Lucien Norbert Nedzi

The Honorable Lucien Norbert Nedzi
May 28, 1925 – June 9, 2025
The Honorable Lucien Norbert Nedzi was born May 28,1925 in Hamtramck, Michigan, the son of Polish immigrants. On June 9th, 2025, at the age of 100, he passed away peacefully at home in Reston, Virginia surrounded by loved ones.
Mr. Nedzi graduated from Hamtramck High School in 1943 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944. He served as a combat infantryman in the Philippines during World War II, then with the Corps of Engineers during the postwar occupation of Japan and again during the Korean War. He went on to earn a B.A. in Economics and a J.D. from the University of Michigan and was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1952.
His career in public service career began as a public administrator in Wayne County Michigan. In 1961 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election. He represented Michigan's 1st district and later 14th district for ten terms, choosing to retire in 1981. Raised in a Polish-speaking home, Congressman Nedzi regularly contributed to Voice of America delivering broadcasts in his parent's native language.
He was a lifelong champion of civil rights, fiscal responsibility and peace. Congressman Nedzi (D-MI) cast a deciding vote in favor of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. In 1971, he co-sponsored the bi-partisan Nedzi-Whalen amendment calling for an end to the Vietnam war by year's end - marking the first major Congressional opposition to the war. His advocacy for an end to United States involvement in Vietnam culminated in the 1973 "Nedzi Resolution" urging that no further funds be allocated for the conflict. Congressman Nedzi's efforts built Congressional pressure which contributed to ending U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
Congressman Nedzi served on the House Committee on Armed Services and the House Committee on House Administration. He chaired the Joint Committee on the Library (1973-1979) and was instrumental in establishing The Library of Congress' Center for the Book. Signed into law by President Carter in 1977, the Center promotes reading, literacy and appreciation of American literary heritage. Today, the Center includes affiliates in all 50 states, United States territories and the District of Columbia.
He also chaired the House Administration Committee (1979-1981) and the House Select Committee on Intelligence, known as the "Nedzi Committee" (1975). Aptly described in a Michigan news article as a "reflective rather than combative man", Mr. Nedzi earned bi-partisan respect for his integrity and thoughtfulness.
After leaving Congress, he joined the Detroit law firm Dickinson Wright and served on the board of the Mediterranean Quarterly. He also collaborated with the Library of Congress on international initiatives and travelled widely throughout the former Soviet bloc to advise newly elected legislators on democratic governance and parliamentary procedures. Fluent in Polish and Russian, he was an invaluable member of official delegations during and after his Congressional tenure. In 2000, the Polish government honored his impassioned work towards establishing Poland's democracy by awarding him The Officers Cross medal for outstanding service to the Republic of Poland.
In 1952, Mr. Nedzi married Margaret "Peggy" Garvey. They were married 68 years until her passing in 2020. Together they raised five children: Lucien A., Bridget, Brendan, Gretchen and Eric and were blessed with nine grandchildren and twin great- grandchildren. Honoring his Polish heritage, his grandchildren loving referred to him as Dziadzia.
Mr. Nedzi was a devoted family man who loved his children and grandchildren unconditionally. A gifted musician with a beautiful voice, he was first violin in the University of Michigan Orchestra and taught himself to play the mandolin, guitar and accordion. A lifelong Michigan sports fan, he rooted passionately for the Wolverines. Mr. Nedzi and his wife were avid gardeners and at age 90, he was delighted to receive a new lawn mower from his children. Into his 100th year he continued to enjoy daily crossword and Suduko puzzles and spirited family Euchre games.
Mr. Nedzi will be remembered as a principled public servant and a warm and gentle patriarch who led by example: looking for the good in everyone, valuing and respecting all people and fighting for those less fortunate. A "dove" in Congress and in life, he was an enduring emissary of peace for his family, his country and the world.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations to WETA Classical Radio, the station that brought Lucien and Peggy so many years of joy: https://give.weta.org/page/1292