1. Earl William Brydges was an American lawyer and politician from New York.
23 Facts About Earl Brydges
1. 2.
Earl Brydges was Temporary President and Majority Leader of the State Senate from 1966 to 1972.
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Earl William Brydges was born on May 25,1905, in Niagara Falls, New York.
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Earl Brydges graduated from Niagara University and the University at Buffalo law school in 1926.
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Earl Brydges was active in educational advocacy organizations in Western New York.
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Earl Brydges was a member of the New York State Senate from 1949 to 1972, sitting in the 167th, 168th, 169th, 170th, 171st, 172nd, 173rd, 174th, 175th, 176th, 177th, 178th and 179th New York State Legislatures.
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Earl Brydges's focus within the area of mental health was on improving services for the mentally retarded and special education students.
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Earl Brydges served as Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Mental Health.
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In 1965, when the Republican Party lost the majority in the State Senate for the only time since 1939, Earl Brydges was elected Minority Leader of the Senate.
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The Republican Party regained the majority in 1966, and Earl Brydges became Majority Leader.
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Earl Brydges was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1967.
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Earl Brydges's main focus continued on educational issues, along with upstate economic development.
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Earl Brydges worked with Rockefeller to create the State University of New York system and to develop new school state aid funding formulas.
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Earl Brydges worked with Rockfeller in the creation of new state agencies and reorganization of the New York City mass transit system.
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Earl Brydges was an early supporter of casino gambling in Niagara Falls.
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In 1972, Earl Brydges successfully passed legislation to legalize casino gaming in New York State through an amendment to the state constitution.
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Earl Brydges was a fierce opponent of reproductive rights and blocked legislation to legalize abortion in New York.
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In 1970, Earl Brydges allowed the Senate to vote on legislation to legalize abortion.
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Earl Brydges did so under the belief the Senate would not pass the bill.
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Under the state constitution, this made Earl Brydges the Acting Governor of New York for several hours.
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Earl Brydges did not sign any legislation into law, including a pending bill relating to Niagara Falls that he had sponsored.
22.
In 1972, Earl Brydges did not seek reelection to the Senate and he retired on January 1,1973.
23.
Earl Brydges died of cancer in 1975 and his funeral was attended by then Vice President Rockefeller.