A longtime Indiana Democrat and moderate voice in Congress, he chaired the House Foreign Affairs and Intelligence committees and played a pivotal role in bipartisan national security oversight, including leading investigations into Iran-Contra and shaping post-9/11 policy.

As vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission, he helped conclude that both the Clinton and Bush administrations underestimated terrorist threats and failed to act decisively, contributing to a broader rethinking of U.S. counterterrorism strategy.

Earlier, as co-chair of the Iran-Contra investigation in the mid-1980s, he highlighted transparency gaps and constitutional concerns surrounding the Reagan administration’s actions.

Indiana University President Pamela Whitten lauded his lasting impact on democratic ideals and public service.

His obituary notes his death date, with tributes from colleagues and an outline of his legacy.

Colleagues described him as a statesman with a steady moral compass and a bipartisanship that advanced diplomacy and global engagement, mentoring students and shaping policy.

He served as professor of practice at Indiana University’s Hamilton Lugar School, continuing to teach and write up to the end, including a recent column in The Arab American News.

Born April 20, 1931, in Daytona Beach, Florida, he moved to Evansville, Indiana, married to Nancy Hamilton for 58 years until her death in 2012, and is survived by three children, five grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.

His marriage to Nancy Hamilton grounded his public service ethos, a partnership central to his life and work.

A DePauw University alumnus with a law degree from Indiana University, he entered politics after practicing law, launching his long career in Congress.

His legacy includes a belief in a consensus-driven, peaceful role for the United States in world affairs.

The obituary highlights his leadership in national security policy, long tenure, and impact on bipartisan governance.