Daniel Reed

Daniel Reed was an American politician and former U.S. Representative from New York, serving as a member of the Republican Party. His congressional career spanned over four decades, beginning in 1919 and concluding with his death in 1959. Reed was known for his conservative stance on various issues and held significant leadership roles within the House of Representatives, including chairmanships of several important committees. In addition to his political career, he had a background in law and college football coaching.

Early life and career

Daniel Alden Reed was born on September 15, 1875, in Sheridan, New York. He received his early education in the public schools of Sheridan and Silver Creek, New York. Reed pursued higher education at Cornell University, where he graduated in 1898. During his time at Cornell, he was an active member of the Delta Chi fraternity and the Quill and Dagger society, which are indicative of his involvement in campus life and leadership.

After completing his degree, Reed studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1900. He began his legal career practicing in Silver Creek before moving to Dunkirk, New York. His legal expertise led him to serve as an attorney for the New York State Excise Department from 1903 to 1909. In addition to his legal work, Reed was involved in the Dunkirk Trust Company as a member of its board of directors, where he contributed to the financial sector of his community.

Reed's career was not limited to law; he also had a notable involvement in sports. He played college football at Cornell and later transitioned into coaching. His coaching career included stints at the University of Cincinnati, Pennsylvania State University, and Cornell University. He achieved a commendable coaching record, leading teams to successful seasons and establishing a reputation in collegiate athletics.

During World War I, Reed was appointed as one of the commissioners sent to France by the federal government. His mission was to study the food shortages that were affecting the war effort, which later informed a lecture tour he conducted in the United States on the importance of food conservation.

House tenure

Reed's political career began when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1918 as a Republican, representing New York's 43rd congressional district. He officially took office on March 4, 1919, and remained in Congress until his death on February 19, 1959. Throughout his tenure, Reed was reelected 20 times, reflecting a strong support base in his district.

During his time in the House, Reed held several prominent leadership positions. He served as the chairman of the Committee on Industrial Arts and Expositions during the Sixty-eighth Congress. He later chaired the Committee on Education for the Sixty-ninth through Seventy-first Congresses, where he played a role in shaping educational policy. In the Eighty-third Congress, he chaired the Committee on Ways and Means, a critical committee responsible for taxation and revenue-related legislation. Additionally, he served as chairman of the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation during the same Congress.

Reed was also active in international parliamentary relations, serving as a delegate to the Interparliamentary Union meeting in Rome in 1948. His involvement extended to subsequent meetings in Sweden, Switzerland, and France, where he engaged with international lawmakers on various issues.

Legislative focus and committees

Throughout his congressional career, Reed was recognized as one of the more conservative members of the New York delegation. His voting record reflected a strong alignment with conservative principles, often earning him low scores from organizations advocating for more progressive policies, such as Americans for Democratic Action. Reed was notably one of the few isolationists remaining in Congress after World War II, indicating his reluctance to engage in international conflicts and support for a more restrained foreign policy.

Reed's legislative focus included a mix of education, taxation, and civil rights issues. While he was one of the few Republicans who opposed efforts to ban the poll tax through legislative means, he did support anti-lynching legislation and voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, indicating a complex stance on civil rights matters.

Reed's long-standing service in Congress and his leadership roles in various committees allowed him to influence significant legislation during a transformative period in American history. His contributions to the House of Representatives were marked by a commitment to his constituents and a dedication to the principles he espoused.

Daniel Reed passed away from a major heart attack in Washington, D.C., on February 19, 1959. He was interred at Sheridan Cemetery in his hometown of Sheridan, New York. In recognition of his contributions, the library at the State University of New York at Fredonia was named in his honor, reflecting his lasting impact on the community and the state. Reed's extensive career in public service and his involvement in both local and national issues underscore his role as a significant figure in American politics during the 20th century.