Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
WALSH, John
WALSH, John. (Tennyson, WI, Mar. 14, 1940--Dubuque, IA, Nov. 27, 2023). In 1965 during the VIETNAM WAR, Walsh organized "Operation We Care," a Dubuque-based program that sent Christmas gifts to American service personnel on the war front. (1)
Walsh was elected to the Iowa Senate in 1966. In 1967 he was one of the organizers of Iowa Lends a Hand, a project to help the people of South Vietnam. Walsh met with both civilian and military leaders to insure delivery of material manufactured in Iowa to help the Vietnamese rebuild their homes and villages. He hoped the collection of hammers, shovels, paint, school supplies,sewing kits, and money made in each Iowa county would help bring an earlier end to the VIETNAM WAR. Vietnamese soldiers concerned about their families, according to Walsh, would feel better about fighting if they knew their families were receiving aid. (2)
Walsh served in the Iowa Senate from 1967 to 1973 as a Republican. He was the first Republican legislator from Dubuque County since PROHIBITION. (3)
Losing a close political campaign against Michael BLOUIN in 1972, Walsh returned to Dubuque and the family business as manager of the WALSH STORE. He worked actively to secure Amtrak service to Dubuque and participated in the transportation task force of the Dubuque Chamber of Commerce. Walsh was also recognized locally for his strong work on behalf of the Tri-County Board of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and the Fautsch Alcoholism Treatment Center. (4)
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Source:
1. "Iowa Lends-A-Hand" to Viet," Telegraph Herald, May 14, 1967, p. 1
2. "Walsh Going to Vietnam to Pave Way for Lends a Hand," Telegraph Herald, December 24, 1967, p. 1
3. "Senator John M. Walsh," Online: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=63&personID=403
4. "Walsh Wants Senate Post Back," Telegraph-Herald, March 16, 1980, p. 6