, Murder on Broadway, Eddie, Harold's Little Brother, Giuliani: Nasty Man, and Citizen Koch: An Autobiography. He hosted a radio talk show and web series, The Mayor at the Movies, and taught at NYU and Brandeis Universities. Outspoken and controversial, he was known as a staunch supporter of Israel. Koch died at 88 on the day a documentary movie on his life premiered.