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Permanent LinkSenator George E. O’Malley View All Years
GEORGE E. O’MALLEY
MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Honorable George E. O’Malley, begs leave to submit the following memorial:
George E. O’Malley was born in Bouton, Dallas County, Iowa, September 18, 1905. He passed away on May 8, 1982, at his home in Des Moines, Iowa;
Senator O’Malley attended high school in Perry, Iowa, and earned undergraduate and law degrees from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He started practicing law in Des Moines in 1930 as a member of the Connolly, O’Malley, Lillis and Hansen law firm and was acting city solicitor for Des Moines for two years in the 1930’s. Mr. O’Malley married Grace Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska on May 20, 1933. They were the parents of eight sons: Patrick, Bernard, Michael, John, Dennis, Richard, Brian and Joseph; and two daughters, Jean Bailey and Kathleen Balduchi.
Senator O’Malley served for twenty-two years in the Iowa Legislature. Two years as a member of the House of Representatives (53rd General Assembly, 1949-1950) and twenty years as a state senator (1951-1970), serving as the minority floor leader during the 55th and 58th General Assemblies and as President pro tempore during the 61st and 62nd General Assemblies.
Senator O’Malley was recognized as an influential state sentaor during his years in the legislature and personified the kind of representation that can benefit the diverse interests congregated in an urban area while he served Polk County in state government.
Mr. O’Malley was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Dowling Club; Serra Club; Knights of Columbus; former state co-chair of the National Conference of Christians and Jews; and, a former president of the Board of Trustees of the University of Iowa School of Medicine. For a time during World War II he was chief enforcement attorney in Iowa for the Office of Price Administration, a federal agency.
Now Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Seventieth General Assembly of Iowa; That in the passing of the Honorable George E. O’Malley, the State has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and that the Senate, by this resolution, expresses its appreciation of his service to his community, state and nation and tenders its sympathy and kindest regards to members of his family.
Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be entered into the Journal of the Senate and that the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to forward an enrolled copy to each member of Senator O’Malley’s family.
GEORGE R. KINLEY, Chair
WILLIAM D. PALMER
DAVID M. READINGER
Committee