A Tribute to Amo Houghton | Leader, Advocate, and Pioneer
Amory “Amo” Houghton, Jr was a man of extraordinary accomplishments who over his lifetime brought leadership, skill, and humanity to all he touched. Born into wealth generated by vision and technological innovation, he had a successful business career for more than 30 years in the company his great-great grandfather started in 1851 – Corning Glassworks – where he went from junior accountant to Chairman and CEO over 35 years. In 1986, he made a significant pivot,. running for Congress and becoming a member of the House of Representative, where he served until 2005.
He died five years ago today, on March 4, 2020.
The young man of 33 we see in the elegant photo attached was taken by the renowned photographer, Yousuf Karsh, and discovered after Amo’s death by his son. It would presage his manner, purpose, and course of his life in which he left behind not only significant business accomplishments, but even more importantly, an outstanding record of legislative accomplishments. While in Congress, he mostly voted with Republican on budget, but on matters of the environment., civil rights, and support for the arts and education he worked across the aisle.
This included cooperating and collaborating on many pieces of legislation with his dear friend and Congressional colleague, John Lewis. It was their enduring camaraderie and shared values that sustained 40 years of effective legislating on common issues. Yet Amo’s own leadership on many other items earned him the trust of both parties, largely because of his own fairness and his staunch support of civility between the parties.
As a strong advocate for The American Road, we especially treasure and honor his life and legacy on this anniversary of his passing.
