Joseph Crapa, 63, Head of Religious Freedom Commission
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The executive director of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom since 2002, Joseph Crapa, died yesterday at 63 after a struggle with cancer. Prior to his position at the commission, Crapa, a Brooklyn native, was the chief of staff for Senator Schumer. He also served as the chief of staff for Rep. David Obey, a Democrat of Wisconsin and the current chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
Crapa graduated from Cathedral College Preparatory Seminary, received a B.A. from St. John’s University, an M.A. from Duke University, and a Ph.D. at the University of Arizona, where he was a National Defense Teaching Fellow. “Joe brought an indomitable spirit and determination to his work that I saw first-hand during his time as Chief of Staff to Senator Schumer when we fought together to secure funding for New York in the aftermath of 9/11. Joe’s passing is a tremendous loss and he will be dearly missed by all of us who had the privilege to know and work with him,” Senator Clinton said in a statement. Crapa is survived by his wife, Barbara, a son, Judd, a daughter-in-law, Gretchen, and two grandsons, Sebastian and Baird.
