Moakley Archive Oral History Project

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  Oral History Interview of Leanne Aronson Tobias (OH-078)

  Leanne Aronson Tobias and Julia C. Howington

  Leanne Aronson Tobias describes working as an intern for Congressman Joe Moakley in his office in Washington during her college days. She delayed returning to school to serve as a legislative assistant in Moakley’s Washington office where she focused on housing, community development, and finance/banking related issues. She describes about her work on policy issues such as the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 and Boston’s Busing Crisis. Tobias reflects on Moakley’s focus on constituent service and his dedication to connecting with the people he represents. She ends with a discussion of her work in the Congressman’s district office, the path her career took after leaving Moakley’s office, and Moakley’s lasting legacy.

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  Interview with Robert Albee (OH-077)

  Robert Albee and Julia Howington

  Robert Albee discusses his public works career which included service as chief engineer for the Boston Public Works Department and Public Improvement Commission during the1980s, a position as director of construction services for the Boston Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel (Big Dig) project during the 1990s, a term as president of the American Public Works Association in 1998, and work as managing director of telecommunications engineering for the firm of Vanasse, Hangen, Brustlin, Inc. during the first decade of the twenty-first century. Much of the interview focuses on the challenges of public works projects in a 400-year old city such as Boston. The interview was conducted jointly by the Moakley Archive and the American Public Works Association.

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  Oral History Interview of Sheila Burgess (OH-076)

  Sheila Burgess and Julia C. Howington

  Sheila Burgess, a former member of Congressman Moakley’s staff, reflects on her time working for the congressman in his district office and on his re-election campaigns. She touches upon Moakley’s character, his influence on people, his dedication to his staff, and his kindness to her. She goes on to talk about his final years in office, including setting up the Moakley Foundation, his illness, and death in 2001. She ends the interview with a reflection on his ongoing relevance and his lasting legacy.

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  Oral History Interview of Roger Kineavy (OH-074)

  Roger Kineavy and Julia C. Howington

  Roger Kineavy, a former member of Congressman Moakley’s campaign and district staff, begins this interview by discussing his childhood, education, and how he first became immersed in the political world. After leaving the Navy, he volunteered to help work on Moakley’s state house campaign in the 1950s. He joined Moakley’s staff and eventually served as the district director from 1973-1994. Kineavy also discusses some of the key issues in Moakley’s career, including: Boston’s busing crisis, El Salvador, and fire-safe cigarettes. He also reflects on Moakley’s relationships with other congressmen, including members of the Republican Party. Kineavy recounts the qualities that made Moakley such a great person to work for and the inspiring legacy that he left behind.

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  Oral history interview with Barney Frank (OH-075)

  Barney Frank and Robert J. Allison

  Congressman Barney Frank, who has served the Fourth District of Massachusetts since 1981, discusses his early interactions with Congressman Moakley and his own entrance into politics. Frank also describes Boston’s busing crisis; Moakley’s leadership style; the dynamics of the Massachusetts congressional delegation; and hallmark issues of Congressman Moakley’s career. His interview ends with a humorous account of Moakley’s campaign advertisements.

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  Oral history interview with John Canty (OH-070)

  John M. Canty and Rebecca Andrews

  In this interview, John M. Canty, a former administrator and teacher in the Boston Public Schools, discusses the impact of the 1974 Garrity decision, which required some students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the intention of creating racial balance in the public schools. Mr. Canty discusses the de facto segregation of the Boston Public Schools prior to the Garrity decision, his role in implementing the decision, the political and media reaction to the decision, and his feelings on how forced busing could have been prevented through other options. Mr. Canty also reflects on the roles his colleagues and Judge Garrity’s designees played in implementing the Garrity decision and the lasting effects of the decision on the educational system in the city of Boston.

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  Oral history interview with Paula Fleming (OH-069)

  Paula Fleming and Jekaterina Budzilko

  In this interview, Paula Fleming, the children’s librarian at the South Boston Branch Library of the Boston Public Library and a lifelong resident of South Boston, discusses the impact on her neighborhood of the 1974 Garrity decision, which required some students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the intention of creating racial balance in the public schools. Ms. Fleming reflects on the reactions of local children and parents to the Garrity decision; the effects that busing had on neighborhood dynamics and library patronage in South Boston; how the neighborhood has changed since the 1970s; and the media portrayals of South Boston.

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  Oral history interview with James Hennigan, Jr. (OH-066)

  James W. Hennigan Jr. and Robert J. Allison

  In this interview, James W. Hennigan, Jr., a Suffolk University Law School alumnus (JD 1958), Massachusetts state representative (1953-1954), state senator (1955-1964), and Boston School Committee member (1970-1974), discusses the impact of the 1974 Garrity decision, which required some students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the intention of creating racial balance in the public schools. Mr. Hennigan reflects on the issue of busing in the Boston Public School system, recalling the Boston School Committee’s work in the years prior to the Garrity decision and the roles which various politicians and city leaders played in the debate. He reminisces about Boston’s great politicians. Additionally, he recalls his memories of Joe Moakley’s successful run as an Independent candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1972. Mr. Hennigan also shares a bit of his political career and that of his family.

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  Oral history interview with Richard Lane (OH-071)

  Richard M. Lane and Stephen Foley

  In this interview, Richard M. Lane, an attorney and lifelong resident of South Boston, discusses the impact in his neighborhood of the 1974 Garrity decision, which required some students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the intention of creating racial balance in the public schools. He reflects on the reactions to the busing plan among South Boston residents; the impact of media coverage on perceptions of South Boston; the effect that busing had on the demographics of South Boston and the Boston Public schools; and the overall ineffectiveness of the busing plan. Mr. Lane concludes with a brief reflection on the career of Congressman John Joseph Moakley of South Boston.

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  Oral history interview with James O’Leary (OH-068)

  James F. O'Leary and Gregory Fidler

  In this interview, James F. O’Leary, a volunteer on Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s early congressional campaigns and later a member of the congressman’s district staff from 1974 to 1978, discusses his years working for the congressman in the aftermath of the 1974 Garrity decision, which required some students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the intention of creating racial balance in the public schools. While the interview focuses primarily on Moakley’s reaction to the Garrity decision and the impact of the decision on the city of Boston, Mr. O’Leary also reflects on Moakley’s reputation as a fair and devoted legislator and as a mentor to the members of his staff.

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  Oral history interview with Patricia Reid (OH-067)

  Patricia J. Reid and Sanny Moukaila

  Patricia J. Reid, daughter of former South Boston High School headmaster Dr. William Reid, reflects on the impact of the 1974 Garrity decision, which required some students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the intention of creating racial balance in the public schools. Ms. Reid discusses her father’s reaction to the decision; community responses to busing and to Dr. Reid; her opinion on the issue; and the public school system today.

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  Oral history interview with Barbara Faith (OH-063)

  Barbara L. Faith and Emily Gamelin

  In this interview, Barbara Faith, a South Boston resident who worked at South Boston High School in the 1970s and whose brother Michael was stabbed in an altercation in a school corridor, discusses the impact on her neighborhood of the 1974 Garrity decision, which required some students to be bused to other neighborhoods with the goal of creating racial balance in the Boston Public Schools. Ms. Faith reflects on segregation and race issues in South Boston around the time that the Garrity decision was implemented; the impact of the decision on day-to-day school operations; violence on buses and in South Boston High School, including the stabbing of her brother by another student in December of 1974; the responses of local politicians and police forces to the tensions caused by the decision; how the decision affected neighborhood dynamics in South Boston and the way people view Boston in general. She concludes by discussing the impact that the decision has had on her family and asserting her hopes for the future of race relations in Boston.

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  Oral history interview with Maurice Gillen (OH-057)

  Maurice Gillen and Corinne Petraglia

  Maurice “Moe” Gillen, a lifelong resident of Charlestown, Massachusetts, discusses his community activism related to the 1974 Garrity decision, which required some students to be bused from one Boston neighborhood to another with the goal of creating racial balance in the Boston Public Schools. The interview covers his work with the Charlestown Committee on Education and the Citywide Coordinating Council; reactions to the Garrity decision in Charlestown and other Boston neighborhoods; media coverage of the aftermath of the decision; and his feelings about the decision and its impact on the Boston Public Schools.

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  Oral history interview with Mary Ann Hardenbergh (OH-058)

  Mary Ann Hardenbergh and Bob Metz

  Mary Ann Hardenbergh, who served as a member and as chair of the Massachusetts State Board of Education, reflects on her experiences during the time surrounding the 1974 Garrity decision, which required some students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the intention of creating racial balance in the public schools. She discusses her involvement with the decision and the concept of forced busing; her experiences living in Boston’s Hyde Park neighborhood; her children’s educational experiences; the issue of race in Boston; and possible alternatives to the plan that was implemented as a result of the Garrity decision. She concludes by discussing the current state of education in Massachusetts.

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  Oral history interview with Hubie Jones (OH-064)

  Hubert Jones and Elizabeth Conley

  In this interview, Hubert “Hubie” Jones, a social worker as well as dean emeritus and professor at the Boston University School of Social Work, discusses the impact of the 1974 Garrity decision, which required some students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the intention of creating racial balance in the public schools. Mr. Jones reflects on the issue of busing’s impact on the Boston Public School system within a broader context, examining myriad problems contributing to the de facto segregation of the schools both prior to and after the 1974 Garrity decision. Mr. Jones also contemplates the issue within the broader context of race relations in the city of Boston.

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  Oral history interview with James Linnehan, Sr. (OH-065)

  James F. Linnehan Sr. and Joseph McEttrick

  James F. Linnehan, Sr., is a Suffolk University Law School alumnus (JD 1956) and a life member of Suffolk University’s board of trustees. He served as chairman of the board of trustees from 1988 to 1996. In this interview he discusses his friendship with classmate and late congressman John Joseph Moakley; his military experience; his career in public service, accounting and law; his service on the board of trustees; Congressman Moakley’s legacy; and the evolution of Suffolk University over the past fifty years.

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  Oral history interview with John Nucci (OH-059)

  John Nucci and Elias Tsismenakis

  In this interview, former Boston School Committee president and Boston city councilor John Nucci reflects on the 1974 Garrity decision, which required some students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the intention of creating racial balance in the public schools. He discusses the background of the decision and its impact on the city; why he decided to run for the Boston School Committee; the 1985 court decision to disengage the schools from the federal court and give control back to the school committee; and how race relations have improved in Boston. He concludes by discussing the current state of education in the Boston Public Schools.

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  Oral history interview with Kirsten Alexander (OH-040)

  Kirsten Alexander and Laura Muller

  Kirsten Alexander, who grew up in Jamaica Plain and Brookline, Massachusetts, during the 1970s, discusses the racial climate in the Boston Public Schools during that time period. The interview covers her family’s community activism and support of desegregation; the experiences of her adopted brother, who was African American; the racism that she saw in some of the Boston Public Schools; the importance of living in a diverse society; and her hopes for the future of the Boston Public Schools.

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  Oral history interview with Henry Allen (OH-042)

  Henry L. Allen and Rhea Ramjohn

  Henry L. Allen, a lifelong resident of Boston, reflects on the Boston Public Schools and the city itself during the time of the Garrity decision, which in 1974 required some students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the intention of creating racial balance in the public schools. In this interview, he discusses his extensive community work in support of school desegregation; his and his family’s experiences with the Boston Public Schools; the racial dynamics of Boston from the late 1960s to the early 1990s; and his opinions of the current state of Boston and its schools.

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  Oral history interview with Frederick Clark, Jr. (OH-061)

  Frederick W. Clark Jr. and Laura Muller

  In this interview, Fred Clark, who was a member of Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s district staff from 1984 to 2001, reflects on the congressman’s contributions to historic preservation in Boston. He discusses Moakley’s work with the National Park Service and its late superintendent, John Burchill; some of the specific historic sites for which Moakley helped secure funding, including Faneuil Hall, the Old State House, the Old South Meeting House, and Dorchester Heights; the economic impact of preserving Boston’s historic sites; and the appropriations request process in the House of Representatives. He also comments on his experiences working for Moakley and Moakley’s reputation as a straightforward, honest politician.

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  Oral history interview with James Collins (OH-052)

  James Collins and Matt Gordon

  Mr. James Collins reflects on his experiences following the 1974 Garrity decision, which required some students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the intention of creating racial balance in the public schools. He discusses his upbringing in Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood; his family’s educational experiences in Boston; reactions to the Garrity decision in Charlestown; and the impact that the decision has had on education and neighborhood dynamics in Boston.

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  Oral history interview with James Feeney (OH-048)

  James P. Feeney and Mike Owens

  James P. Feeney, who was born and raised in South Boston, Massachusetts, discusses the impact of the 1974 Garrity decision, which required students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the intention of creating racial balance in the public schools. The interview covers South Boston’s reaction to the decision; the media coverage of the aftermath of the decision; various protests and demonstrations that took place; and how the dynamics of South Boston changed during that time period.

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  Oral history interview with Lewis Finfer (OH-050)

  Lewis Finfer and Brynne Crockett

  Lewis Finfer, a community organizer with neighborhood and citywide groups in the Boston area, discusses the impact of the 1974 Garrity decision, which resulted in some students being bused from one Boston neighborhood to another with the goal of creating racial balance in the Boston Public Schools. Topics covered include the racial and social climate in Boston at the time; reactions of the white and black communities to the decision; the condition of the Boston Public Schools then, now and in the future; and the political aspects and ramifications of the decision.

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  Oral history interview with Mark Harvey (OH-045)

  Mark Sumner Harvey and AnaMaria Hidalgo

  Dr. Mark Harvey, co-founder of the Jazz Coalition Magnet Arts Desegregation Program, reflects on his experiences working with Boston-area children before and after the 1974 Garrity decision, which required some students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the intention of creating racial balance in the public schools. He discusses the social climate in Boston during that time period; the importance of integration in both schools and communities; and the role of jazz music in bringing together people of different racial backgrounds.

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  Oral history interview with Sean Hennessey (OH-060)

  Sean Hennessey and Laura Muller

  In this interview, Sean Hennessey, public affairs officer for the National Park Service in Boston, reflects on historic preservation efforts in the city. He discusses the establishment of the Boston National Historical Park; the sites that are part of the park; the efforts of Congressman Joe Moakley to acquire funding for these sites; Moakley’s relationship with John Burchill, the late superintendent of the Boston National Historical Park; and how historic preservation has progressed and regressed during recent decades.