Former U.S. Rep. Steve Horn of Long Beach dies at 79
Steve Horn, a moderate Republican who represented Long Beach and surrounding communities in Congress from 1993 to 2003 and earlier served as president of Cal State Long Beach for nearly two decades, died Thursday at his home in Long Beach, his family announced. He was 79 and had Alzheimer’s disease.
As a Republican in a district trending Democrat, Horn decided not to run for re-election after redistricting changed the boundaries of the 38th district, which during his time included Bellflower, Downey, Paramount, Signal Hill and most of Long Beach and Lakewood.
Horn did not always follow the party line in Congress. He voted to impeach President Clinton, but he broke with most Republicans in voting against oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. And he supported abortion rights.
Born John Stephen Horn in San Juan Bautista, Calif., on May 31, 1931, he received a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University in 1953, a master’s in public administration from Harvard in 1955 and a doctorate from Stanford in 1958.
He was president of Cal State Long Beach from 1970 to 1988.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Nini Moore Horn; children Marcia and Steve Jr., and a grandson.
A private funeral is planned, along with a memorial service at a later date.
Horn’s family requests donations in his name to the University Library, California State University, Long Beach, c/o CSULB Foundation, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840.
A complete obituary will follow at www.latimes.com/obits.
-- Claire Noland
Photo: Rep. Steve Horn in 2000. Credit: Los Angeles Times
I remember him when we used to live there. So sad he left so soon.
Posted by: Dee | 02/17/2011 at 08:57 PM
CSULB President Horn would attend all graduation cermonies at Cal State Long Beach, stand on stage, and shook every graduate's hand with a sincere smile on his face. I had that brief encounter with President Horn in 1986 and it was a memorable send-off after 5-years at CSULB and working full-time. Best wishes and condolences to his family and friends.
Posted by: CSULB_Grad | 02/18/2011 at 07:42 AM
As a former student of CSULB my repsects to the family of our Past President.
He took over in a season just after MLK civil rights.
It was a differnt world for Black folks.
He made it better for us, Heck for me. All I knew was the "hood. Long Beach State was a vast culture shock.
He made the campus a dynamic open place for little black kid can come out of the South Central area and develop themselves. Thanks Mr Horn, and to the people and professors of that season
It cost 86 dollars per semester. Prop 13 killed that.
I am now the Legal administrator for Law firm, and live well in Orange County. Thanks... President Horn for my life, RIP Sir
Posted by: Bradley | 02/19/2011 at 06:35 AM