Former Rep. Arends Dies at 89
NAPLES, Fla. — Leslie C. Arends, a 40-year Illinois Republican veteran of Congress and longtime party leader in the House, died today at a hospital here at the age of 89. Arends had moved to Florida after retirement in 1974.
He was elected Republican whip in 1943 and later served as the ranking GOP member of the House Armed Services Committee. His voting record and philosophy, particularly on defense issues, was considered conservative. Arends was an occasional golf partner of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
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