Gerald Brooks Hunt Solomon (August 14, 1930 – October 26, 2001) was an American businessman and politician most notable for his long service as a member of the United States House of Representatives in New York. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserve, and a successful insurance and investment broker, Solomon entered politics as a Democrat when he was elected town supervisor of Queensbury in 1968. He became a Republican in his first term, and won election to the New York State Assembly as a Republican in 1972. After three terms in the Assembly, Solomon won election to the U.S. House. He became a high-profile advocate on defense and veterans' issues, and was best known for passage of his Solomon Amendment, which prohibited federal funding to colleges and universities that banned military recruiters from their campuses. After Republicans won control of the House in the 1994 elections, Solomon challenged Newt Gingrich for Speaker, but withdrew when it became clear that Gingrich had the support of majority of the Republican caucus. Solomon became chairman of the House Rules Committee, a post he held from 1995 until retiring from the House in 1999. He was succeeded by fellow Republican John E. Sweeney. After leaving Congress, Solomon operated a lobbying and strategic consulting firm. He died in Queensbury on October 26, 2001. He was buried at the national veterans cemetery in Schuylerville, New York; he had spearheaded efforts to create the facility, which was named in his honor after his death. Early life Solomon was born in Okeechobee, Florida, the son of Eugenia and Daniel Hunt. He was raised by his mother and stepfather, Seymour Solomon, and his family moved to New York when he was 15. He attended school in Florida and Delmar, New York, and graduated from Delmar's Bethlehem Central High School in 1948. He attended Siena College from 1949 to 1950 and St. Lawrence University from 1953 to 1954. Start of career Military service Solomon attempted to join the 1st Engineer Company of the United States Marine Corps Reserve in Albany, New York during the Korean War in 1950, but was deemed ineligible because of a childhood illness. He tried to enlist again in 1951 and was accepted. From 1951 to 1952, Solomon was a radio operator assigned to the 2nd Marine Division and stationed aboard the helicopter carrier USS Siboney in the Atlantic