Earl W. Brydges | |
|---|---|
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| Member of theNew York State Senate from the 52nd district | |
| In office 1967–1972 | |
| Preceded by | Tarky Lombardi Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Frederick L. Warder |
| Member of theNew York State Senate from the 60th district | |
| In office 1966–1966 | |
| Preceded by | Created |
| Succeeded by | Abolished |
| Member of theNew York State Senate from the 54th district | |
| In office 1955–1965 | |
| Preceded by | Stanley J. Bauer |
| Succeeded by | Theodore D. Day |
| Member of theNew York State Senate from the 52nd district | |
| In office 1949–1954 | |
| Preceded by | William Bewley |
| Succeeded by | George T. Manning |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Earl William Brydges (1905-05-25)May 25, 1905 Niagara Falls, New York, U.S. |
| Died | March 30, 1975(1975-03-30) (aged 69) Lewiston, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Eleanor C. Mahoney |
| Children | 7 |
| Alma mater | Niagara University University at Buffalo Law School |
Earl William Brydges (May 25, 1905 – March 30, 1975) was an American lawyer and politician fromNew York. He wasTemporary President and Majority Leader of the State Senate from 1966 to 1972.[1]
Earl William Brydges was born on May 25, 1905, inNiagara Falls, New York. He graduated fromNiagara University and theUniversity at Buffalo law school in 1926. Later he served for many years on Niagara University'sboard of trustees. He was admitted to the bar in 1927.[1]
Brydges served on theBoard of Education inWilson, New York, during the 1940s. He also was active in educational advocacy organizations in Western New York.[1]
He was a member of theNew York State Senate from 1949 to 1972, sitting in the167th,168th,169th,170th,171st,172nd,173rd,174th,175th,176th,177th,178th and179th New York State Legislatures.[1]
For the majority of his Senate career, Brydges focused mainly on educational policy and mental health issues. His focus within the area of mental health was on improving services for the mentally retarded and special education students. His education policy focus was on K-12 education policy statewide.[2] Brydges served as Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Mental Health.[1]
In 1965, when the Republican Party lost the majority in the State Senate for the only time since 1939, Brydges was elected Minority Leader of the Senate.[3] Court ordered voting rights redistricting lead to senators serving one year terms in 1965 and 1966. The Republican Party regained the majority in 1966, and Brydges became Majority Leader.[4] He was a delegate to theNew York State Constitutional Convention of 1967.[1]
As Majority Leader, Brydges worked closely with Gov.Nelson Rockefeller on policy development and legislation. His main focus continued on educational issues, along with upstate economic development. He worked with Rockefeller to create theState University of New York system and to develop new school state aid funding formulas. Brydges worked with Rockfeller in the creation of new state agencies and reorganization of the New York City mass transit system. As Majority Leader, Brydges remained an advocate for Western New York and tourism development inNiagara County. He was an early supporter ofcasino gambling in Niagara Falls. In 1972, Brydges successfully passed legislation to legalize casino gaming in New York State through an amendment to the state constitution. The casino amendment did not pass in the end, since the state constitution requires the passage of legislation in two consecutive legislative sessions and then passage of the majority of the state's voters in a statewide referendum. Brydges' vision in the area of casino gaming was realized with the opening of theSeneca Niagara Casino on January 1, 2003.[1]
Brydges was a fierce opponent of reproductive rights and blocked legislation to legalize abortion inNew York. In 1970, Brydges allowed the Senate to vote on legislation to legalize abortion. He did so under the belief the Senate would not pass the bill. When the Senate surprised him and passed the bill, which had already passed theAssembly and had the support of Governor Rockefeller, Brydges reportedly sat in his Senate chair and wept.[1][5]
In 1972, both Rockefeller and Lt. Gov.Malcolm Wilson left the state on the same afternoon. Under the state constitution, this made Brydges theActing Governor of New York for several hours. As acting governor, Brydges signed routine state paperwork and conducted Senate business. He did not sign any legislation into law, including a pending bill relating to Niagara Falls that he had sponsored.[1]
In 1972, Brydges did not seek reelection to the Senate and he retired on January 1, 1973.[1][6]
He married Eleanor C. Mahoney. Together, they had five sons and two daughters, including:[1]
Brydges died ofcancer in 1975 and his funeral was attended by thenVice President Rockefeller.[1] This was Rockefeller's first visit to Upstate New York as vice president.
TheEarl W. Brydges Artpark inLewiston, New York, an outdoor theater and concert center that he championed, was named in his honor. In addition, the main publiclibrary in Niagara Falls, the Earl W. Brydges Library, designed by architectPaul Rudolph, was named after him.
| New York State Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | New York State Senate 52nd District 1949–1954 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | New York State Senate 54th District 1955–1965 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by new district | New York State Senate 60th District 1966 | Succeeded by district abolished |
| Preceded by | New York State Senate 52nd District 1967–1972 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minority Leader in theNew York State Senate 1965 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Temporary President of the State Senate 1966–1972 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
