Paul Cellucci facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Cellucci
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| 27th United States Ambassador to Canada | |
| In office April 17, 2001 – March 18, 2005 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Gordon Giffin |
| Succeeded by | David Wilkins |
| 69th Governor of Massachusetts | |
| In office January 7, 1999 – April 10, 2001 Acting: July 29, 1997 – January 7, 1999 |
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| Lieutenant | Jane Swift |
| Preceded by | Bill Weld |
| Succeeded by | Jane Swift (acting) |
| 68th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts | |
| In office January 3, 1991 – January 7, 1999 |
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| Governor | Bill Weld |
| Preceded by | Evelyn Murphy |
| Succeeded by | Jane Swift |
| Minority Whip of the Massachusetts Senate | |
| In office January 4, 1989 – January 1, 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Lucile Hicks |
| Succeeded by | Mary L. Padula |
| Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the Middlesex and Worcester district |
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| In office January 2, 1985 – January 2, 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Chester Atkins |
| Succeeded by | Robert Durand |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives |
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| In office January 5, 1977 – January 2, 1985 |
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| Preceded by | Wilfred Balthazar |
| Succeeded by | Patricia Walrath |
| Constituency |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Argeo Paul Cellucci
April 24, 1948 Hudson, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | June 8, 2013 (aged 65) Hudson, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
| Resting place | Forestvale Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Jan Garnett
(m. 1972) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Boston College (BA, JD) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1970–1978 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit |  Reserves |
Paul Cellucci (born Argeo Paul Cellucci; April 24, 1948 – June 8, 2013) was an American politician and diplomat. He was a member of the Republican Party. He served as the 69th governor of Massachusetts from 1999 to 2001.
Before becoming governor, he was the 68th lieutenant governor from 1991 to 1999. He also served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate. From 2001 to 2005, he was the United States Ambassador to Canada.
In 1997, Paul Cellucci became the acting governor when Governor Bill Weld resigned. He was then elected governor in 1998. He served until 2001, when he became the U.S. Ambassador to Canada under President George W. Bush. He held this important job until 2005.
Contents
Early Life and Political Beginnings
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Paul Cellucci was born in Hudson, Massachusetts. His family had a history in politics. His father's family came from Italy, and his mother's family was from Ireland.
He went to Hudson Catholic High School. Then he studied at Boston College, earning a bachelor's degree in 1970 and a law degree in 1973. He married Jan Garnett in 1972, and they had two daughters. He also served in the United States Army Reserve from 1970 to 1978, reaching the rank of Captain.
Cellucci was a Republican. He never lost an election during his 30 years in public office in Massachusetts. This is special because Massachusetts usually votes for Democrats. He started his political career in 1970 on the Hudson Charter Commission. He then served on the Hudson Board of Selectmen from 1971 to 1977.
In 1976, he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He served there until 1985. After that, he became a member of the Massachusetts Senate from 1985 to 1991. From 1991 to 1999, he was the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts.
Serving as Governor of Massachusetts
Paul Cellucci became the Governor of Massachusetts in 1997. This happened when Governor Bill Weld stepped down. On November 3, 1998, Cellucci was elected governor. He won against Democratic attorney general Scott Harshbarger. He was sworn in as the 69th Governor of Massachusetts on January 7, 1999.
Cellucci was known for being careful with state money and against raising taxes. However, he was also able to work well with the Democratic-controlled state legislature. In 2001, the Cato Institute gave him an "A" grade. They said he had the best record for cutting taxes and controlling spending among all governors.
Governor Cellucci led an effort to lower the state income tax from 5.95% to 5%. Voters in Massachusetts approved this in November 2000.
He also worked to keep high education standards for students. These standards required students to pass exams in math and English to get a high school diploma. Teachers' unions wanted to make these standards weaker. But Cellucci worked with Democratic leaders to keep them strong.
Massachusetts students score very well on federal tests. This shows the success of these standards. However, in 2000, Cellucci signed a bill that lowered the standard for special education. This made it a lower standard for students with disabilities.
One big issue during his time as governor was the high costs of the "Big Dig". This was a huge project to build tunnels in Boston. Cellucci replaced the project manager and put Andrew Natsios in charge.
In 1998, Cellucci signed one of the toughest gun control laws in the United States. He also took a strong stance against crime. In 2000, he suggested changing the Massachusetts constitution to stop felons from voting. This change was approved by voters.
Cellucci appointed many women to important positions. One notable appointment was Margaret H. Marshall. She became the first female Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. This was the first time a woman led a branch of government in Massachusetts history.
Becoming U.S. Ambassador to Canada
On April 10, 2001, Paul Cellucci resigned as governor. President George W. Bush nominated him to be the U.S. Ambassador to Canada. The U.S. Senate approved his appointment. Jane Swift became the governor after him. She was the first woman in Massachusetts history to hold that office.
On April 17, 2001, Cellucci officially became the 27th United States Ambassador to Canada. He presented his credentials to Governor General Adrienne Clarkson in Quebec City.
His four years as ambassador were a very important time for relations between the United States and Canada. On September 14, 2001, just three days after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Ambassador Cellucci thanked Canada. He thanked them for their great support and sympathy. This included Canada's help in Operation Yellow Ribbon, where they welcomed many diverted planes.
In the years after the attacks, the U.S. and Canada worked closely together. They cooperated on the Smart Border Agreement. Their law enforcement and intelligence agencies worked to prevent terrorist attacks. They also worked together in Afghanistan against the Taliban.
On March 25, 2003, Cellucci gave a speech in Toronto. He caused some debate when he criticized Canada's decision not to join the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. He said America was fighting for its own safety. He also said the U.S. would "never hesitate" to support Canada if it faced a threat. Some people thought his words were not well-chosen.
He also supported Canada joining the U.S. missile defense program. He urged Canada to spend more on defense. These statements were sometimes seen as threats about trade. This led some to jokingly call him "the U.S. ambassador-turned-proconsul". Canada later decided not to join the U.S. missile defense program.
Cellucci officially left his role as ambassador on March 17, 2005.
Life After Public Service
After leaving his ambassador role, Paul Cellucci joined Magna Entertainment Corporation in March 2005. He was hired to help change horse racing rules in the U.S. In September 2005, Cellucci published a book called Unquiet Diplomacy. It was a memoir about his time as ambassador. In the book, he called Canada "a truly great nation." But he also had some criticisms for the Canadian governments at the time.
Around the same time, Cellucci gave an interview about the case of Maher Arar. Arar was a Canadian citizen who was sent to Syria by the U.S. without Canada's knowledge. Cellucci admitted that it was unfair that a Canadian citizen was sent to a third country without talking to Canada first. As a result, the U.S. and Canada agreed to tell each other if they plan to send a citizen of the other country to a third country.
In the same interview, Cellucci also shared his thoughts about the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He had pushed Canada to join the invasion. This was based on claims that Iraq had dangerous weapons. But in 2005, Cellucci said, "We're not always right, and on that particular one it looks like we weren't right."
Cellucci left Magna Entertainment in 2006. He then joined a law firm in Boston called McCarter & English, LLP. In 2008, he said he did not plan to seek public office again after 35 years. He supported John McCain for president in 2008.
In 2013, Cellucci supported same-sex marriage in a U.S. Supreme Court case. Also in 2013, he helped free a U.S. citizen who was held in Venezuela.
Illness and Passing
In January 2011, Paul Cellucci announced he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This disease is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He said it was progressing slowly.
Cellucci decided to raise money for ALS research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS). He aimed to raise $10 million. On May 19, 2011, he announced the fundraising campaign at a Boston Red Sox game. He hoped to get support from his old political connections and social networks.
On March 15, 2012, Biogen Idec donated $500,000 to the UMass ALS Champion Fund. This was a large part of the $1.3 million the fund raised in its first year.
Paul Cellucci passed away from complications of ALS on June 8, 2013. He was 65 years old. Many people shared their sadness and respect for him. Governor Deval Patrick said Massachusetts lost "a favored son and devoted public servant." Former governor Bill Weld called him "one of the finest human beings I have ever met."
A memorial was dedicated to Cellucci on September 20, 2015. It is in his hometown of Hudson, Massachusetts.
Images for kids
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Paul Cellucci's signature
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Seal of the United States Army Reserve
See also
In Spanish: Paul Cellucci para niños
