Martin J. Dunn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Martin J. Dunn
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| Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the Hampden and Hampshire District | |
| In office January 1991 – 1993 |
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| Preceded by | John P. Burke |
| Succeeded by | Shannon O'Brien |
| 39th Mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts | |
| In office 1987 – February 6, 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Ernest E. Proulx |
| Succeeded by | Joseph M. McGivern |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 9, 1956 Holyoke, Massachusetts |
| Died | September 11, 2020 (aged 64) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Relations | Maurice A. Donahue (uncle) |
| Alma mater | Columbia University Suffolk University Law School |
Martin John Dunn (March 9, 1956 – September 11, 2020) was an American lawyer and politician. He served as the Mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts, and later as a state senator in Massachusetts. Dunn was Mayor of Holyoke for two terms. After that, he was elected to the Massachusetts Senate, where he served one term before deciding not to run again.
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Early Life and Education
Martin John Dunn was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, on March 9, 1956. He finished high school in 1974. He then went to Mount Herman Academy in 1975. Later, he studied at Columbia University, graduating in 1979. He continued his education at Suffolk University Law School, finishing in 1982.
Becoming Mayor of Holyoke
Before becoming mayor, Dunn served as an alderman, which is like a city council member, in Holyoke, Massachusetts. He held this position for two terms.
In 1987, Dunn decided to run for Mayor of Holyoke. He competed against two other candidates in the first round of voting. He came in first, beating the current mayor, Ernest E. Proulx. Dunn then won the main election against Proulx. He was reelected as mayor in 1989 for a second term.
During his time as mayor, some interesting events happened. In 1988, the city's board of aldermen voted not to officially welcome actress Jane Fonda when she visited to film a movie. Mayor Dunn thought this decision was not good for the city.
Serving in the Massachusetts Senate
In 1990, the state senator for Holyoke, John P. Burke, announced he would not run for reelection. Martin Dunn decided to run for this open seat. This was the same seat that his uncle, Maurice A. Donahue, had held before.
Dunn won the Democratic Party's nomination. He then won the general election against the Republican candidate, Walter R. Bilski.
Dunn officially became a Massachusetts State Senator in January 1991. He then resigned from his position as Mayor of Holyoke on February 6, 1991. The City Council President, Joseph M. McGivern, took over as acting mayor. As a senator, Dunn was appointed to the Local Affairs committee. He also became the chairman of the School committee. In 1992, Dunn decided not to run for reelection. That same year, the Massachusetts Teachers' Association named him "Legislator of the Year." This award recognized his excellent work as a lawmaker.
Later Life and Achievements
After leaving the State Senate, Dunn continued to work in public service. In 1994, he became a staff attorney in the Massachusetts Senate counsel's office.
Later in his life, Dunn received several honors. In 2015, the Holyoke Democratic Committee gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2018, he received a medal from the St. Thomas More Society. Martin J. Dunn passed away on September 11, 2020.
