Berkley Bedell

Berkley Bedell was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974 and served his northwest Iowa district until 1987 when he retired from Congress due to a severe case of Lyme disease.  At about the same time he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

 

After successfully overcoming his illnesses through non-traditional treatments, he founded The National Foundation for Alternative Medicine.  He continues as its chair and is active in guiding the Washington, D.C. based foundation.

 

Berkley was a member of the famous post-Watergate congressional class of 75 Democrats, known as one of the most influential freshman classes ever.  In Congress his interests included agriculture, commerce and foreign affairs.  He chaired the House subcommittee on Department Operations, Research and Foreign Agriculture, and the Small Business Subcommittee. 

 

Before election to Congress, Berkley operated an international fishing tackle and supplies business.  He started Berkley Fly Co. as a 16-year-old by tying flies in his bedroom and selling them to bait shops near his Spirit Lake, Iowa, home.  The business is now Pure Fishing and includes well-known brands Berkley Trilene line, Lightning rods, Gulp! bait, Abu Garcia reels, and Shakespeare rods, reels and Xtools.

 

Berkley attended Iowa State University in Ames.  He left in 1942 to join the U.S. Army where he was a first lieutenant and flight instructor.

 

He believes solutions to the world’s problems can be found but that we must not limit ourselves by thinking inside preconceived boxes.            

Comments

[Bob Hopkins]

I used to sell you polypropylene for the living hinge of your tackle boxes when I was a sales rep for Shell Plastics (part of Shell Chemical) in the 1966-1969 time frame. I called on Ray Hillary and Pearl Anderson in your purchasing department. Congratulations on your lifetime of good work and your support of the Bedell Family YMCA. As a retiree, I volunteer much time at the Sussex County YMCA in NJ. The YMCA Strong Kids Campaign provides much opportunity for those that otherwise could not afford it.

Bob Hopkins
swimsmart@yahoo.com
Sparta, NJ

[Peter Dykstra, Glen Rock, NJ]

Mr. Bedell,

I've just found your blog. Saturday my wife and I happened to meet Rep. Bill Pascrell at a Habitat for Humanity event in Paterson, NJ. Today she invited Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen to visit her students at Pequannock Valley Middle School. This happenstance made me think of Congressmen I have met. In 1976 or so I was editor of the Alton Democrat and interviewed you. So I thought I'd look you up.

I was surprised and delighted to find your blog, impressed by its good sense, and wish you well with your book project.

[Berkley Bedell]

Dear Valerie,
Thanks for your nice reply to my blog.
We have recently changed the name of our Foundation from The National Foundation for Alternative Medicine to The Foundation for Alternative and Integrative Medicine. (FAIM) You might be interested in our web page at FAIM.org.
I would be interested in knowing more about the treatment you found for your Lyme disease, and would love to hear further from you. My E-mail address is; Berkley.bedell@gmail.com
Happy New Year!! Berkley

[Valerie Pesce]

Dear Mr. Bedell,

What you are doing is beyond wonderful. I too was diagnosed with Lymes disease. It took doctors two years to figure it out. When they told me I was relieved that it was only a little insect bit. I was mistaken - it destroyed my life. I worked in the financial district in Manhattan, flew planes, sailed, rode horses etc. and it all came to a screeching hault (because of this little insect). I lost everything. What made it even worse was going from doctor to doctor to be filled up with yet another precrition that did way more harm than good. I don't know what was worse the Lymes disease or the prescriptions. Some of the prescriptions I was given were for pain management and extremely additive. Thank God I had the fortitude not to take them. Otherwise today, I would have Lyme's disease and be addicted to them.

Since this experience I to have searched herbal, alternative medicines. This is also tough, because a lot do not work. But I have found something very interesting and although it was not designed for Lyme's disease it is an extremely powerful and safe treatment that has has helped me tremendously because it naturally boosts the immune system. Through a friend of mine we have contacted the doctor who has created it and want to get involved with this company. How can I go about this, do you have any suggestions? Does the National Foundation of Alternative Medicine have any channels to assist. It is herbal and has so many benefits. During my illness I have come across so many people that are being treated with unnessary precriptions that do little or more harm. I thank you for what you are doing and wish you well on your Journey. Valerie

[Berkley Bedell]

Dear Eric, I am sorry that I cannot be of much help to you. I sold the company to my children, and finally they sold it to a large corporation. We made no plastic lures while I was with the company, and I have no connecitons with the company now. Good luck, and good fishing! Berkley

[Eric Zingler]

Berkeley:

We are just starting out in the fish lure business. Can you recommend a reliable plastic fish lure manufacturer?--or tell us who to call or e-mail?

[Larry Ramey]

Thanks for letting me know about this wonderful blog, Berkley. I will check in regularly for thought-provoking insight from you and the participants.

[davejudynixon]

Judy and I enjoyed your Christmas letter. We sent cards to both the Iowa and Florida addresses but both were returned.

We have been in Michigan six years, but remained linked to Iowa by way of our friends, relatives, and our lake house in Emmetsburg. Last week we visited our friends Doc and State Representative Marcie Frevert.

As President of Monroe County Community College, I have had a great relationship with your former colleage Congressman John Dingell. I will have lunch with him tomorrow and let him know of your Blog. Such a good idea. He has been very good to Judy and I. Most importantly, he has done a great deal for his district, including the fact that he achieved National Park status for our local Battlefield from the WAr of 1812. In addition, he was successful in preserving more than 100 acres along Lake Erie in addition to similar resrerves in our Monroe County.

I would have preferred a presidency in Iowa, but southeast Michigan has been a good fit.

The best to you and Elinor. Thanks for including us on the mailing list that took us to your the Berkleybedellblog.com
David E. Nixon, President, Monroe County Community College.

[Rueben P Job]

It is good to see your blog and to see that your efforts in past years to make our world a better, safer, healthier place, continue today! Congratulations, Best Wishes, and Keep it up!
dakotajob

[Guitarman]

I was proud to vote for you when I moved into your district.