Moakley Archive Oral History Project

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  Oral history interview with Molly Hurley (OH-046)

  Margaret Hurley and Laura Muller

  Margaret “Molly” Hurley, a member of Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s district staff from 1977 to 2001, reflects on her years working for the Congressman. She discusses her job responsibilities; Moakley’s relationships with his staff members; Moakley’s commitment to constituent service; her own feelings towards Moakley; and Moakley’s reputation as a kind and committed legislator. She concludes by discussing the work that she did as a member of Congressman Stephen Lynch’s district staff.

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  Oral history interview with Patricia Kelly (OH-051)

  Patricia A. Kelly and Josh Steinberg

  Patricia Kelly, an administrator and former teacher in the Boston Public Schools, discusses her experiences as an African American teacher in the aftermath 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 her teaching experiences in Charlestown; the racial tension in Charlestown during the 1970s; the impact of the Garrity decision on education in Boston; and her memories of her students and fellow teachers.

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  Oral history interview with Byron Rushing (OH-062)

  Byron Rushing and Laura Muller

  In this interview, Byron Rushing, a Massachusetts state representative and co-founder of Boston’s Museum of Afro-American History, reflects on Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s involvement in the preservation of sites that are significant in the history of Boston’s African American community. He discusses the establishment of the Museum of Afro-American History in 1972; the creation of the Boston African American National Historic Site, known as BOAF, which is part of the National Park System; and Congressman Moakley’s efforts to get funding for the rehabilitation of several of the sites that are part of BOAF. He concludes with a discussion of the preservation efforts that have continued since Moakley’s death in 2001.

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  Oral history interview with Mary Ellen Smith (OH-044)

  Mary Ellen Smith and AnaMaria Hidalgo

  Mary Ellen Smith, a Boston community activist who founded the Citywide Education Coalition (CWEC), reflects on her work in education and community organizing in Boston, as well as the ramifications 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. She discusses the various organizations with which she has worked, including CWEC, the Citywide Coordinating Council, and the Massachusetts Board of Education; her experiences working in the Boston Public Schools; the effects of the Garrity decision on the school system and Boston in general; and the ways that her community work has affected her life.

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  Oral history interview with Joanne Sweeney (OH-049)

  Joanne Sweeney and Matthew Wilding

  Joanne Sweeney, a lifelong resident of South Boston, 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 the reaction to the decision in South Boston; her family’s community activism; that state of the Boston Public Schools; and her feelings about the portrayal of South Boston as “racist”.

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  Oral history interview with Anthony Voto (OH-039)

  Anthony Voto and Jared Cain

  Mr. Anthony Voto reflects on his experiences growing up in East Boston, Massachusetts, following the 1974 Garrity decision, which required students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the intention of creating racial balance in the public schools. Mr. Voto discusses his childhood in East Boston; his experiences attending a magnet school; the appreciation for different cultures and people that he gained from attending a school with a diverse student body; and the positive impact that he feels the results of the Garrity decision had on the Boston Public Schools.

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  Oral history interview with Brian Wallace (OH-043)

  Brian P. Wallace and Matthew Wilding

  Brian P. Wallace, a Massachusetts state representative and resident of South Boston, 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. As an aide to then-state representative Ray Flynn, Representative Wallace witnessed firsthand the feelings of local politicians in the aftermath of the decision. In this interview he reflects on the reactions of the city’s residents to the decision; the impact of media reports; Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s position on the issue; and the negative effects of the decision on the city of Boston and its schools.

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  Oral history interview with Ruth Walsh (OH-047)

  Ruth Walsh and Stephanie Tamilo

  Ms. Ruth Walsh reflects on her experiences growing up in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, following the 1974 Garrity decision, which required students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the intention of creating racial balance in the public schools. Ms. Walsh discusses her education in the Boston Public Schools; the effects of the Garrity decision on her family and neighborhood; the experiences of her children in the Cambridge Public Schools; and her feelings about the decision and the importance of diversity.

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  Oral history interview with John Weinfurter (OH-055)

  John Weinfurter and Beth Anne Bower

  Mr. John Weinfurter, a member of Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s congressional staff from 1977 to 1996, discusses his time working with Congressman Moakley. He discusses Moakley’s committee work, especially his role as chairman of the House Rules Committee and on the Steering and Policy Committee; Moakley’s core issues, including development and historic preservation in Boston and human rights in El Salvador; Moakley’s role as Moakley’s relationships with his staff and his congressional colleagues; and Moakley’s commitment to public service.

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  Oral history interview with David Carreiro (OH-023)

  David Carreiro and Beth Anne Bower

  David Carreiro, a member of Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s congressional staff in his Boston district office and his Washington, DC office from 1988 through 2001 recalls his experience as a congressional aide. His interview explains how he came to work for Congressman Moakley; different kinds of issues Carreiro worked on while in Boston and Washington; how important constituent service was Congressman Moakley; Moakley’s role as a senior member of the Massachusetts congressional delegation and how his legacy sets an example for public service and political leadership.

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  Oral history interview with George Crawford (OH-034)

  George Crawford and Steven G. Kalarites

  George Crawford, a member of Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s congressional committee staff from 1989 though 2001, discusses his career as a House Rules Committee staff member, acting staff director and staff director of the Rules Committee. His interview explains how he came to work for Congressman Moakley; Moakley’s relationships with his colleagues, his constituent service, and his political leadership; how Capitol Hill has changed over the years; and how Moakley’s public service legacy is a model for government service.

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  Oral history interview with John Daniel (OH-036)

  John Daniel and Steven G. Kalarites

  John Daniel, a member of Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s congressional committee staff from 1989 through 2001, discusses the career of Congressman Moakley. His interview covers how he became a member of the House Rules Committee staff; Congressman Moakley’s relationships with his colleagues on Capitol Hill; how the political climate has changed since Moakley was in office; the issues he worked on as a staffer for Congressman Moakley; and Moakley’s legacy of public service and political leadership.

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  Oral history interview with David Dreier (OH-029)

  David Dreier and Joseph McEttrick

  Congressman David Dreier, chairman of the House Rules Committee from the Twenty-Sixth District of California, discusses the career of Congressman John Joseph Moakley and his legacy of public service. Congressman Dreier talks about his background and early career in public service; his relationship with Congressman Moakley while serving on the Rules Committee; his involvement in the Speaker’s Task Force on El Salvador (Moakley Commission) following the murders of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter in San Salvador; his thoughts on today’s political environment; and Congressman Moakley’s public service legacy.

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  Oral history interview with Michael Dukakis (OH-022)

  Michael S. Dukakis and Joseph McEttrick

  Michael S. Dukakis, former governor of Massachusetts (1975-1979; 1983-1991), discusses the career of Congressman John Joseph Moakley. Governor Dukakis talks about Congressman Moakley’s efforts to improve Boston Harbor and the Harbor Islands; recalls issues they worked together on while members of the Massachusetts legislature in the late sixties; what issues were prominent during political campaigns in the sixties and seventies; what the environment was like in the State House during the sixties; his thoughts regarding the Boston school desegregation in the 1970s and how important Congressman Moakley’s public service and political leadership was to his constituents.

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  Oral history interview with Dr. John Eisold (OH-030)

  John Eisold and Joseph McEttrick

  Dr. John Eisold, M.D., attending physician to Congress, discusses his relationship with Congressman John Joseph Moakley; his role as a physician on Capitol Hill; his congressional trip to the Vatican with Congressman Moakley; and how Congressman Moakley’s legacy is an example for public service.

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  Oral history interview with Katherine Sophie Hayford (OH-026)

  Katherine Sophie Hayford and Beth Anne Bower

  Katherine Sophie Hayford, a member of Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s congressional staff from 1976 through 2001, discusses her experience working at his congressional office, on the House Rules Subcommittee staff and on House Rules Committee staff. Her interview covers Congressman Moakley’s investigation in El Salvador; his ability to develop strong relationships with staff and colleagues; his role as a member of the House Rules Committee; his constituent service; and his legacy of public service and political leadership.

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  Oral history interview with Charles Johnson (OH-033)

  Charles W. Johnson and Joseph McEttrick

  Charles Johnson, who worked for the House Parliamentarian Office from 1964 through 2004, reflects on his career serving as assistant parliamentarian, deputy parliamentarian and House parliamentarian. He discusses the role of the parliamentarian office; his relationship with Congressman John Joseph Moakley; Congressman Moakley’s relationships with his colleagues; the Clinton impeachment process; and how Congressman Moakley’s career is a legacy of public service.

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  Oral history interview with Peter King (OH-031)

  Peter T. King and Joseph McEttrick

  From the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., Congressman Peter T. King discusses the career of Congressman John Joseph Moakley. Congressman King recalls how he came to know Congressman Moakley and discusses issues they worked on together; the respect Joe Moakley had from other members of Congress; and the legacy Congressman Moakley has set for public service.

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  Oral history interview with Martin Meehan (OH-035)

  Martin T. Meehan and Joseph McEttrick

  In this interview, Congressman Martin T. Meehan of Massachusetts’ Fifth Congressional District discusses the career of Congressman John Joseph Moakley. The interview covers Meehan’s early interest in public service and his eventual election to Congress; his thoughts on the role of government in peoples’ lives; the importance of Moakley’s leadership role in the Massachusetts congressional delegation; and Moakley’s legacy of public service.

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  Oral history interview with Richard Neal (OH-032)

  Richard E. Neal and Joseph McEttrick

  From the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., Congressman Richard E. Neal, who represents Massachusetts’ Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, discusses the career of Congressman John Joseph Moakley. Congressman Neal talks about meeting Congressman Moakley; the important leadership role Moakley played in the Massachusetts congressional delegation; legislative issues they worked on together; how Congressman Moakley developed bipartisan relationships within the Congress; Congressman Neal’s own thoughts on today’s political environment; and what Congressman Moakley’s legacy is to public service.

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  Oral history interview with David Pomerantz (OH-028)

  David Pomerantz and Steven G. Kalarites

  David Pomerantz, a member of Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s congressional committee staff from 1989 though 2001 discusses his experience while a member of the House Rules Committee staff. His interview covers how he came to work for Congressman Moakley; how Congressman Moakley developed relationships with his colleagues; and how Congressman Moakley’s public service legacy is an example for government service.

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  Oral history interview with Robert Kevin Ryan (OH-027)

  Robert Kevin Ryan and Beth Anne Bower

  Robert Kevin Ryan, a member of Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s congressional staff from 1983 through 2001, discusses his career on the House Subcommittee on Rules staff, on the full House Rules Committee staff, and as acting chief of staff for Congressman Moakley’s congressional office. His interview covers Congressman Moakley’s leadership position as a member of the House Rules Committee; the importance of constituent service to Moakley; South Boston residents’ feeling toward Moakley; and how Moakley’s legacy is a model for public service.

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  Oral history interview with Leanita Shelby (OH-037)

  Leanita Shelby and Steven G. Kalarites

  Leanita Shelby, a member of Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s congressional committee staff from 1989 through 2001, discusses her experiences while a member of the House Rules Committee staff. In the interview, she describes how her career started on Capitol Hill with Congressman Gillis Long; how she became a member of the House Rules Committee staff; her work for Congressman Moakley; and how Moakley related to his colleagues and his constituents.

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  Oral history interview with Deborah Spriggs (OH-025)

  Deborah Spriggs and Beth Anne Bower

  Deborah Spriggs, a member of Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s congressional committee staff from 1980 through 2001, discusses her experience as his Washington, D.C., office secretary, office manager, and scheduler. Her interview covers Moakley’s ability to develop strong working relationships with staff and colleagues; his role as a member of the House Rules Committee; his love of constituent service; and his legacy of public service.

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  Oral history interview with Kathleen Teixeira (OH-024)

  Kathleen Teixeira and Steven G. Kalarites

  Kathleen Teixeira, a member of Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s congressional office staff from 1989 through 2000, discuses her experiences as his congressional aide. Her interview covers how she became involved in public service; what her role was as a member of Congressman Moakley’s staff; Moakley’s constituent service; his political leadership role as a member of the House Rules Committee; his involvement in issues in El Salvador; and how his legacy is a model for government service.