# Steven Derounian

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American politician (1918–2007)

Steven Derounian Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York In office January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1965 Preceded by Leonard W. Hall Succeeded by Lester L. Wolff Constituency 2nd district (1953–1963) 3rd district (1963–1965) Personal details Born Steven Boghos Derounian (1918-04-06)April 6, 1918 Sofia, Kingdom of Bulgaria Died April 17, 2007(2007-04-17) (aged 89) Austin, Texas, U.S. Party Republican Spouse Emily Ann Kennard Derounian Alma mater New York University Fordham University Law School Profession Attorney Professor

**Steven Boghos Derounian** (April 6, 1918 – April 17, 2007) was a Bulgarian-born American politician. A member of the [Republican Party](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)), Derounian served as a member of the [United States House of Representatives](/source/United_States_House_of_Representatives) from [2nd](/source/New_York's_2nd_congressional_district) and later [3rd](/source/New_York's_3rd_congressional_district) district, covering parts of [Long Island](/source/Long_Island) from 1953 until 1965.

## Early life and education

Derounian was born in [Sofia](/source/Sofia) in the [Kingdom of Bulgaria](/source/Kingdom_of_Bulgaria) to [Armenian](/source/Armenians) parents Boghos Derounian and Eliza Aprahamian. When he was three, his family left Bulgaria with his two other brothers (one of whom was the journalist Avedis Boghos Derounian, better known as [John Roy Carlson](/source/John_Roy_Carlson)) to the United States and settled in [Mineola, New York](/source/Mineola%2C_New_York).

As a young man, Derounian helped at his father's store. In an anecdote recounted from this time, a customer complained that the 20-year-old Derounian overweighed a shipment of cheese, and his father rebuked him. The young Derounian apologized, but his father shot back:

"You made a mistake, and you're sorry. That's what every dishonest person says when he's caught. Sure, I know you didn't mean to do the wrong thing, but who else knows it? A reputation for honesty is one thing money can't buy. It can be preserved only by not making mistakes, not by making apologies. You remember that, boy, as long as you live."[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

He attended the public schools and graduated from [New York University](/source/New_York_University) in 1938 and from [Fordham University Law School](/source/Fordham_University_Law_School) in 1942.[1]

## Career

He was admitted to the New York bar in 1942 and began practice in Mineola the same year. Derounian entered the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army) as a private in July 1942 and graduated from officers school as an Infantry officer and was assigned to the [327th Infantry](/source/327th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)). He served overseas from October 1944 to March 1946 and separated from the service as a captain in May 1946. He was awarded the [Purple Heart](/source/Purple_Heart) and the [Bronze Star](/source/Bronze_Star_Medal) with oak leaf.

### Politics

He was elected as a Republican to the Eighty-third and to the five succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1965).

As a Congressman, Derounian was part of the Congressional Subcommittee that investigated the 1950s [Quiz show scandals](/source/Quiz_show_scandals). This event is presented in [Robert Redford](/source/Robert_Redford)'s 1994 film *[Quiz Show](/source/Quiz_Show_(film))*, where Derounian is shown harshly criticizing [Charles Van Doren](/source/Charles_Van_Doren), after he admits to cheating on the TV game show *[Twenty-One](/source/Twenty-One_(game_show))*. When his fellow Congressmen praised Van Doren for his statement, Derounian dissented, saying:

"Mr. Van Doren, I am happy that you made the statement, but I cannot agree with most of my colleagues who commended you for telling the truth, because I don't think an adult of your intelligence ought to be commended for telling the truth."[2]

Derounian voted in favor of the [Civil Rights Acts of 1957](/source/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1957),[3] [1960](/source/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1960),[4] and [1964](/source/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964),[5] as well as the [24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution](/source/Twenty-fourth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution).[6]

A staunch conservative and [Barry Goldwater](/source/Barry_Goldwater) supporter, Derounian was narrowly defeated in New York's Third Congressional District on Long Island during the [LBJ landslide of 1964](/source/1964_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections) Democrat [Lester Wolff](/source/Lester_Wolff) won 96,503 (50.7%) votes to Derounian's 93,883 (49.3%). In 1966 Derounian defeated future CIA Director [William Casey](/source/William_Casey) in the Republican primary, but was again defeated by Rep. Wolff in November, though by an even more narrow tally of 81,959 (50.3%) to 81,122 (49.7%).[1][7]

Thereafter, he served as justice of the [New York Supreme Court](/source/New_York_Supreme_Court) from 1969 to 1981.

## Retirement

He retired to [Austin, Texas](/source/Austin%2C_Texas), saying "I think New York has gotten a little too crowded. Austin is an attractive, educational city." Derounian was additionally a professor of law at the [University of Texas](/source/University_of_Texas).

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-obituary_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-obituary_1-1) Saxon, Wolfgang (April 20, 2007). ["Steven B. Derounian, 89, Judge and Nassau Ex-Congressman, Dies"](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/20/obituaries/20derounian.html?ex=1335412800&en=78dbf9d13ec434e6&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink). *The New York Times*. Retrieved May 24, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Text of Van Doren's Testimony at House Hearing on Fixed Television Quizzes; Subcommittee Is Told of Rehearsals and Coaching for the 'Twenty-one' Show"](https://www.nytimes.com/1959/11/03/archives/text-of-van-dorens-testimony-at-house-hearing-on-fixed-television.html). *The New York Times*. November 3, 1959.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957"](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/85-1957/h42). *GovTrack.us*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["HR 8601. PASSAGE"](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/86-1960/h102).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["H.R. 7152. PASSAGE"](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/88-1964/h128).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["S.J. RES. 29. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BAN THE USE OF POLL TAX AS A REQUIREMENT FOR VOTING IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS"](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/87-1962/h193). *GovTrack.us*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 8, 1966"](https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1966election.pdf) (PDF). Clerk of the House of Representatives. p. 28.

## External links

- United States Congress. ["Steven Derounian (id: D000266)"](http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000266). *[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress](/source/Biographical_Directory_of_the_United_States_Congress)*.

- Saxon, Wolfgang (April 20, 2007). ["Steven B. Derounian, 89, Judge and Nassau Ex-Congressman, Dies"](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/20/obituaries/20derounian.html?ex=1335412800&en=78dbf9d13ec434e6&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink). *New York Times*. Retrieved August 8, 2008.

- Kelly, Lee (November 5, 1994). "Austin man remembered for honesty in 'Quiz Show'". *Austin American-Statesman*.

U.S. House of Representatives Preceded by Leonard W. Hall Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 2nd congressional district 1953–1963 Succeeded by James R. Grover, Jr. Preceded by Frank J. Becker Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 3rd congressional district 1963–1965 Succeeded by Lester L. Wolff

v t e New York's delegation(s) to the 83rd-88th United States Congress (ordered by seniority) 83rd Senate: ▌I. Ives (R) · ▌H. Lehman (D) House: ▌D. Reed (R) ▌E. Celler (D) ▌J. Taber (R) ▌C. Buckley (D) ▌S. Cole (R) ▌E. Keogh (D) ▌R. Gamble (R) ▌C. Kilburn (R) ▌A. Klein (D) ▌B. Kearney (R) ▌D. Taylor (R) ▌J. Rooney (D) ▌R. Gwinn (R) ▌H. Latham (R) ▌A. Powell (D) ▌F. Coudert (R) ▌J. Javits (R) ▌K. Keating (R) ▌W. Riehlman (R) ▌K. St. George (R) ▌A. Multer (D) ▌Ja. Delaney (D) ▌I. Dollinger (D) ▌L. Heller (D) ▌F. Roosevelt Jr. (D) ▌E. Kelly (D) ▌J. Donovan (D) ▌S. Fine (D) ▌W. Miller (R) ▌H. Ostertag (R) ▌E. Radwan (R) ▌E. Wharton (R) ▌W. Williams (R) ▌L. O'Brien (D) ▌F. Becker (R) ▌A. Bosch (R) ▌S. Derounian (R) ▌F. Dorn (R) ▌P. Fino (R) ▌L. Holtzman (D) ▌J. Pillion (R) ▌J. Ray (R) ▌S. Wainwright (R) 84th Senate: ▌I. Ives (R) · ▌H. Lehman (D) House: ▌D. Reed (R) ▌E. Celler (D) ▌J. Taber (R) ▌C. Buckley (D) ▌S. Cole (R) ▌E. Keogh (D) ▌R. Gamble (R) ▌C. Kilburn (R) ▌A. Klein (R) ▌B. Kearney (R) ▌D. Taylor (R) ▌J. Rooney (D) ▌R. Gwinn (R) ▌H. Latham (R) ▌A. Powell (D) ▌F. Coudert (R) ▌K. Keating (R) ▌W. Riehlman (R) ▌K. St. George (R) ▌A. Multer (D) ▌Ja. Delaney (D) ▌I. Dollinger (D) ▌E. Kelly (D) ▌J. Donovan (D) ▌S. Fine (D) ▌W. Miller (R) ▌H. Ostertag (R) ▌E. Radwan (R) ▌E. Wharton (R) ▌W. Williams (R) ▌L. O'Brien (D) ▌F. Becker (R) ▌A. Bosch (R) ▌S. Derounian (R) ▌F. Dorn (R) ▌P. Fino (R) ▌L. Holtzman (D) ▌J. Pillion (R) ▌J. Ray (R) ▌S. Wainwright (R) ▌V. Anfuso (D) ▌I. Davidson (D‑L) ▌H. Zelenko (D) ▌J. Healey (D) 85th Senate: ▌I. Ives (R) · ▌J. Javits (R) House: ▌D. Reed (R) ▌E. Celler (D) ▌J. Taber (R) ▌C. Buckley (D) ▌S. Cole (R) ▌E. Keogh (D) ▌C. Kilburn (R) ▌B. Kearney (R) ▌D. Taylor (R) ▌J. Rooney (D) ▌R. Gwinn (R) ▌H. Latham (R) ▌A. Powell (D) ▌F. Coudert (R) ▌K. Keating (R) ▌W. Riehlman (R) ▌K. St. George (R) ▌A. Multer (D) ▌Ja. Delaney (D) ▌I. Dollinger (D) ▌E. Kelly (D) ▌W. Miller (R) ▌H. Ostertag (R) ▌E. Radwan (R) ▌E. Wharton (R) ▌W. Williams (R) ▌L. O'Brien (D) ▌F. Becker (R) ▌A. Bosch (R) ▌S. Derounian (R) ▌F. Dorn (R) ▌P. Fino (R) ▌L. Holtzman (D) ▌J. Pillion (R) ▌J. Ray (R) ▌S. Wainwright (R) ▌V. Anfuso (D) ▌H. Zelenko (D) ▌J. Healey (D) ▌E. Dooley (R) ▌L. Farbstein (D) ▌A. Santangelo (D) ▌L. Teller (D) ▌H. Robison (R) 86th Senate: ▌J. Javits (R) · ▌K. Keating (R) House: ▌D. Reed (R) ▌E. Celler (D) ▌J. Taber (R) ▌C. Buckley (D) ▌E. Keogh (D) ▌C. Kilburn (R) ▌D. Taylor (R) ▌J. Rooney (D) ▌A. Powell (D) ▌W. Riehlman (R) ▌K. St. George (R) ▌A. Multer (D) ▌Ja. Delaney (D) ▌I. Dollinger (D) ▌E. Kelly (D) ▌W. Miller (R) ▌H. Ostertag (R) ▌E. Wharton (R) ▌L. O'Brien (R) ▌F. Becker (R) ▌A. Bosch (R) ▌S. Derounian (R) ▌F. Dorn (R) ▌P. Fino (R) ▌L. Holtzman (D) ▌J. Pillion (R) ▌J. Ray (D) ▌S. Wainwright (R) ▌V. Anfuso (D) ▌H. Zelenko (D) ▌J. Healey (D) ▌E. Dooley (R) ▌L. Farbstein (D) ▌A. Santangelo (D) ▌L. Teller (D) ▌H. Robison (R) ▌B. Barry (R) ▌T. Dulski (D) ▌S. Halpern (R) ▌J. Lindsay (R) ▌A. Pirnie (R) ▌S. Stratton (D) ▌J. Weis (R) ▌C. Goodell (R) ▌J. Gilbert (D) 87th Senate: ▌J. Javits (R) · ▌K. Keating (R) House: ▌E. Celler (D) ▌J. Taber (R) ▌C. Buckley (D) ▌E. Keogh (D) ▌C. Kilburn (R) ▌J. Rooney (D) ▌A. Powell (D) ▌W. Riehlman (R) ▌K. St. George (R) ▌A. Multer (D) ▌Ja. Delaney (D) ▌E. Kelly (D) ▌W. Miller (R) ▌H. Ostertag (R) ▌E. Wharton (R) ▌L. O'Brien (D) ▌F. Becker (R) ▌S. Derounian (R) ▌P. Fino (R) ▌L. Holtzman (D) ▌J. Pillion (R) ▌J. Ray (R) ▌V. Anfuso (D) ▌H. Zelenko (D) ▌J. Healey (D) ▌E. Dooley (R) ▌L. Farbstein (D) ▌A. Santangelo (D) ▌H. Robison (R) ▌B. Barry (R) ▌T. Dulski (D) ▌S. Halpern (R) ▌J. Lindsay (R) ▌A. Pirnie (R) ▌S. Stratton (D) ▌J. Weis (R) ▌C. Goodell (R) ▌J. Gilbert (D) ▌J. Addabbo (D) ▌H. Carey (D) ▌C. King (R) ▌O. Pike (D) ▌W. Ryan (D) ▌B. Rosenthal (D) 88th Senate: ▌J. Javits (R) · ▌K. Keating (R) House: ▌E. Celler (D) ▌C. Buckley (D) ▌E. Keogh (D) ▌C. Kilburn (R) ▌J. Rooney (D) ▌A. Powell (D) ▌W. Riehlman (R) ▌K. St. George (R) ▌A. Multer (D) ▌Ja. Delaney (D) ▌E. Kelly (D) ▌W. Miller (R) ▌H. Ostertag (R) ▌E. Wharton (R) ▌L. O'Brien (D) ▌F. Becker (R) ▌S. Derounian (R) ▌P. Fino (R) ▌J. Pillion (R) ▌J. Healey (D) ▌L. Farbstein (D) ▌H. Robison (R) ▌B. Barry (R) ▌T. Dulski (D) ▌S. Halpern (R) ▌J. Lindsay (R) ▌A. Pirnie (R) ▌S. Stratton (D) ▌C. Goodell (R) ▌J. Gilbert (D) ▌J. Addabbo (D) ▌H. Carey (D) ▌C. King (R) ▌O. Pike (D) ▌W. Ryan (D) ▌B. Rosenthal (D) ▌J. Grover (R) ▌F. Horton (R) ▌J. Murphy (D) ▌O. Reid (R) ▌J. Wydler (R)

v t e 1950s quiz show scandals Shows Dotto For Love or Money Name That Tune The Big Surprise The $64,000 Question Tic-Tac-Dough Twenty-One Producers Jack Barry Dan Enright Albert Freedman Contestants Herb Stempel Charles Van Doren Elfrida von Nardroff Leonard Ross Joyce Brothers Marie Winn Pop culture and advertisers Popular culture Quiz Show American Experience The Interviews: An Oral History of Television Sponsors Geritol Revlon Other key figures Robert Redford Charles Revson Frank Stanton (executive) Officials Oren Harris Frank Hogan House Subcommittee on Legislative Oversight

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States People US Congress Other SNAC Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Steven Derounian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Derounian) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Derounian?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.