Stewart McKinney
1931 — 1987
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Nine-term Republican U.S. Congressman from Connecticut.
Rep. Stewart McKinney of Connecticut, the one-time second-ranking Republican on the House Banking Committee, died May 7, 1987 of acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
The death of the 56-year-old Mr. McKinney, a nine-term GOP moderate from one of the most affluent congressional districts, is likely to intensify support for AIDS research and other programs. It was the first known death of a member of Congress from AIDS.
Dr. Cesar Caceres, who was Mr. McKinney's physician, said in a statement that he believed the congressman acquired AIDS as the result of blood transfusions he received in 1979 during multiple heart bypass surgery.
"The congressman said he wanted the cause of his death known after he passed away, in hopes that this information might help others to deal with what is becoming a national crisis," Dr. Caceres said. He emphasized that the transfusions occurred before blood banks began testing for the AIDS virus.
Mr. McKinney, who was married and the father of five children, tested positive for the virus that produces AIDS in 1985, but wasn't diagnosed as having developed AIDS until he entered the Washington Hospital Center April 22, 1987 his doctor said.
An independent "Gypsy Moth" Republican, Mr. McKinney played important roles in the formulation of loan guarantees for New York City and for Chrysler Corp.
Bio by The Associated Press