Topic: Edward Koch

Edward Irving "Ed" Koch (born December 12, 1924; pronounced /ˈkɒtʃ/) is an American lawyer, politician, and political commentator who was a United States Congressman from 1969 to 1977, and a three-term Mayor of New York City, from 1978 to 1989. He also became known as a "judge" on the television show The People's Court from 1997 to 1999.

Koch was born in The Bronx, New York City, New York to a Conservative Jewish family residing in Newark, New Jersey, where his father worked at a theater. He enlisted into the United States Army in 1943 where he served as an infantryman with the 104th Infantry Division, landing in Cherbourg, France in September 1944. He earned two Battle Stars as a Combat Infantryman. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant in 1946. Koch returned to New York City to attend New York University School of Law and received his law degree in 1948.

Koch was the Democratic US Representative from New York's 17th congressional district from January 3, 1969 until January 3, 1973, when after a redistricting he represented New York's 18th congressional district until December 31, 1977, when he resigned to become Mayor of New York City.