Thomas P. O'Neill III facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas P. O'Neill III
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| 65th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts | |
| In office January 2, 1975 – January 6, 1983 |
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| Governor | Michael Dukakis Edward J. King |
| Preceded by | Donald Dwight |
| Succeeded by | John Kerry |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 3rd Middlesex district |
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| In office 1973–1974 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Thomas Phillip O'Neill III
September 20, 1944 Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Parents |
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| Education | Boston College (BA) Harvard University (MPA) |
| Profession | politician, businessman |
Thomas Phillip O'Neill III, born on September 20, 1944, is an American politician and businessman. He served as the 65th lieutenant governor of Massachusetts.
Early Life and Education
Thomas O'Neill III was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His parents were Mildred Anne Miller and Thomas Phillip "Tip" O'Neill Jr.. His father was a very important politician. He was the leader of the United States House of Representatives from 1977 to 1987.
Thomas O'Neill III went to Boston College for his first college degree. He then earned a special degree in public administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. This degree helps people learn how to manage public services and government.
Political Career
Before becoming Lieutenant Governor, Thomas O'Neill III was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He served there from 1973 to 1974. This is a group of elected officials who make laws for the state of Massachusetts.
From 1975 to 1983, O'Neill served as the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. The Lieutenant Governor is like a vice-president for a state. They help the Governor and take over if the Governor cannot do their job.
During his time as Lieutenant Governor, O'Neill created a special office. This office helped connect the state of Massachusetts with the federal government in Boston and Washington, D.C.. He also worked on a committee that helped choose U.S. ambassadors to other countries.
O'Neill is also known for his work on the "Big Dig" project. This was a huge construction project in Boston. It moved a major highway underground to improve traffic and create new public spaces. His father, Tip O'Neill Jr., was also very involved in making this project happen.
In 1982, O'Neill decided not to run for Lieutenant Governor again. Instead, he wanted to run for Governor of Massachusetts. However, he faced some challenges with the rules of his political party and was not able to get on the ballot for the election.
Later Work and Community Involvement
Thomas O'Neill III is still involved in his community. He is on the Board of Trustees for Boston College, where he went to school. He also leads the Board of Trustees for Cristo Rey Boston High School.
He is also on the board of Catholic Democrats. This is a group that talks about faith and politics in the United States.
For many years, O'Neill ran his own company called O'Neill and Associates in Boston. This company helped with public relations and government affairs. In 2020, his company joined with another firm called Seven Letter. O'Neill still helps lead the part of the company that works with government officials.
