The Moakley Archive Oral History Project is a collection of interviews that highlight key events and issues related to Congressman John Joseph Moakley's life and career. By collecting audio- and videotaped interviews with family, friends, staff, colleagues, political opponents, political leaders and his constituents the Project preserves valuable information and observations that may not be a part of the Congressman John Joseph Moakley Papers.
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Oral history interview with William Bulger (OH-014)
William M. Bulger and Robert J. Allison
William M. Bulger, former Massachusetts State Senate President, discusses the career of Congressman John Joseph Moakley. President Bulger discusses his friendship with Congressman Moakley; running for political office in South Boston; the evolution of politics during his career; Congressman Moakley’s 1970 and 1972 congressional campaigns; his thoughts regarding Boston busing in the 1970s; the Saint Patrick’s Day breakfast in South Boston; the development of the city of Boston over the years; and Congressman Moakley’s constituent service and political leadership.
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Oral history interview with Frederick Clark, Jr. (OH-020)
Frederick W. Clark Jr. and Robert J. Allison
Fred Clark, Jr., Moakley congressional staff member from 1982 through 2001, discusses his role working as an intern, Washington liaison, campaign manager and district office director. His interview covers Congressman Moakley’s constituent service; the campaign process; how the district office operated on a daily basis; the relationship between the congressman and his staff; how Congressman Moakley worked to improve international relations; and Congressman Moakley’s legacy of public service and political leadership. He concludes by recalling Congressman Moakley’s funeral.
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Oral history interview with Edmund Crotty (OH-006)
Ed Crotty and Frank Weymouth
Ed Crotty, a member of Citizens for Participation in Political Action (CPPAX), reflects on his involvement in Latin American human rights and refugee issues. In this interview he discusses his activities as a member of CPPAX; his experiences with Congressman John Joseph Moakley and Moakley’s aide, Jim McGovern, related to foreign policy in El Salvador; and his founding of the Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. He concludes by discussing Congressman Moakley’s impact on immigration reform.
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Oral history interview with Leonel Gomez (OH-021)
Leonel Gomez and Joseph McEttrick
Leonel Gomez, a community activist, labor organizer and a political advisor, discusses Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s involvement in El Salvador. His interviews covers what it was like growing up in El Salvador; how he became active in community organizing; his thoughts regarding the murder of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter in 1989; his role in assisting Congressman Moakley during his investigation; his memories of Congressman Moakley’s trip to Santa Marta; what Congressman Moakley’s legacy is to the people of El Salvador; and how things have changed since the end of the civil war.
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Oral history interview with Karen Harraghy (OH-009)
Karen Harraghy and Wayne Feugill
In this interview, Karen Harraghy, a member of Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s district staff from 1983 to 2001, recalls her time working for the congressman. The interview covers Ms. Harraghy’s responsibilities as a district staff member; Congressman Moakley’s involvement in immigration and human rights issues in El Salvador; his relationships with the Massachusetts congressional delegation and other members of Congress; and his reputation as a bread-and-butter politician. She concludes by reflecting on Congressman Moakley’s legacy of public service and political leadership.
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Oral history interview with Jeanne Hession (OH-015)
Jeanne M. Hession and Joseph McEttrick
Jeanne Hession is a Suffolk University Law School alumna and its first female member of the Board of Trustees. This interview covers her attendance at Suffolk University Law School with classmate and friend Congressman Joe Moakley; her tenure as the first female class president; how Suffolk University has changed since 1956; the changing role of women in law; her friendship with Congressman Moakley; and her service on the Board of Trustees. In conclusion, Ms. Hession describes Congressman Moakley’s legacy to Suffolk University and Massachusetts.
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Oral history interview with James Kelly (OH-018)
James M. Kelly and Robert J. Allison
James M. Kelly, member of the Boston City Council representing District Two since 1983, discusses his relationship with Congressman John Joseph Moakley. Mr. Kelly describes Congressman Moakley’s work to improve housing and the South Boston waterfront; Congressman Moakley’s hopes for the ninth districts future; his thoughts on Congressman Moakley’s constituent service; the Saint Patrick’s Day breakfast in South Boston; his memories regarding the Boston school desegregation in the 1970s; and Congressman Moakley’s legacy in Boston.
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Oral history interview with George Lally (OH-012)
George Lally and Christian Engler
George Lally, South Boston resident and former Moakley campaign volunteer, recalls his work with Congressman Moakley on Moakley’s early campaigns and in the South Boston community, specifically relating to the Babe Ruth Baseball League. The interview covers Moakley’s role as legal advisor for the Babe Ruth Baseball League in South Boston; his commitment to justice both at home and abroad, including El Salvador and Cuba; his role in the Massachusetts delegation; and his commitment to his congressional district and his constituents. Mr. Lally concludes by discussing Moakley’s legacy of public service.
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Oral history interview with Stephen LaRose (OH-002)
Stephen LaRose and Beth Anne Bower
Stephen LaRose, a member of Moakley’s congressional staff from 1993 to 2001, discusses his work experience as a legislative correspondent, legislative assistant, and senior legislative assistant working on foreign affairs. His interview covers Congressman Moakley’s work to help improve conditions in El Salvador following years of civil war; trips with Congressman Moakley to El Salvador, Cuba, Kosovo, and the Vatican; and Congressman Moakley’s human rights legacy. In the final segment of the interview Mr. LaRose identifies photographs of Congressman Moakley’s trips to El Salvador in the late 1990s.
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Oral history interview with John Lynch (OH-011)
John Lynch and Paul Caruso
In this interview, John Lynch, a volunteer on Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s early campaigns, discusses his work on Moakley’s 1950 and 1952 campaigns for state representative; his friendship with Moakley from the 1950s until Moakley’s death in 2001; his memories of other friends of his and Moakley’s, as well as other Boston political figures; and Moakley’s feelings in the aftermath of the 1970 Garrity decision that called for forced busing of students in Boston. He also provides numerous anecdotes that give insight into Moakley’s character.
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Oral history interview with James McGovern (OH-013)
James P. McGovern and Beth Anne Bower
From his district office in Worcester, Congressman James P. McGovern, current member of the House Rules Committee from the Third District in Massachusetts, discusses working with Congressman Joe Moakley. Congressman McGovern talks about his role as legislative assistant, press secretary and legislative director between the years of 1982 and 1996; how the Moakley congressional office operated; and the important role Joe Moakley had in the Massachusetts delegation. Congressman McGovern also describes his campaigns for congressional office; recounts lessons, advice and support he received from Joe Moakley; and concludes with Joe Moakley’s legacy of public service and commitment to the people of Massachusetts.
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Oral history interview with Robert Moakley and Thomas Moakley (OH-003)
Robert Moakley and Robert J. Allison
Robert and Thomas Moakley discuss the life and career of their late brother, Congressman John Joseph Moakley. This interview covers growing up in South Boston in the thirties and forties; how military service helped shape their perspectives on life; their parents; what political campaigning was like in the fifties; how Joe Moakley enjoyed public service; their brother’s work in El Salvador; their thoughts regarding Boston school desegregation in the1970s; what it was like to be related to a respected member of Congress; how politics has changed since their brother began his career. They end by expressing their hope that others can learn from the example their brother demonstrated through his entire career.
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Oral history interview with Fran Price (OH-007)
Francine Price and Frank Weymouth
Fran Price, a member of the Jamaica Plain Committee on Central America (JPCOCA), discusses the formation of JPCOCA and its activism on Central American policy issues. She describes meetings and correspondence with Congressman Moakley; local action taken to bring community awareness to Jamaica Plain residents; interaction with refugees from El Salvador; United States Immigration policy in the eighties; and the role of Congressman Moakley and his aide Jim McGovern.
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Oral history interview with Carol Pryor (OH-008)
Carol Pryor and Christian Engler
Carol Pryor, a member of the Jamaica Plain Committee on Central America (JPCOCA), discusses her background and education; the creation of and her involvement with the Jamaica Plain Committee on Central America in the early 1980s; the January 1983 meeting with Congressman Moakley regarding El Salvador; Moakley’s reaction to the issues brought to his attention by JPCOCA and his pursuit of these issues through his key aide, Jim McGovern; and the activities of the Jamaica Plain Committee during the 1980s to help the cause of Salvadoran refugees. In conclusion, Ms. Pryor expresses how Congressman Moakley’s actions far exceeded the hopes of the Jamaica Plain Committee and how much she enjoyed the experience of helping the Salvadoran people.
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Oral history interview with Sean Ryan (OH-004)
Sean Ryan and Paul Caruso
Sean Ryan, a member of Moakley’s congressional staff from 1992 through 2000, discusses his time as a congressional aide; his observations about Congressman Moakley’s work to improve the city of Boston; Congressman Moakley’s relationship with his colleagues in the House and Massachusetts delegation; his thoughts regarding the Boston school desegregation in the 1970s; Congressman Moakley’s work to help improve conditions in El Salvador. He concludes by talking about Congressman Moakley’s work on the House Rules Committee.
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Oral history interview with David Sargent (OH-016)
David J. Sargent and Robert J. Allison
David J. Sargent is a graduate of Suffolk Law School (class of 1954), former professor (1956-1972), former law school dean (1972-1989), and current president of Suffolk University (1989-present). In this interview he talks about Suffolk University and Suffolk alumnus Congressman John Joseph Moakley. His interview covers how he first met Congressman Moakley; how Suffolk University has changed since 1954; Mr. Sargent’s work in the legal field; Congressman Moakley’s involvement as a member of the Suffolk University Board of Trustees; and Congressman Moakley’s legacy.
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Oral history interview with William Shaevel (OH-017)
William H. Shaevel and Robert J. Allison
William H. Shaevel, former Moakley State Senate staffer from 1967 through 1970, Moakley’s law partner and current treasurer of the Moakley Charitable Foundation, recalls his time working with Congressman Moakley. The interview covers important state legislation that Moakley helped pass; Moakley’s private law practice; the political environment in South Boston; Moakley’s political campaigns; and the relationship between Congressman Moakley and his staff. He concludes with the personal impact Congressman Moakley had on his career and life.
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Oral history interview with Virginia Vogel Zanger (OH-005)
Virginia Vogel Zanger and Laura Fontaine
Virginia Vogel Zanger, a member of the Jamaica Plain Committee on Central America [JPCOCA] discusses Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s involvement with his constituents and explains how she became involved in Central American issues in the early 1980s; how the JPCOCA brought awareness to local residents regarding Salvadoran immigration; their meeting with Congressman Moakley; how Congressman Moakley’s aide Jim McGovern worked with the JPCOCA; and what kinds of organizations were contacted to bring greater support for immigration reform. She reflects on Congressman Moakley’s impact on Salvadoran history and the impact of constituents on their representatives.
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Roundtable discussion with John Joseph Moakley’s family and staff (OH-056)
Frederick W. Clark Jr. and Robert J. Allison
In 2001, Suffolk University convened a meeting with members of Congressman John Joseph Moakley’s family and congressional staff to discuss the life and career of Joe Moakley, a Suffolk alumnus who served the Ninth District of Massachusetts from 1973 through 2001. At the time the university was developing an exhibit about the congressman, entitled John Joseph Moakley: In Service to His Country. The participants reminisce about Moakley’s early life including his family’s life in South Boston in the thirties, forties and fifties; Moakley’s service in the Navy during WWII; his start in politics; his career in Massachusetts legislature during the fifties and sixties; his time at Suffolk University Law School and his law practice; and his late wife Evelyn. They also discuss his congressional career including how the city of Boston changed during his career; Moakley’s role in the Boston school desegregation crisis of the seventies; his tenure on the House Rules Committee; congressional campaigns; policy campaigns central to Moakley’s career such as his work in El Salvador as chairman of a special task force investigating the murder of six Jesuit priests, his work to improve conditions in Cuba and his commitment to veterans. They end by discussing Moakley’s legacy in the state of Massachusetts including his commitment to historic preservation, economic development, transportation projects and the environment.
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Oral history interview with John Joseph Moakley (OH-001)
John Joseph Moakley, Robert J. Allison, and Joseph McEttrick
Congressman John Joseph Moakley, who served the Ninth District of Massachusetts from 1973 through 2001, discusses his life and political career. This interview covers what it was like to grow up in South Boston in the thirties and forties; his military service in the Navy during WWII; how he became involved in local politics in the fifties; his career as a member of the Massachusetts General Court during the fifties and sixties; his memories of Suffolk University Law School and his law practice; his late wife Evelyn; how the city of Boston has changed during his career in public office; his thoughts regarding the Boston school desegregation in the seventies; his campaigns for congressional office; his career working in Washington D.C.; his work in El Salvador as chairman of a special task force following the murder of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter; and his work to help improve conditions in Cuba. He ends by remembering important figures that helped shape his career and giving his own advice for future elected officials.