Senator Edward Joseph Breen View All Years

EDWARD J. BREEN

MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee appointed to prepare a suitable Resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Honorable Edward J. Breen begs leave to submit the following memorial:

Edward J. Breen was born in Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa on March 18, 1899. He became a resident of Fort Dodge in 1903 and graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1916. Mr. Breen later attended the University of Wisconsin from which he obtained his bachelor’s degree, and Drake University from which he obtained his law degree. He married Elizabeth Loomis in 1923, who preceded him in death in 1960. In 1963 Mr. Breen married Mrs. Amelia Byram of Alexandria, Louisiana.

Active throughout his entire life in a variety of civic and cultural affairs, Edward Breen was a promoter of the Belle Kendall Memorial Playhouse, charter member of the Webster County Conservation Board, member of the Fort Dodge Betterment Foundation, member of the Fort Dodge Chamber of Commerce, member of the Fort Dodge Historical Association and chairman of the Community Chest.

Mr. Breen entered the practice of law in 1930 with his older brother, the late Maurice Breen, in Fort Dodge. He ran for and was elected to the post of Webster County Attorney in 1932 and served in that position until 1936. He also founded radio station KVFD in 1939 and the Northwest Television Company and station KQTV in 1953.

Edward Breen was president of the Young Democratic Clubs of Iowa during the years 1933 and 1934, and was a national committeeman from 1935 until 1937. In 1936 he was elected to the Iowa Senate and served as Minority Leader during the latter portion of his first term.

Mr. Breen died at the age of 79 on June 15, 1978. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Alan V. Breen of Topeka, Kansas; Fred E. Breen of Fort Dodge; three daughters, Diane Burch of Fort Dodge; Cynthia Warner of Cedar Rapids and Susan Breen of New York City; a stepson, Dr. James Byram of Massachusetts; eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-seventh General Assembly of Iowa, That in the passing of the Honorable Edward J. Breen, the state has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant; and that the Senate by this Resolution expresses its appreciation for his service to his community, state and nation and tenders its sympathy and sincerest regard to the members of his family; and

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the Journal of the Senate and that the Secretary of the Senate be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

C. JOSEPH COLEMAN, Chairperson

JOHN N. NYSTROM

BERL E. PRIEBE

Committee

The resolution was unanimously adopted.