Excerpt from the '1974 American Bar Association Reports,' page 179-80

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Report on the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws

Harold E. Read, Jr., of Connecticut, the President of the Conference, moved for approval of the Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act. Mr. Read informed the House that the Act, as amended after negotiation with the Section of Family Law, allows for the dissolution of a marriage on the grounds of irretrievable breakdown, defined by the Conference as serious marital discord adversely affecting the attitude of one or both of the parties of the marriage.

.... Ralph J. Podell of Wisconsin, Last Retiring Chairman of the Section of Family Law, received unanimous consent to speak in opposition to the portions of the Act which dealt with divorce.

.... The term, "irretrievable breakdown" used in the Act was vague and overly broad and the Section continues its opposition to granting divorce on these grounds.

Albert E. Jenner, Jr. of Illinois, Chairman of the Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities, reported that the Council of his Section had voted unanimously to support the Uniform Act as drafted by the Conference.

The Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act was then approved by the House by standing vote of 136 to 105.