Edward Rell Madigan (January 13, 1936 – December 7, 1994) was an American businessman and Republican Party politician from Lincoln, Illinois. He served nearly 20 years in the United States House of Representatives and was the 24th U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President George H. W. Bush from 1991 to 1993.
Early Life and Education
Madigan was born in Lincoln, Illinois, on January 13, 1936. He attended Lincoln Junior College (now Lincoln College) and later managed the family taxicab business, the Yellow and Lincoln Cab Company, from 1958 to 1973.
Political Career
Madigan entered public service as a member of the Lincoln Board of Zoning Appeals from 1965 to 1969. He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, where he served from 1967 to 1973 representing the 47th district.
In November 1972, Madigan was elected as a Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives. He was subsequently re-elected to nine additional terms, serving from 1973 until 1991. During his congressional tenure, he represented Illinois's 21st district (1973–1983) and later the 15th district (1983–1991). He held leadership roles including Chair of the House Republican Research Committee (1981–1983) and House Republican Chief Deputy Whip (1987–1989). In 1989, Madigan narrowly lost the race for minority whip to future Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.
Secretary of Agriculture
Following the resignation of Clayton Yeutter, Madigan was appointed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, serving from March 8, 1991, to January 20, 1993. He was the first Roman Catholic to hold the position.
Death and Legacy
Madigan died of complications from lung cancer on December 7, 1994, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, at the age of 58. He and his wife, Evelyn, had three daughters.
Several institutions have been named in his honor, including the Edward R. Madigan Laboratory at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (rededicated 1995) and the Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area near Lincoln, Illinois. His younger brother, Robert Madigan, served in the Illinois State Senate for 14 years.
