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Encyclopedia Dubuque

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MURPHY, George R.: Difference between revisions

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Despite the fact that [[WORLD WAR II]] was occurring, Mayor Murphy and the city council laid plans in July, 1943 for post-war Dubuque by having plans prepared for a water softening plant and a sewage treatment facility. The post-war programs were aimed at providing public works as a "cushion" for the anticipated economic shock after fighting had ceased. (4)
Despite the fact that [[WORLD WAR II]] was occurring, Mayor Murphy and the city council laid plans in July, 1943 for post-war Dubuque by having plans prepared for a water softening plant and a sewage treatment facility. The post-war programs were aimed at providing public works as a "cushion" for the anticipated economic shock after fighting had ceased. (4)


Following the war, the mayor took part in many activities including the Friendship Train. An idea of syndicated columnist Drew Pearson, the train in 1947 made 53 stops across the United States collecting non-perishable foods. Mayor Murphy appointed a local committee to collect food which was then taken to Clinton where the train would be stopping. (5) On December 27, 1943 Mayor Murphy of Dubuque and Mayor U. S. Lewis of East Dubuque held a ribbon which, when cut, celebrated the opening of the [[JULIEN DUBUQUE BRIDGE]]. In 1954 they stood in the same places with another ribbon. When it was cut, the bridge became a free link between the two cities for the first time. (6)
As with other mayors of Dubuque, Murphy had to deal with a serious outbreak of [[POLIO]]. In 1943 the city council was considering asking the [[POLICE DEPARTMENT]] to force parents to keep their children at home. Among local organizations affected until the disease was gone were the [[YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (Y.M.C.A.)]], [[DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB]], and [[DUBUQUE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB]] which closed their pools. (5)
 
Following the war, the mayor took part in many activities including the Friendship Train. An idea of syndicated columnist Drew Pearson, the train in 1947 made 53 stops across the United States collecting non-perishable foods. Mayor Murphy appointed a local committee to collect food which was then taken to Clinton where the train would be stopping. (6) On December 27, 1943 Mayor Murphy of Dubuque and Mayor U. S. Lewis of East Dubuque held a ribbon which, when cut, celebrated the opening of the [[JULIEN DUBUQUE BRIDGE]]. In 1954 they stood in the same places with another ribbon. When it was cut, the bridge became a free link between the two cities for the first time. (7)


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4. "Council Acts on Two After War Projects," ''Telegraph Herald'', July 7, 1943, p. 1
4. "Council Acts on Two After War Projects," ''Telegraph Herald'', July 7, 1943, p. 1


5. "Kiwanis Club Local Sponsor," ''Telegraph Herald'', November 9, 1947, p. 11
5. "Study Ways to Prevent Polio Wave," ''Telegraph Herald'', August 25, 1943, p. 1
 
6. "Kiwanis Club Local Sponsor," ''Telegraph Herald'', November 9, 1947, p. 11


6. "Ceremony of 1943 Serves as Pattern," ''Telegraph Herald'', December 12, 1954, p. 11
7. "Ceremony of 1943 Serves as Pattern," ''Telegraph Herald'', December 12, 1954, p. 11


[[Category:Politician]]
[[Category:Politician]]

Revision as of 01:20, 23 March 2017

MURPHY.jpg

MURPHY, George R. (Unknown--Pittsburgh, PA, May 3, 1978). MAYOR. An employee of LORAS COLLEGE for many years, Murphy served as mayor of Dubuque from 1939-1940. In 1943 beginning his third consecutive three-year term on the Dubuque City Council, Murphy was selected by the council to again serve as mayor. Murphy was the first member of the council under the city-manager form to be elected to three consecutive three-year terms. (1) He also served three terms as mayor and retired from the council in 1950. Murphy was a member of the Quarter Century Club at Loras and a former member of the AIRPORT Commission.

In October, 1942 the Airport Committee of the Chamber of Commerce asked the city to sponsor a Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) grant for a new airport south of the city. The cost of the finished project was expected to be $1,125,000 of which the city would be asked to furnish $180,000 unless, after the initial work had been finished, the War Department considered the airport valuable to the war effort and agreed to complete the work. (2)

In November 1942 voters authorized the city council to establish an annual levy not exceeding 3/4 of a mill for the purchase of a site in Table Mound Township for the development, maintenance, and operation of an airport. The city was assured of a Works Progress Administration grant for this construction. Following the election, all WPA activities were halted by presidential order. CAA officials associated with the NAVY flying program at LORAS COLLEGE had inspected the site and believed a CAA grant for the airport could be arranged. Acting on this, the city council authorized the mayor to appoint a committee from the council and other city officials to contact federal agencies regarding a grant. During the second week of June, 1943 the mayor, solicitor, and manager contacted Navy officials in Minneapolis, Minnesota; CAA officials in Kansas City, Missouri; United States Senators Gillette and George Wilson; and Congressman Talle in Washington, D. C. Following the long distance calls, the grant was made. (3)

Despite the fact that WORLD WAR II was occurring, Mayor Murphy and the city council laid plans in July, 1943 for post-war Dubuque by having plans prepared for a water softening plant and a sewage treatment facility. The post-war programs were aimed at providing public works as a "cushion" for the anticipated economic shock after fighting had ceased. (4)

As with other mayors of Dubuque, Murphy had to deal with a serious outbreak of POLIO. In 1943 the city council was considering asking the POLICE DEPARTMENT to force parents to keep their children at home. Among local organizations affected until the disease was gone were the YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (Y.M.C.A.), DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB, and DUBUQUE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB which closed their pools. (5)

Following the war, the mayor took part in many activities including the Friendship Train. An idea of syndicated columnist Drew Pearson, the train in 1947 made 53 stops across the United States collecting non-perishable foods. Mayor Murphy appointed a local committee to collect food which was then taken to Clinton where the train would be stopping. (6) On December 27, 1943 Mayor Murphy of Dubuque and Mayor U. S. Lewis of East Dubuque held a ribbon which, when cut, celebrated the opening of the JULIEN DUBUQUE BRIDGE. In 1954 they stood in the same places with another ribbon. When it was cut, the bridge became a free link between the two cities for the first time. (7)

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Source:

1. "Mayor Again," Telegraph Herald, April 6, 1943, p. 1

2. "Discuss New Airport Here," Telegraph Herald, October 6, 1942, p. 2

3. Untitled article, Telegraph Herald, June 15, 1943, p. 4

4. "Council Acts on Two After War Projects," Telegraph Herald, July 7, 1943, p. 1

5. "Study Ways to Prevent Polio Wave," Telegraph Herald, August 25, 1943, p. 1

6. "Kiwanis Club Local Sponsor," Telegraph Herald, November 9, 1947, p. 11

7. "Ceremony of 1943 Serves as Pattern," Telegraph Herald, December 12, 1954, p. 11