Joe Moakley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe Moakley
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Official portrait, 1999
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| Chair of the House Rules Committee | |
| In office May 30, 1989 – January 3, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Claude Pepper |
| Succeeded by | Gerald Solomon |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 9th district |
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| In office January 3, 1973 – May 28, 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Louise Day Hicks |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Lynch |
| Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the 4th Suffolk district |
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| In office 1965–1971 |
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| Preceded by | John E. Powers |
| Succeeded by | William M. Bulger |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 7th Suffolk district |
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| In office 1953–1963 |
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| Preceded by | William F. Carr |
| Succeeded by | William M. Bulger |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Joseph Moakley
April 27, 1927 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | May 28, 2001 (aged 74) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Evelyn Duffy
(m. 1957; died 1996) |
| Education | South Boston High School Suffolk University (LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
John Joseph Moakley (born April 27, 1927 – died May 28, 2001) was an American politician. He served as a United States representative for Massachusetts from 1973 until his death in 2001. This means he represented his home state in the U.S. Congress for nearly 30 years!
Moakley was known for his work on the U.S. House Committee on Rules. He was the last Democrat to lead this important committee before another political party took control. Today, a park in Boston, Massachusetts, is named Joe Moakley Park in his honor.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Joe Moakley was born in South Boston, Massachusetts, on April 27, 1927. He grew up in a public housing project called Old Harbor.
When he was young, he joined the United States Navy during World War II. He was involved in the Pacific War from 1943 to 1946. After the war, he went to college. He studied at the University of Miami and later earned a law degree from Suffolk University Law School in Boston in 1956.
Political Career
After finishing law school, Moakley started his own law firm with a friend. He then began his long career in public service.
He served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1953 to 1963. Then, he was a member of the Massachusetts Senate from 1964 to 1970. He also served on the Boston City Council from 1971 to 1973.
In 1972, Moakley ran for a seat in the U.S. Congress. He ran as an independent candidate and won! He was sworn into Congress in January 1973. He then officially rejoined the Democratic Party. He was re-elected 14 times, meaning he served for many years. He was known for always caring deeply about the people he represented.
In 2002, after his death, he received the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award. This award recognized his efforts to help end the war in El Salvador and other parts of Central America. It also honored his dedication to his community in Massachusetts.
The Moakley Commission
Joe Moakley led a special group called the Moakley Commission. This group investigated the terrible murders of six priests and two women in El Salvador in 1989.
The Commission's report showed that some high-ranking military officials in El Salvador were involved in the murders. Because of this report, the United States stopped giving military aid to El Salvador. This was a big step towards justice.
Later Career and Legacy
Joe Moakley became the chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Rules. This committee helps decide which bills are debated and voted on in the House of Representatives. He led this committee for several years.
Many places in Boston are named after Joe Moakley and his wife, Evelyn. The Evelyn Moakley Bridge is named after his wife. The John Joseph Moakley Federal Courthouse is named after him. And, as mentioned, Joe Moakley Park in South Boston also carries his name.
Moakley also helped Bridgewater State College get a large grant. This money helped build a new technology center. The John Joseph Moakley Center for Technological Applications helps students and teachers learn about technology. It has computer labs, a TV studio, and classrooms.
Personal Life and Passing
In 2001, Joe Moakley announced he would not run for re-election. He was battling a serious illness called myelodysplastic syndrome, a type of blood disorder.
Joe Moakley passed away on May 28, 2001, in Bethesda, Maryland. He was buried in Blue Hill Cemetery in Braintree, Massachusetts.
After his death, a law was passed in 2002 called the Hematological Cancer Research Investment and Education Act. This law created the Joe Moakley Research Excellence Program. It helps fund important research into blood cancers.
See also
- 1953–1954 Massachusetts legislature
- 1955–1956 Massachusetts legislature
- List of United States Congress members who died in office (2000–)#2000s
