Congressman Maurice Hinchey announces he won't seek reelection. The announcement was made in Kingston, New York. (Photo provided by the Office of Congressman Maurice HInchey)

With profound gratitude to the people of New York’s 22nd Congressional District and the former 26th Congressional District who he’s had the honor of serving, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) on Thursday announced that he will not seek reelection and instead will retire from Congress at the end of his current term. The congressman made the announcement at the Senate House State Historic Site in Kingston, New York, which was where he announced his first campaign for Congress in 1992. Hinchey has spent the past 38 years of his life in public service, including 18 years in the New York State Assembly and 20 years in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“While it is incredibly hard to leave a job I truly love, I know in my heart of hearts that now is the right time for me to move on,” Hinchey said.

Hinchey was first elected to the House in 1992. He is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, which allocates funds in the federal budget. On that panel, he serves on the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies and the Subcommittee on Defense and previously served on the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. He is also a member of the Joint Economic Committee. Earlier in his congressional career, Hinchey served on the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Natural Resources. Prior to coming to Congress, Hinchey served 18 years in the New York State Assembly after being elected in 1974, including 14 years as Chairman of the Environmental Conservation Committee.

Locally, in Tioga and Tompkins Counties, Hinchey has worked to build and improve upon its communities.

In Ithaca, N.Y., Hinchey used his position on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee to secure millions in federal funding for Cornell University’s science and agricultural research programs.

In Binghamton, N.Y., Hinchey secured $4.1 million to help establish a new state-of-the-art Broome County Intermodal bus terminal. Now up and running and nicknamed “Hinchey’s Hub,” the terminal has helped revitalized a previously forgotten part of downtown Binghamton and allowed for convenient passage of tens of thousands of travelers moving to and from the Southern Tier.

In Owego, N.Y., Hinchey helped develop the concept for and secured nearly $2 million in federal funding to create the Riverwalk – a 1,200-foot walkway along the Susquehanna River in Owego’s historic downtown commercial district that has provided pedestrian access to the river and helped maintain river banks from flood damage.

In Ithaca, N.Y., Hinchey secured nearly $1 million to help create the City of Ithaca’s Waterfront Trail – a six-mile, multi-use trail providing an active, non-motorized transportation and recreation way connecting the community’s most popular waterfront parks and places.

In Tioga County, New York, Hinchey established the Tioga Rural Area Economic Partnership (REAP) program — an initiative which was designed to spur economic growth in the county and has delivered over $20 million in federal and state investments. A second zone in Sullivan County and Wawarsing was established. The REAP Zones in the State of New York are two of only five such areas in the entire nation.

Hinchey is the primary leader in Congress to protect drinking water and the environment from the risks of hydraulic fracturing. He is a co-author of the FRAC Act, which would mandate public disclosure of chemicals used in fracking fluid and allow the EPA to regulate fracking activities under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

In 2009, Hinchey authored the appropriations language that initiated the EPA’s current national study on hydraulic fracturing. This is the first comprehensive and independent analysis of the risks that hydraulic fracturing poses to drinking water.

Hinchey performed this work while also struggling with his health, and his recent completion of treatment for colon cancer. Hinchey talked of this, and how it has affected things for him.

“As you all know, I went through a fairly serious health challenge during this past year,” he said during his announcement on Thursday. He continued, “During that time, I received an outpouring of support, and I am forever grateful for all the well wishes and prayers I received. Such support helped get me through this. For that I am extremely fortunate. This life changing experience helped put everything in perspective for me.”

He continued to talk about these struggles, and noted, “It’s easy to get caught up in the day to day things in life, but this past year provided me with an even greater appreciation for my family, my friends, and, quite frankly, my time. So I stand here before you today, to announce that I will not seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives this fall and will retire from Congress at the conclusion of my current term.”

Upon this news, President Barack Obama, in a release, thanked Hinchey for his service.

“As a native New Yorker, Maurice Hinchey has served the people of the Empire State for over 35 years,” said President Obama in his statement. He continued, “Throughout his career Maurice has been a champion for the middle class, leading the charge for renewable energy and Wall Street reform and working tirelessly to get Americans back to work. Michelle and I join the people of New York in thanking Congressman Hinchey for his service.”

The district Congressman Hinchey served extends west from the Hudson River along New York’s southern border through Binghamton and Waverly, then north to Ithaca.

According to reports, Hinchey’s retirement is all but certain to affect negotiations between Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and legislative leaders over the new boundaries they are considering for the state’s Congressional districts.

Because New York’s population growth has not kept pace with that of other states, according to reports, its number of representatives in the House will shrink this year to 27, from 29. That means two current members of Congress will find themselves without districts once leaders in Albany complete the state’s new political maps.

Democratic and Republican leaders are hoping to reach a deal in which each party gives up one House seat.

In the meantime, Hinchey remains grateful to have served. “It’s been the greatest privilege of my life,” summed up Hinchey of his opportunity to serve.