Keogh, Eugene J. (Eugene James), 1907-1989

Congressman.

Eugene James Keogh (1907-1989) was born in Brooklyn and, as a lifelong resident of Bushwick, he went to Frankin K. Lane High School. He attended New York University School of Commerce. After that, Keogh taught for the next three years in the New York City Public School system; he then clerked for the New York City Board of Transporation. An evening law student, Keogh graduated from Fordham Law School in 1930. Keogh served as a law clerk and was soon admitted to the New York Bar Association. At the age of 29 Keogh entered Congress as its youngest member. In 1943, House Speaker Sam Rayburn appointed Keogh as Chairman of the House Pensions Committee. He legislated tax breaks for single and married couples with separate households; he also worked on pension legislation for the disabled, war veterans, and civil servants. Keogh's legislative work earned him respect among colleagues and constituents. Between 1951 and 1962, Congressman Keogh fought for passage of his H.R 10 Self Employment Retirement Act to provide the self employed retirement savings tax free until withdrawals. On October 10, 1962 Presdient Kennedy signed H.R. 10 (87-792) into Public Law, the Self Employed Indivual Tax Retirement Act. The name Keogh would become synonymous with self employed retirement plans.

Politician.

Keogh was a New York State Assemblyman, 1935-1936, and a U.S. Representative, 1937-1967. He is known for the Keogh Plan.