MARTIN J. A Supplement to the Dorchester Reporter WALSH SECRETARY OF LABOR

Mayor Walsh celebrated his election victory on Nov. 3, 2013 at Boston’s Park Plaza Hotel. Chris Lovett photo The Man and the Politician we know

By Bill Forry In an era marred by the most depraved and degrading pres- Editor idency in US history, he has led this city with compassion, What should Americans expect from their new Secretary of empathy, and the good nature that made him a compelling Labor? Funny you should ask. candidate in the first place. He has acquitted himself well. The Dorchester Reporter has been writing about, observing, So, what else does Joe Biden see in the mayor of Boston? and scrutinizing Mayor Martin Walsh— now US Secretary of What makes him tick? There’s no better person to ask than Labor Martin Walsh— since 1996, when the 29-year-old un- Marty’s mentor and his earliest political conscience, Danny ion laborer, Little League coach, and civic activist launched Ryan— known around the ‘hood as “Budso from 13-10.” his first campaign for state representative. “Marty chose people over power, and by empowering other No other news organization has devoted more hours, ink, people, he empowered himself,” Ryan once told me. “He’s ad- and keystrokes to chronicling his career in public life. Many dicted to helping people.” of the highlights from those years of coverage are included in That virtue is at once his best quality and, potentially, his this special supplement, which is presented in the main as biggest liability, one that his opponents have tried, but large- a look-back, not as a look-ahead. But this deep dive into our ly failed, to exploit. He aims to please, to leave everyone smil- archives reveals much about the man and the politician who ing, to defuse confrontation and focus on the things people will now — upon swearing an oath in Washington, D.C.— be have in common. But that doesn’t make him a pushover, 11th in the line of succession to the US presidency. either. He can, and does, say no every day — and not just In 2014, when he was inaugurated for his first term as Bos- to drink, a vice he dropped in his mid-twenties but battles ton’s mayor, we shared some of our thoughts about the “kid” against relentlessly to this day. Martin J. Walsh, a candidate from Dorchester who we’d been keeping tabs on since he was Marty’s roots are in a hard-scrabble corner of rural Ire- for state representative, as a baby-faced civic president in Columbia-Savin Hill in the land called Connemara, a rocky and unforgiving landscape seen in 1997. mid-1990s. Much of what we published then is true today, so that has flung more than its share of migrants to Boston’s Harry Brett photo it bears repeating and expanding upon. neighborhoods. That deep sense of the immigrant experience We wrote back then: “For folks from Dorchester, he is (Gaelic was the language of choice in Mary and John Walsh’s INSIDE now the vessel of their own aspirations: the kid from the home) was formative for the man who would one day pro- three-decker on Taft Street who has beaten cancer, a drive- claim that immigrants facing threats of deportation could As Mayor: A change agent, but not by by bullet blast, and ‘the disease’ to grasp his city’s ultimate find shelter in his City Hall offices. himself Page 2 brass ring. Marty has become living, breathing proof that we His dad was obsessed with two Boston blood sports: ice Frank Baker: It’s farewell, not goodby can tame our own demons and even harness them for the hockey and politics. His son Martin caught the electoral bug Page 4 purposes of a greater good— like ministering to an emerging early and became a volunteer for the city’s most powerful po- A Legacy of Labor: His Boston Irish generation of Bostonians whose futures are similarly imper- litical force of his generation, Bill Bulger, whose wife Mary roots Page 5 iled by bullets and booze.” also has Connemara roots. He pitched in to help Jim Brett’s Walsh’s mayoral record is imperfect and incomplete— and campaign for mayor in 1993 and he butted heads frequently Leader from young age, says Jim one that will be more fully plumbed in the coming weeks in after with the ultimate winner that year, Tom Menino. Brett Page 6 our pages— but as he lets loose his grip on City Hall, Mar- What he didn’t learn from his dad, Marty gleaned from his The first campaign for State Rep ty leaves behind a weary Boston that has been battered by uncle, Pat Walsh, who ran the Laborer’s Local 223— known Page 8 pandemic and bruised by the related economic fallout. And in most circles as the “Irish local.” Generations of main- yet, his has been a sure and steady hand during a time of ly Irish workingmen were card-carrying members within The Marty Party — How he evolved as unprecedented crisis. And until Covid hit, his seven years in days or even hours of stepping off the Aer Lingus flight from a lawmaker Page 20 office were marked by remarkable growth and relative peace Shannon or Dublin. The nation’s new Labor Secretary has This Way to City Hall: 2013 Mayor’s and prosperity. (Continued on page 43) Race Page 22 Page 2 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021 Marty Walsh the mayor: A change agent, but not by himself

By Chris Lovett Special to the Reporter Marty Walsh served as Boston’s mayor for a little more than seven years, a time that unfolded mainly as a dashboard of growth and inclusion, with units of progress, stasis, or lost ground. But in a less granular future, he will be judged more as the mayor who helped the city out of one crisis only to contend with another. He announced his first candidacy for Mayor of Boston in April 2013, less than two weeks after his pre- decessor, Tom Menino, whose fifth straight term had been hampered by a series of health problems, made it known he would not seek a sixth. Nei- ther decision was very surprising. As a state representative and labor leader from Dorchester, Walsh spent years building alliances, navigating through differences of race, neigh- borhood, and social agenda. With his attention to personal contact and individual needs—including jobs in the building trades and help with re- covery, he was groomed as one more exponent of the “retail politics” asso- ciated with his most recent predeces- sors—Menino and Ray Flynn.

Political Template and Personal Contact Mayor Walsh, who spent many years coaching baseball at Savin Hill’s McConnell Playground, tossed a pitch to a Interviewed only a month into his youngster in the Martin Richard Challenger Baseball program’s opening day on May 6, 2018. campaign, Walsh defined himself as Photo by John Wilcox/Mayor’s Office a political product of the city who started out as a young foot soldier in presided over the beginning of recov- raged around the country after a jury ble selection of Boston for hosting the local campaigns. “Being able to help ery – and also summoned the duck refused to indict a white police offi- Olympics in 2024 caused some fleet- somebody, a family member, get into boats for another World Series cham- cer for the killing of Michael Brown ing euphoria, but even more ques- detox, give counselling to a parent or pionship celebration. But the Walsh in Ferguson, Missouri, Walsh took tions and push-back. Nor did any something like that,” he said, “that for Mayor campaign signage—match- part—mostly as a listener – in a benefits materialize from an abortive means an awful lot to me, and I’ve ing the colors of the Boston Red Sox— speak-out at Twelfth Baptist Church proposal to use parts of the Seaport done it my whole career. It’s what I also channeled the spirit of “Boston in Roxbury. The discussion touched District for an IndyCar race. love, it’s my passion. I love helping Strong” that would later be revived in on racial profiling and accountabil- Probably the most impressive people. And that’s why I’m running the “One Boston” events on the bomb- ity for the actions of police. Walsh growth metric under Walsh was for for mayor.” ing’s anniversary. said the problem was also something housing production. At the same time, Walsh praised Seven years later, with the onset of deeper, which could be understood as He exceeded the pace in his Boston Menino’s role in the resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic, a mayor used acknowledging its seriousness, but 2030 plan and even raised the bar in large-scale development in downtown to personal contacting and full-throat- also the limited powers of a single 2018, after expectations were also Boston and the emerging Seaport Dis- ed gatherings found himself govern- mayor. revised upwards for Boston’s popula- trict, both of which were accompanied ing as a model of face mask attire and He did bring racial diversity to po- tion growth. by consistently high bond ratings for social distancing. When the spread of sitions with high profile in his admin- The 2018 revision set a goal of the city. Vowing to be the “CFO of the infections and fatalities overlapped istration, most visibly with the city’s 69,000 new units by 2030, with City of Boston,” Walsh stressed the with the national surge of protest over first Asian-American school superin- 16,000 of them income-restricted, to importance of jobs as the way to raise the racial divide exacerbated by the tendent and the first African-Amer- be made possible by higher linkage revenue and solve problems. It was use of force by police, the transition ican police commissioner, but also contributions from developers and an update of the same growth credo from continuity to change became all with cabinet appointments for eco- zoning largesse from the city. that had held sway in City Hall since the more urgent. As marchers took nomic development and health and A Boston 2030 report cited a mod- 1949, when John B. Hynes defeated to the streets in Boston and others human services. What changed very est decline in the cost of renting the James Michael Curley. across the country – and almost three little was the disproportionate share city’s older housing, but other figures Less than three weeks after Meni- months after racial disparities were of people of color in positions with showed some of the most affordable no’s announcement, the city was rat- spotlighted by City Councillor Ricar- lower visibility and pay. areas were faced with a higher rate tled to its core by the bombing near do Arroyo – Walsh declared racism a Walsh also set more ambitious of evictions—even before the eco- the finish line of the Boston- Mara “public health crisis.” goals for diversity and the hiring of nomic crisis triggered by the pan- thon. It was a blow to Boston’s stand- Boston residents on major construc- demic. Along the Fairmount/Indigo ing as a world-class city, but also Entrenched Divides, tion projects in Boston. But as late rail line—a prime conduit for tran- something personal for Walsh. One Struggles with Progress as 2020, community advocates were sit-oriented housing, many residents of the victims, eight-year-old Martin continuing to express frustration of Dorchester, Mattapan, and Hyde Richard, played in the same Little If there was a racial reckoning for with the lack of progress. And met- Park faced displacement or steep in- League where Walsh was a coach. A Walsh, it would be inaccurate to say rics for city spending on goods and creases in rent. few nights after the bombing, 3,000 it was sudden. Even though his co-fi- services continued to show a wide ra- The same population growth that people responded with a vigil at Gar- nalist in the November 2013 election cial gap, even as late as early 2021. fed the supply of housing and jobs vey Playground in Dorchester. Walsh was a fellow Irish-American, John During Walsh’s tenure, the dropout also resulted in more traffic conges- was there, looking very much like the Connolly, both were pressed to make rates for the Boston Public Schools tion. Walsh oversaw efforts to di- same figure stockpiling one-on-one the cast of city government a closer showed an overall decline and the versify transportation, with more contacts with voters at a polling place match for Boston’s increasingly di- high school graduation rate climbed lanes for bikes and buses. But, after or a candidate forum. verse population. to an all-time high in 2018, only to a succession of fare increases on the Through the rest of 2013, Menino In November 2014, as protests decline the following year. The lack MBTA, the same population strug- of overall progress was enough to gling disproportionately squeezed by trigger a heightened threat of inter- the housing market struggled with vention from the State Department of the cost of transportation and, in Elementary Education, coming less many cases, substandard service. than two months after the newest Boston School Superintendent, Bren- From Crisis Candidate da Cassellius, released her five-year to Anti-Trump Personage strategic plan. She is the fourth su- perintendent to serve under Walsh, The first crisis to confront Walsh making for the highest turnover rate as mayor was the closing of the Long of that office under any Boston may- Island Bridge, with a need to find im- or since at least the beginning of the mediate replacement for the loss of 20th century. the island’s recovery programs and shelter capacity. He responded with new facilities and new gains for tran- Growth, Displacement, sitional housing. But the troubling Arrested Development spectacle of unmet needs around homelessness and drug activity at In his first term, Walsh tried to Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea spur new kinds of growth, even for Cass Boulevard—much of it gravitat- Mayor Walsh used an excavator to ceremonially kick off construction for the hours when Boston’s vibrancy ing to Boston from other communi- One Seaport Square on Nov. 14, 2014. Mayor’s Office photo by Don Harney could be open for business. The possi- ties – remained in place, and, during March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 3 the pandemic, became even more alarming. In March 2020, when Boston had suffered only its second death from the pandemic, Walsh brought on the retired four-star general Stanley McChrystal as an emergency consul- tant for pandemic response. Follow- ing severe outbreaks in northern It- aly and New York City, there was an intense focus on stopping infections and adding capacity for treatment— even if it meant shutting thousands of people out of work and closing schools. Pandemic response also meant an extensive relief effort—in some cases building on grassroots efforts and support from business leaders. By January of this year, the “Boston Resiliency Fund” had distributed more than $30 million, mostly for basic needs and help with remote learning, along with support for first responders and healthcare workers. By the city’s count, more than half the grants went to organizations headed by women or people of color. Walsh had to simultaneously be a mayor for neighborhoods and down- town, but in a way not foreseen sev- en years earlier. The racial disparities in Boston’s pandemic figures were dramatic early on, with Blacks accounting for Mayor Walsh, surrounded by members of the Boston City Council and Superintendent Brenda Cassellius, announced more than 40 percent of the spread the district-wide closure of all Boston Public Schools as the Covid-19 pandemic hit the city in March 2020. almost through the end of April Isabel Leon/Mayor’s Office photo 2020. Though that figure would gradually decrease to less than 25 division between the champions of percent, the number of fatalities re- still being debated, most critically reforms in police accountability—ad- reopening and proponents of cau- mained disproportionately high. about whether a different mix of vanced by his own task force in 2020, tion. Instead, the mayor cast himself Walsh also had to contend with the leadership and resources could have but following a push by many other as the anti-Trump, as he had geared division between people who could speeded up reopening of schools, at elected officials from Boston—Walsh up his re-election campaign four work or study from home and those least for early grades. did invite the question of what might years earlier, in 2017. who depended on in-person contact As he was looking to another elec- have been accomplished sooner had If Trump claimed to be the one and for income and education. As he was tion year in 2021, Walsh could have he been more assertive. Even if his only person who could restore great- making his transition to become followed the playbook of Donald tenure provided less continuity than ness on a national scale, Walsh cast President Biden’s Secretary of La- Trump: boasting of the economic expected, he was still Trump’s op- himself as the city’s listener, learn- bor, questions about the balance be- growth before a pandemic inflicted posite: an agent of change, after all, er, and problem solver. By approving tween shutdown and reopening were from outside, or even reinforcing a but not on his own. CONGRATULATIONS, Mr. Secretary of Labor

All of us at the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute (LDBPI) celebrate former Mayor Marty Walsh’s confirmation by President Joseph R. Biden as the United States Secretary of Labor.

Since the earliest days of the LDBPI, then-State Representative Walsh stood alongside us. He walked with us, through the streets of Dorchester in our Annual Mother’s Day Walk for Peace, from the very beginning, alongside his mother, Mary. He worked with us to secure the resources we needed to serve families impacted by murder, trauma, grief, and loss with dignity and compassion, regardless of their circumstances. Furthermore, he worked with us to make sure our Peace Curriculum was implemented throughout Boston Public Schools – a tool for edu- cators and students to discuss grief and loss.

Over the years, he has become more than a support- er. He is a part of the LDBPI family. As Mayor, he has partnered with us to formalize protocols for ho- micide response to ensure that all families impacted by homicide are served equitably and effectively. From your Louis D. Brown Peace Institute family:

We are grateful for his partnership over the past 25 years. We are proud of our Mayor and our brother in service. We wish him godspeed as he joins President May the wind be Biden in the leadership of our nation, a nation that is truly in need of healing. always at your back. Page 4 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021 It’s farewell, not goodbye

By Frank Baker apply that “building people in Washington. sistence to advance the Marty Walsh has bridges” philosophy as And back in Dorches- city of Boston to greater been building relation- part of one of the most ter, everyone will still heights— with smarter ships for 25 years in inclusive and diverse have his cell phone budgets, better schools, and around elected of- presidential cabinets in number. and safer streets. fice. He understands US history. Marty and I attended While the majori- the value of leadership He will be a star as he St. Margaret’s gram- ty of the councillors and communication assists President Biden mar school together and bowed to advocates, more than any elected and Vice President Har- we have been in each their specific agendas, official I have ever met. ris as they position this other’s orbit ever since. and legislating with a And he genuinely cares country onto the right One of the greatest joys cancel-culture mindset, about you, the individ- trajectory— a direction of this friendship has Marty stayed true to ual. leading to a return of been witnessing Marty his principles; he knew You could feel that values-based leader- lead this amazing city he could not move the when he shook your ship and ethics-based as its mayor for the city forward without hand (pre-pandemic), government. He will past seven years. building relationships, looked you directly in be forward-leaning and Working with us on without collaborating the eye, and opened transparent and he will the City Council, Mar- with others who had his ears to the needs of serve loyally as one of ty has been a visionary opposing views, and, the community. He will the hardest-working and steadfast in his per- just as importantly,

Mayor Walsh signed an ordinance in 2015 as Coun- cillor Baker, right, looked on.

without maintaining ting another layer of civility in our political confidence, if you will, interactions. in public on what we’re And that approach is doing with our police just one way in which department.” Marty achieved, mak- In June, the city was ing a positive difference besieged at the height in today’s politics and of the Covid-19 pan- in this city. demic with widespread Mayor Walsh’s lists protests in reaction to of accomplishments the police killings of and policy achieve- George Floyd and Bre- ments are well-noted. I onna Taylor. Marty believe one of the last- viewed racism as just as ing impacts on our city much of a public health that reflect Marty’s ear- crisis as the Covid virus nest work and political and declared it as such. acumen are his actions While he diverted with police reform and money away from our navigating one of this police departments, he country’s most popu- made a point to em- lous cities through the phasize that support deadliest pandemic in for our women and men history. in police uniform was His accomplishments strong. And it is. and policy achieve- Through a public ments have been well health crisis, racial un- noted. I believe that rest, and trying budget- the lasting impacts on ary times, it has taken our city that will re- skilled and experienced flect Marty’s earnest leaders to make the work and political acu- hard decisions to keep men will be his actions Boston moving forward. with police reform and And Marty made his navigation of the them. well-being of the city he There were myriad governed through one challenges in our most of the deadliest pan- recent budget delibera- demics in history. tions, but we were able I have been very out- to approve that impor- spoken about support- tant piece of legisla- ing Boston Law En- tion during these cru- forcement and Black cial times. Passing the Lives Matter initiatives budget allowed our city “Thank you Mayor Walsh for your in our city. Marty Walsh to navigate through has done the same, de- this public health crisis livering results on his- and support our police leadership, support, and friendship. toric levels. Arrests are to continue to keep our down 30 percent since streets safe while un- he became mayor. derstanding the needs I especially thank you for your In his own words: and struggles of our fel- “We have a very strong low citizens. community policing That is what Marty collaboration with the City of model. I don’t tolerate Walsh has done since bad behavior, but I also Day One – understand, respect the hard work care for, and prior- that the men and wom- itize our citizens. And Brockton in 2020 as we battled the en of the Boston Police he will do the same as Department do every President Biden’s Sec- day, and they have not retary of Labor. COVID-19 pandemic. missed a beat as far He will be remem- as going to work every bered as a mayor who day and keeping people effectively led with a safe.” strong constitution to Marty has stated: do right by this city and Best of luck in Washington!” “Back in 2015, when its people. He will leave President Obama put Boston as one of its together his Task Force most popular mayors, on 21st Century Po- with a 69 percent fa- licing, we were part of vorability rating. Good that. There were lots luck in Washington, - Mayor Robert F. Sullivan of recommendations Marty. Boston’s loss is that came out of that the country’s gain. City of Brockton police report and Frank Baker repre- we instituted mostly sents District 3 on the all of them. So, a lot of Boston City Council. this work is just put- March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 5 ‘A Legacy of Labor’ – the story of the Walsh clan

In 2000, when Rep. Martin J. Walsh Irish Bakery in Adams Village. Mayor Walsh’s father John died all this way to marry a man who grew was still a back-bencher in the Leg- Shown, from left: The mayor’s mom in 2010 at age 82. In his obituary in up 20 miles from me,” Mary told the islature, he and his family were fea- Mary (O’Malley) Walsh, his brother, the Dorchester Reporter, Bill Forry Reporter. tured in World of Hibernia, a now-de- John Walsh, his cousin, Marty Walsh, wrote: “John died in his tidy first-floor The night back in 1997 — when funct magazine that focused on the his uncle Pat Walsh, then-Rep. bedroom on Taft Street, surrounded Marty won a special election to replace Irish diaspora. The story, titled “A Walsh, and his father, John Walsh. by family and the modest trappings Jim Brett in the State House— “was Legacy of Labor: The Walsh Family The story recounted the family’s of a hard-working life. the proudest moment in dad’s life,” of Dorchester,” was written by for- rise to prominence through union ac- ‘He would never, ever even think recalled Johnny Walsh, the mayor’s mer Dorchester Reporter editor Eoin tivism, primarily Laborer’s Local 223, of moving somewhere else,’” said his brother. “He absolutely loved, loved, Cannon, who would go on to become a headquartered in Dorchester. The widow, Mary (O’Malley) Walsh. loved local politics his whole life. And speechwriter for Mayor Walsh. It was mayor’s uncle Pat, who died in 2012 The mayor’s parents met at a Rox- for his own son to win… it was easily accompanied by this photo of the clan at age 90, led the union for decades. bury dance shortly after they emi- his proudest moment.” gatheredProject2_Layout around 1 2/6/21 a table 9:08 at PM Greenhills Page 1 Today, his son Marty is the president. grated and married in 1965. “I moved

Mayor Walsh, thank you for the years of service to Gavin Foundation - as a member of our Board of Directors, a political leader and a community member.

All of us in the recovery community are extremely grateful for your friendship and proud of your accomplishments for the City of Boston.

As you head to Washington to become America’s Secretary of Labor please know we are filled with optimism and pride.

Congratulations from all of us at Gavin Foundation.

GAVIN FOUNDATION Page 6 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021 Jim Brett on Marty Walsh: A leader from a young age

By James T. Brett Legislature to lead the New housing. He was also fiscally Watching him as a young England Council, Marty ran responsible and maintained man playing sports in the for my open seat at the State the city’s top bond rating. ballfields and basketball House. He was elected in a courts of Dorchester, you special election in 1997 and He had an open door poli- could see that Marty Walsh served in that position for 16 cy; Marty just wanted to help was a born leader who grew years. In that office, he took Boston be a great city. He into those skills by being on many of the issues that I welcomed everyone on that a good listener, by caring continue to work on, includ- mission. He brings people to- about others and his commu- ing improving the quality gether. nity, and, simply, by being a of life for people with dis- Marty possesses a quality good friend. abilities. He also served on rarely seen in politicians. He Having known Marty for committees and supported doesn’t hold onto a score card nearly 35 years, I can say programs to help individuals and list who was with him that I am not surprised at struggling with substance and who was against him. what he has achieved. I am abuse. His office has always been also very proud of him as a When Marty moved on to open to all who had good fellow Dorchester resident become the mayor of Bos- ideas. and lifelong civic servant. ton, it was another moment Marty may be a good speak- Marty has always had a of great pride for my friend. er, but he’s a better listener. great way of making friends. Knowing how monumental The Secretary of Labor po- He has also been a role model the job was, I only called him sition is the perfect job for for so many young people in on occasion when I would get him. He will be an advocate Dorchester: He worked hard requests from people in the for all workers. He will also at his job and worked equally neighborhood who were look- be in a position to help people hard helping others. ing for help for a loved one with disabilities as the com- He was involved as a Lit- In June 2019, Mayor Walsh presented the ‘Originally from with substance abuse prob- munity continues to work on tle League coach for many Dorchester’ award on behalf of the Dorchester YMCA to for- lems. No matter how busy, issues like equal pay and ac- years in Savin Hill. He got to mer State Rep. James T. Brett, whom Walsh succeeded as the he would always respond cess to the workforce. He will know the kids and their fam- state representative from the 13th Suffolk district in 1997. right away and be there to have a lot on his plate, but I Brett is now president and CEO of the New England Council. ilies. I’d see him at the Lit- Isabel Leon/Mayor Walsh’s office photo help. believe Marty is up for the tle House playing basketball It is clear that he loves challenge. He will do a great with the neighborhood kids in politics at a young age. I in Marty what we all saw – a that work – making a differ- job. Of all of the Secretaries or at the Ryan Playground. served as a state represen- caring, good person. ence in someone’s life. I have of Labor in our history, the I’d also see him at church. tative for Dorchester for 16 In addition to our Dorches- met so many people who said one people will remember He was the consummate years and he worked on all ter roots, Marty and I share “Marty was there for me.” will be Marty Walsh. community leader, among of my campaigns. He liked our Irish heritage. We are Looking back at his first Marty has always been an the youngest ever to serve as meeting people and learning both first generation Irish. election, for example, Mar- advocate for the ‘little guy’ as an officer of a civic associa- and discussing the issues. My parents emigrated in the ty did very well across the a state rep and as the mayor, tion in Dorchester. I remem- We both attended St. Mar- 1920s from Sligo. His parents city. He was supported by all and now he will be the same ber attending many meet- garet’s school and the Sis- came in the 1950s from Gal- groups, all ages, throughout on the national stage. He will ings of the Columbia Savin ters of Charity always spoke way and Rosmuc. That expe- the neighborhoods. He was be that same person in Wash- Hill Civic Association, where highly of him. He was a good rience led to a deep apprecia- a mayor for all of the city. ington, D.C. – defending the Marty and other community student and a solid young tion of family values, respect, He demonstrated that in his dignity and quality of life for leaders tackled the issues man. and the value of work. We work ethic. He was out in all, while never forgetting his that mattered to the neigh- Among Marty’s many are very proud of our neigh- public constantly, working Dorchester roots. borhoods. friends over the years was borhood and our roots. on issues of education, pub- Congratulations, Marty! Marty was also interested Joe Biden, who, I think, saw When I moved on from the lic health, safety, affordable

Then Candidate for Mayor Marty Walsh took a moment after placing his vote to visit a CRB classroom. "Everyone should have a dream and you must follow that dream." November 5, 2013.

Congratulations Mayor Walsh! Thank you for your support of Cristo Rey Boston and for sharing our commitment to creating opportunity for under-resourced students across Boston. Seats available for Fall 2021 Admission

www.cristore yboston.org 100 Savin Hill Avenue, Dorchester MA March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 7 CONGRATULATIONS! A win for working people all across America

MAYOR MARTY WALSH United States Secretary of Labor A Card carrying union member: Laborers' Local Union 223

EMAIL LIST Follow US! @MASSAFLCIO @MASSAFLCIO

Steven A. Tolman, President MASSAFLCIO.ORG Louis A. Mandarini Secretary-Treasurer

The role of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO is to serve as the unified voice of over 800 local unions and 400,000 organized workers in the Commonwealth, and to be a voice for all working people, those in unions and those not yet organized. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families—by working for economic, social and racial justice in the workplace, in our communities, our state and in our nation. Our vision is of a fair and just society that benefits all working people, not a system that’s rigged in favor of the wealthy few. Page 8 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021

The candidates for 13th Suffolk state representative were shown during a candidate’s forum in Fields Corner in Jan. 1997. From left: Charles Tevnan, Mar- tha Coakley, Charlie Burke, James Hunt III, Martin J. Walsh and Edward Regal. Bill Forry photo How it started: Marty Walsh’s first campaign

By Bill Forry a popular figure in his district. But Despite coming up short, Walsh III, who could mine from deep po- Reporter Editor once it became apparent that at least showed considerable organizational litical and civic veins in Neponset. Marty Walsh is undefeat- one candidate— Neponset’s Charlie strength in his rookie electoral out- Hunt had served as chief of staff ed when his name has appeared Burke— was intent on seeking to ing. He blew away all other hopefuls to state Sen. Paul White, who then on ballots in Boston. By our win the seat outright using a stick- in his home base precincts in Ward represented the area and was a be- count he’s 22-0. Not too shabby. er/write-in campaign, everyone else 13, where he was born and raised. loved figure. Another candidate, But there’s an asterisk involved: in the field followed suit. All, that is, But he also won in Ward 16, which in- Ed Regal from the St. Mark’s area He did, technically, come in third except a political newcomer, an as- cluded precincts in Neponset, Fields in Ward 16, also joined the fray. in his inaugural election day effort. sistant district attorney in Middle- Corner, and the St. Mark’s Area. It Another compelling candidate was Confused? Well, buckle up. A sex County, who had just recently was a signal to his supporters and Rosemary Powers, a well-known strange thing happened on the settled on Pope’s Hill, and who ended rivals that the fresh-faced, red-head- civic figure in Columbia-Savin Hill way to Walsh’s first-ever victory up urging her supporters to vote for ed baseball coach was more than and a vocal proponent of tough- in March 1997 when he, then 29, Brett. Her name: Martha Coakley. just a contender. Suddenly, he was ening Boston’s residency require- won a six-way race to fill the - va In one sense, the sticker campaign a front-runner for the special elec- ments. She and Walsh were seen cant 13th Suffolk state rep seat didn’t work out for those who par- tion that would no doubt come next. as rivals and shared a base in Ward held by Savin Hill’s Jim Brett. ticipated. Brett, who had already 13. Her husband Coleman had re- But the March 1997 special election moved on to lead the New England In the first week in January, placed Walsh as president of the was not Walsh’s first effort to replace Council, piled up 4,144 votes, in the Speaker of the Massachusetts influential Columbia-Savin Hill Brett, who had announced his plan large part because his name was House— Mattapan’s Tom Finner- Civic Association the year before. to leave his seat vacant the previous the only choice on the ballot for the an— set the date of the special elec- Powers was impressive — she September. Walsh, and several oth- state rep’s seat. In second place: tion to fill Brett’s seat: Tues., March went on to run state Sen. Jack er would-be successors, first sought “Blanks” with 2,896. Marty Walsh 11. It was going to be a sprint, Hart’s office, served as a key aide to to “beat” Brett during the November was next in line with 1,953, well but the field that had taken form Gov. Deval Patrick, and now runs ‘96 general election by using stickers. ahead of the fourth-place finisher, months earlier was still largely in- the Cristo Rey School in Savin Hill. It was an awkward political dy- Charles Tevnan, an attorney rooted tact. In addition to Walsh, Burke, She and Walsh would’ve carved namic. Brett, who had run for mayor in Ashmont-Adams who managed Coakley, and Tevnan, there was an- up the Savin Hill vote to devas- and lost to Tom Menino in 1993, was to get 847 sticker or write-in votes. other young attorney, James Hunt tating effect for each candidate. But on Jan. 9, she withdrew from the race and threw her support to Walsh telling the Reporter: “I’m go- ing to work hard for Marty. I’m going to ask people I know to do the same.” Walsh told us: “It’s nice to have. I welcome her support. I have to go out and touch every vote. I’m going to try to outwork everyone else.” He and his campaign manag- er, Michael McDevitt, could now stop worrying as much about an internecine fight among Savin Hill’s tightly packed three-deckers. As I wrote at the time: “Now that Walsh is the sole master of Ward 13, he can pour all of his considerable support into the breach while the six Ward 16 candidates chew each other up.” But the field of possibles was not yet done contracting. Barry Mul- len, a St. Mark’s Civic Association leader who had toyed with a run himself, decided not to after Pow- ers made her exit, throwing his support to Hunt, saying: “ I feel he’s doing it for the community and not for his own personal gain.” After the first of several candidate forums on Jan. 28 in Fields Corner, the Reporter’s front page trumpet- ed: Fireworks Begin in 13th Suf- folk Race.” Walsh, recognizing that the contest would likely be a two- The five candidates who competed in the preliminary election for 13th Suffolk were shown after a debate held at man race between him and Hunt, the JFK Library in February 1997. From left: Ed Regal, Charles Tevnan, Jim Hunt III, Martin J. Walsh and Martha targeted his rival directly for not Coakley. Harry Brett photo having a public safety plan. “I have March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 9

The debate stage at the Kennedy Library on Feb. 24, 1997. From left: Martha Coakley, Jim Hunt, State Rep. Charlotte Golar-Richie, Ed Regal, Charlie Tevnan and Martin J. Walsh. Harry Brett photo the guts to put it in writing,” Walsh told him. as committed to or leaning towards a candidate. tined one day to win an at-large council seat and Hunt fired back: “I don’t have paid people writing It wasn’t quite enough, though. When the clock launch a campaign to succeed Walsh as mayor. for me and developing those plans.” He sought to struck eight and the first Bud Lights cracked “I’m very happy and proud of the campaign we exploit the opening, describing Walsh’s resume as open, the results quickly showed a Walsh edge. ran,” Walsh beamed. “Everybody who helped me “vague,” adding, “after four months of campaign- The unofficially tally was Walsh 2,085 and Hunt conducted themselves in a classy way.” He added: ing against you, I still don’t know much about you.” 1,839. Tevnan was strong with 1,039 votes. Mar- I look forward to working with all of my ex-op- On Feb. 24, two weeks before the primary elec- tha Coakley, who would go on to become the state’s ponents. As we said before, we’ll all be friends.” tion that would decide the outcome among the attorney general, was a spoiler of sorts, plucking On April 11, Walsh cruised to his second election all-Democrat field, the Reporter staged a debate another 716 votes, mainly from Neponset pre- victory as the unopposed Democratic nominee for at the John F. Kennedy Library. I was a pan- cincts. Eddie Regal rounded out the field with 612. state representative. He was seated two weeks later. elist — and timekeeper—along with John Krall, In context, Walsh had barely survived. He He never lost a bid for re-election, and was president of the now-defunct Dorchester Allied grew his total from the November sticker cam- only challenged once, in 2002 by a former Neighborhood Associations, and Jose Duarte, the paign by a less than a hundred votes. To this supporter, Ed Geary, Jr. It wasn’t a contest. principal of the Grover Cleveland School. Rep. day, some of Hunt’s stalwarts say that an- Geary launched his campaign after it looked Charlotte Golar-Richie, who would one day com- other week would have changed the outcome. like Walsh would be leaving the Legislature. Sec- pete with Walsh for mayor, was the moderator. But the numbers didn’t take the edge off the retary of State William Galvin had proposed that More than 400 people packed the Stephen sweetness of victory that night. Walsh gathered Walsh fill the vacant Registry of Deeds position, Smith room for a 90-minute program that be- at the IBEW Union Hall on Freeport Street with but after initially accepting Galvin’s offer, Walsh gan with one of the six candidates, Charlie several hundred supporters, many of them fellow reversed course and decided to run for re-election. Burke, using his opening statement to with- laborers from the 223 local that his dad, uncle, and At the time, he told the Reporter that he draw from the race. (I was so stunned that assorted cousins controlled. Stae Sen. Stephen wouldn’t rule out running for another office in the I neglected to grasp the moment and rang a Lynch and Rep. Jack Hart came by to congratulate future, saying, “I may still do that someday when bell midway through his speech, not realizing him. Also in the crowd: one of his sandbox friends the opportunity is right. Right now, I’m not done that he’d be exiting stage left momentarily.) and super-volunteers, Annissa Essaibi, des- being a state rep.” Burke added intrigue to the moment by re- vealing that his own polling data revealed that it was a two-person race and he was not in the mix. “In this race, while I’m many people’s sec- ond choice, you run to win, not to come close.” While he did not explicitly back any oth- er candidate, Burke’s exit was widely seen as an assist for Hunt, who was gaining trac- tion as the number of dawns before elec- tion day could be counted on two hands. The rest of the debate was substantive and, at times, testy, with most everyone challenging Walsh with tough questions. “I wish Charlie Burke were still here,” Walsh joked at one point. Hunt targeted Walsh for using an expensive hired consultant, Worcester Mayor Ray Mariano, to help direct his election, but Walsh was ready: “I, unfortunately, don’t have an elected official help- ing me,” he rejoined, a reference to Sen. White. The ascendant nature of Hunt’s cam- paign was again underlined when Tevnan noted that the 24-year-old, youthful-look- ing law student “lives at home with his par- ents.” It was a line that elicited more than a few groans for Hunt’s loyalists in the room. Walsh finished the night still in control, but with a resurgent Hunt, buoyed by Burke’s exit, gaining steam. A pre-election night rally at Florian Hall gave the rival camps a chance to flex their strength, and it was clear that the blue and red Hunt signs and the white and red Walsh signs would be the story the next day. Election day turnout was steady throughout the day, but particularly strong in Walsh’s Ala- mo— Ward 13, precinct 10, St. William School on Savin Hill Avenue, where he could count on a lopsided margin and a gauntlet of poll work- ers led by Danny ‘Budso’ Ryan, one of Walsh’s closest allies throughout his career. He end- ed up with 436 votes at 13/10 on his way to winning 69 percent of the vote in Ward 13. In Neponset, Hunt’s forces countered by pulling 75. Or so volunteers off the polls and sending them door-to-door onto the side streets of St. Ann’s par- ish to track down and drag out his “ones and twos,” campaign jargon for voters who had been identified Page 10 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021

Best of Luck, Secretary of Labor Walsh! The Greater Boston Labor Council congratulates you, Marty Walsh, on your new role as U.S. Secretary of Labor. As Mayor, you lifted up working families in Boston and fought for a more equitable city for all.

We are proud that the first union member Secretary of Labor is from Boston and we know that you will bring your union card to D.C. and work tirelessly for America’s working-class communities.

We look forward to your leadership in Washington as you take on the monumental and sacred task of protecting and defending the rights of America’s workers including fighting for pay equity, childcare that works for working families, and the PRO Act.

From all of us at the Greater Boston Labor Council: Darlene Lombos, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Louis Mandarini, Jr., President, Jessica Tang, Vice President and our executive board unions

• 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East • Metro Boston Building Trades Council • AFSCME Council 93 • North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters • American Postal Workers Union Local 100 • Office & Professional Union (OPEIU) Local 6 • A. Phillip Randolph Institute Boston Chapter • Painters Union (IUPAT) DC 35 • Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589 • Pipefitters Local 537 • Boston Firefighters Local 718 • Pride at Work Eastern Massachusetts • Boston Teachers Union (AFT) Local 66 • SEIU 32BJ Property Service Workers • Electrial Workers (IBEW) Local 103 • SEIU Local 509 • Electrial Workers (IBEW) Local 1505 • SEIU Local 888 • Electrial Workers (IBEW) Local 2222 • Stagehands Union (I.A.T.S.E.) Local 11 • Government Employees (NAGE) Local 5000 • Teamsters Local 25 • Hotel Workers, UNITE HERE Local 26 • UNITE HERE New England Joint Board • Machinists Union (IAM) District 15 • United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1445 • Mail Handlers (NPMHU) Local 301 • United Steelworkers (USW) District 4 • Massachusetts Alliance for Retired Americans • Utility Workers of America (UWUA) Local 369 • Massachusetts Nurses Association March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 11

MAYORThank WALSH You for your years of dedication to Dorchester and to us. Here’s to a true Dorchester Uncornered Champion. You showed us how much someone can do when they get a second chance. The country is lucky to be getting a leader who will fight for all the people who need someone to believe in them.

FDNH

Photo by johnhuet.com Page 12 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021 Covering Marty Walsh for the Boston Herald By Dave Wedge in to say hello and welcome me was on his back porch and even met up at relatives. He was as comfortable at Sometime around 2005, I was pro- Marty Walsh. I didn’t know much a few Patriots games. And of course, Dudley as he was at McKenna’s. moted at the Boston Herald from about him at the time other than that he and Lorrie handed out lots and One of Marty’s first jobs upon tak- a breaking news reporter to the his office was down the hall and that lots of candy on Halloween and we ing office in 2014 was to help the city political team. he represented Dorchester. Little did always had a good time bringing our recover from the 2013 Boston Mara- I was assigned to the Massachu- I know it would be the beginning of a son by the house. thon bombings. He picked up where setts State House. While I had cov- productive professional relationship I also had a close working relation- Menino left off and made sure the ered a good deal of local politics and eventually a great friendship. ship with Mayor Thomas M. Menino. survivors had the resources they throughout my career at the Her- Marty gave me his cell phone num- He and Marty were two of a handful needed, helped direct aid to impacted ald and smaller newspapers, being ber and was always quick to help of people who I was confident knew businesses and led the city’s efforts to thrust into the sharp elbow world of point me in the right direction on a the city as well as anyone and could rebuild and heal. the Golden Dome was a bit daunting. story. Our relationship continued as be trusted to tell me when the infor- That 2014 Boston Marathon was The Herald’s office was more like a I moved over to Boston City Hall and mation I had on a story was accu- as inspiring an event as I’ve experi- supply closet with a couple desks up covered a wide variety of city issues. rate, or if I was barking up the wrong enced. Security was overwhelming, on the fifth floor. The office was two In 2006, we became neighbors tree. They didn’t always like what but it was the largest Boston Mara- floors above and a world away from when my family moved from South I had, but neither ever lied to me, thon in history, proving that Boston the press gallery and as far away Boston to a condo on Sudan Street something I unfortunately can’t say Strong was indeed much more than from the governor, speaker and sen- in Savin Hill, just a few streets over for every politician in this town. just a media slogan. Marty was there ate president offices as you could get. from the mayor’s former home on When Menino announced that he at the finish line, watching as those Probably for good reason. Taft Street. We became friends, shar- would not seek re-election in 2013, who nearly lost their life and rela- One of the first pols who stopped ing breakfasts at McKenna’s, cigars Marty gave me a heads-up that he tives of those who did, finished the was getting in the race. Although race in triumph. the field was tough, I was pretty sure He wrote the foreword for my book from the beginning that he’d win. I about the bombings, “Boston Strong: knew that he had the drive, the ex- A City’s Triumph Over Tragedy,” perience and the political organiza- which I wrote with my co-author tion to win a city election. But more Casey Sherman. Marty worked with importantly, he was compassionate, the producers of the film based on our loved the city and had an inspiring book, “Patriots Day,” to make sure personal story of recovery and over- the city was represented accurately coming obstacles. and respectfully. I mean, he overcame being shot When the pandemic hit Boston in and turned his life around in a mirac- 2020, Marty, like all elected leaders, ulous way that I have always respect- was thrust into a great unknown. ed. I knew quite a lot of guys with There was no handbook for how to that kind of background from my handle a global pandemic and we all upbringing in Brockton and suffice to learned on the fly, including Mayor say, none of them were running for Walsh. mayor. As he heads to Washington, I’m The day I really knew he was go- thankful for the personal advice and ing to win was when I was covering friendship, but more importantly, for the campaign in 2013 and we were his undying commitment to Boston. at Dudley Station. Everyone there Marty Walsh is a true son of Dorches- knew him and he knew all of them. ter and I’m sure his determination, This wasn’t Savin Hill. But the folks grit, experience, fortitude and savvy in Dudley knew him because he had relationship skills will yield great re- helped someone in their family get a turns for our nation and our city. job or get into recovery, or they had Dave Wedge is a communications mutual friends or knew one another’s consultant.

Representative Walsh – Mayor Walsh and now Secretary Walsh but always … MARTY!! Congratulations to someone who has never forgotten where they came from … or where they’re going.

From all your family and friends in the Norwood “area” The O’Malleys • The Rogers Family • The Carroll Family The Sheehan Family • The Currans • The McDonough’s • The Conneelys Connemara Roots • 223 Proud March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 13 MARTY WALSH: UNION MADE, UNION STRONG

CONGRATULATIONS FROM PIPEFITTERS LOCAL 537!

On behalf of the full Pipefitters Local 537 community, we extend our proud congratulations to our newly-confirmed U.S. Secretary of Labor, Martin J. Walsh.

President Joe Biden has promised to be the “strongest labor president” in American history, and Secretary Walsh will be right there with him, fighting for the American worker.

Secretary Walsh has been a longtime friend and ally to Local 537 and to all working people. We trust that Marty will look out for working men and women because that's what he's always done. While we'll miss running into Marty in Dorchester and at union events, we couldn't be more proud to send him off to Washington, D.C.

Congrats, Marty!

Thomas P. Kerr, Jr. Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer Pipefitters Local 537

Follow Pipefitters Local 537: Pipefitters Local 537 40 Enterprise Street, Dorchester, MA 02125

Visit us at | Pipefitters537.org Page 14 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021 Keep track of City Hall transition, election news at the Lit Drop This is going be interesting. The race to succeed Bostonian with a thirst for this stuff, the Dorches- Our team will be drop- Mayor Walsh has begun in earnest. There’s going ter Reporter and our website, DotNews.com, is ping daily jewels on the lat- to be news breaking left and right and if you’re a your best bet to track it all. est machinations, endorse- ments, and candidates for mayor and council at our vertical site, the Lit Drop. Additionally, we’ll be bring- ing you our expert analysis on what it all means dur- ing a year of monumental change for this town. Find it all at DotNews.com/LitDrop. For those who have not been immersed in the trenches of a political campaign in Boston’s neigh- borhoods, Lit Drop is a reference to a tried-and- true campaign tool: Sending an army of volunteers across a ward or precinct to hand-deliver campaign literature right to voters’ doors. The Reporter first rolled out the Lit Drop in 2013— the last time there was a wide-open, com- petitive mayoral election in the city. It’s time to put the band back together. You can also follow us on Twitter @LitDrop. Keep an eye on this space for updates. -Bill Forry, Editor

A special supplement to The Reporter “The News & Values Around the Neighborhood” A publication of Boston Neighborhood News Inc. 150 Mt. Vernon St., Dorchester, MA 02125 Worldwide at dotnews.com Mary Casey Forry, Publisher (1983-2004) William P. Forry, Publisher/Editor Edward W. Forry, Associate Publisher Thomas F. Mulvoy, Jr., Associate Editor Barbara Langis, Production Manager Jack Conboy, Advertising Manager Maureen Forry-Sorrell, Advertising Sales News Room Phone: 617-436-1222, ext. 17 Advertising: 617-436-1222 x14 E-mail: [email protected] The Reporter is not liable for errors appearing in advertisements beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. The right is reserved by The Reporter to edit, reject, or cut any copy without notice. Member: Dorchester Board of Trade, Mattapan Board of Trade All contents © Copyright 2021 Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 15 Massachusetts House members who served in a president’s cabinet

From Beacon Hill to Cabinet position, from left, William Eustis, Revolutionary War Gen. Henry Knox, Caleb Cushing and Maurice Tobin.

By Colin A. Young State House News Service Mayor Walsh has been saying that he is going to bring Boston with him when he goes to Washington to serve in the Biden adminis- tration as secretary of Labor. Whether he intends to pack it or not, Walsh will also have a bit of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in tow as he heads south. If he is confirmed by the US Senate, he will be the latest in a line of at least a dozen men to serve in both the Massachusetts House and in a presidential cabinet. Most recent on the list was Rep. Andrew Card, a Holbrook Republican who served about eight years in the House in the late 1970s and early 1980s and served as transporta- tion secretary under Presi- dent George H.W. Bush in 1992 and 1993. Notably, he also served for five years as George W. Bush’s chief of staff in the White House. There’s also George Mey- er, a Massachusetts House speaker in the late 19th century who was postmas- ter general under President Theodore Roosevelt and secretary of the Navy un- Mayor Walsh acknowledged Gov. Baker’s mention of him as audience members in the House Chamber applauded during the der President William How- governor’s State of the Commonwealth speech in 2017. Sam Doran/SHNS photo ard Taft. Richard Olney spent one term in the House in Beacon Hill and later of war in September 1789. the Governor’s Council from When his diplomatic ser- tered politics at 25 when he served as President Grover “In this capacity, he devel- May 1807 to December 1808. vice ended in 1845, Cushing took a seat in the Massachu- Cleveland’s attorney gen- oped a plan for a national When James Madison returned to the Massachu- setts House in 1927, serving eral and secretary of state. militia, setting a precedent became president in 1809, setts House and later com- just two years. After years But Walsh, who was elect- that guided the new na- he appointed Eustis as his manded the 1st Massachu- on the Boston School Com- ed to the House in 1997 and tion’s military training for secretary of war. When ten- setts Volunteer Regiment mittee, the protégé of James served until he was sworn more than a century and a sions with Great Britain during the Mexican-Amer- Michael Curley surprised in as Boston mayor in early half,” according to the Na- boiled over in 1812, Eustis ican War as a colonel. His the political world by chal- 2014, will, on Senate approv- tional Library for the Study found himself trying to run gubernatorial campaigns in lenging his mentor’s mayoral al, bring a much longer Mas- of George Washington. Knox a war on a budget and was 1847 and 1848 were unsuc- bid and beating him in 1937. sachusetts House tenure to retired from the Cabinet at criticized greatly for his per- cessful, and he returned to He was elected governor of his new federal post than any the end of 1794 and retired ceived failings in the early the Mass. House in 1850. Massachusetts in 1944 and of his predecessors. From the to his mansion in Thom- months of the conflict. He He turned down the chance served one two-year term. very first presidential Cabi- aston, Maine. He did not resigned the Cabinet posi- to be Massachusetts attor- “During his tenure, the fair net to the one that is still in stray too far from public tion effective in early Janu- ney general in 1851 to serve employment practices bill the planning stages, here’s a life and was seated in the ary 1813 and the next year as mayor of Newburyport. was sanctioned; and work- snapshot of some of the peo- Massachusetts House as a was appointed diplomatic In 1852, Cushing was ap- men’s unemployment and ple who have both Bay State representative from the ter- envoy to the Netherlands. pointed to the Massachusetts compensation benefits were House service and Cabinet ritories that would become Eustis returned to the US Supreme Judicial Court and improved,” the National service on their resumes: the state of Maine in 1820. House in 1820 to fill a vacan- in 1853 was appointed US Governors Association said • Henry Knox: Gen. Knox • William Eustis: By the cy and was subsequently ree- attorney general by Pres- of Tobin’s time in office. He is most well-known for lead- time he became a member lected for another term. After ident Franklin Pierce. He campaigned for Harry Tru- ing the Herculean effort to of the House of Represent- three unsuccessful attempts, served in the Cabinet until man in 1948 was chosen by drag 60 tons worth of can- atives in 1788, Eustis had he was elected governor of March 1857, then again re- the president to serve as his nons and other weaponry been trained under Dr. Jo- Massachusetts in 1823 and turned to the Mass. House in secretary of labor. The US from Fort Ticonderoga some seph Warren, had graduat- served until his death from 1858, 1859, 1862 and 1863. Department of Labor noted 300 miles to Boston in order ed from Harvard College, pneumonia in February 1825. In the late 1860s, Cushing that its “budget and staff to fortify Dorchester Heights had treated the wounded at • Caleb Cushing: This son was dispatched to Colom- were restored and interna- and force the British to evac- the Battle of Bunker Hill, of the North Shore entered bia to help negotiate a trea- tional responsibilities were uate Boston on March 17, and was the surgeon for the Harvard at around 13 years ty for a canal to move ships strengthened” under Tobin; 1776. The Boston-born book- militia that was sent to put old and served multiple across the isthmus of Pana- that he “made effective use seller worked closely with down Shays’ Rebellion. He stints in the Massachusetts ma. President Ulysses Grant of his Trade Union Advisory George Washington and was served in the Massachu- House in the 1820s, 1830s, nominated him to be chief Committee for International named chief of the Continen- setts House until 1794, when 1840s, 1850s, and 1860s. justice of the Supreme Court Affairs in mobilizing Amer- tal Army artillery. He then he declared himself «sick He was first elected to the in 1874, but the nomina- ican unions’ support in the took over command of the of the whole of this kind of House in 1825, served in the tion was quickly withdrawn rebuilding of war ravaged United States Army upon life.» He chose instead to state Senate in 1827 and re- when it became clear that Europe under the Marshall Washington’s resignation take up another kind of life: joined the House in 1833 and the Senate would not confirm Plan”; and that he consol- amid demobilization in 1783. that of a member of the US 1834. He was elected to Con- him. Cushing died in 1879. idated “most of the widely After the Revolutionary War, House of Representatives in gress in 1834 and served as • Maurice Tobin: Of all dispersed government labor Knox served the Congress of the Seventh and Eighth Con- a member of the US House the men who have served in functions” under his depart- the Confederation as secre- gresses, serving from March from 1835 until 1843. He did the Massachusetts House and ment. He served as secretary tary at war between 1785 and 1801 to March 1805. His not stand for renomination a presidential cabinet, Mau- of labor until the end of the 1789, and was appointed by 1804 reelection campaign in 1842, and in 1843 was rice Tobin has the most in Truman administration in Washington to serve as the unsuccessful, Eustis instead tapped by President John common with Marty Walsh. early 1953 and died sud- new country’s first secretary found himself serving on Tyler to be envoy to China. The Mission Hill native en- denly in July of that year. Page 16 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021 Congratulations to our Mayor Marty Walsh as he begins

Greg and Brendan Feeney his new post as U.S. Secretary Feeney Brothers Utility Services 103 Clayton Street Dept. of Labor Dorchester, MA 02122

Congratulations to Long-Time Labor Champion Marty Walsh on his Confirmation as the U.S. Secretary of Labor!

Marty will be the firstcard-carrying union member to serve as Labor Secretary in nearly 50 years and will bring an unmatched depth of understanding, compassion, and dedication to the position at a key point in time, as the nation’s economy and workers overcome the impact of COVID-19. He will be a critical voice for America’s working families as a cabinet member in President Biden’s administration, and we are proud to support his appointment.

- Jeffrey Sullivan - Business Manager / Secretary-Treasurer IUPAT District Council 35 March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 17

A Labor Secretary for Working People Congratulations Marty Walsh! From Operating Engineers Local 4

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 4 proudly represents over 5,000 heavy equipment operators, mechanics, surveyors, equipment house employees, wastewater technicians, and apprentices across New England. Our team has had the pleasure of working alongside Secretary Walsh to build our region’s future for many years, first when he served as President of Laborers’ Local 223 and later as General Agent of the Greater Boston Building Trades Unions and Mayor of Boston. As a second-generation union member, Marty knows the power of working people standing together for a better life. Like Secretary Walsh, Local 4 believes in building an economy where all workers can thrive and access family-sustaining careers. As the first card-carrying union member to serve as U.S. Secretary of Labor in nearly 50 years, we know Marty will fight for this future every day as Labor Secretary. From all of us at Local 4, we wish him the very best. In Solidarity,

William D. McLaughlin Business Manager, Operating Engineers Local 4 Vice President, Greater Boston Building Trades Unions Vice President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO

Above: President/Business Representative Michael J. Bowes, Organizer/Legislative Representative Christopher L. Carey, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Business Manager William D. McLaughlin, Vice President/Business Representative David F. Shea, Jr. at Boston’s 2020 Labor Day Parade Page 18 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021

For your compassion... For your dedication... For making a difference... Thank you, Mayor Walsh. The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and our twenty-one Boston community health centers congratulate Mayor Marty Walsh on this next phase of his public service career. The League and its members are grateful for your longstanding support of community health centers in furthering their mission of providing a trusted local source of health care, hope and opportunity for individuals and families. Our patients and communities thank you!

massleague.org March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 19 Page 20 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021 The Marty Party How Walsh’s ‘pragmatic progressivism’ evolved as state rep

This article originally appeared in “He caught some grief for that,” the Dorchester Reporter on Jan. 9, 2004. says Flaherty, whose wife, Rose- mary, is Hart’s chief of staff. “But By Jim O’Sullivan the fact of the matter was, he Marty Walsh was going fish- stuck with the neighborhood.” ing, right there in the basement of ‘I get right involved’ St. Brendan’s. He baited the hook The neighborhood has changed. with budget cuts and cast for a When Walsh was elected in 1997, bite with a line about “controver- he beat out a field of other Irish sial issues.” He waited, eyeing the Americans to represent a district crowd of mostly middle-aged and packed with Irish Americans. And, elderly, socially conservative Cedar while Walsh’s tribe still wields the Grove residents. Catholics, large- bulk of the electoral clout, a conflu- ly, not disposed to be warmly re- ence of redistricting, immigration, ceptive to a challenge from a local and the political maturation of dif- state representative to the Church ferent demographics have forged on its stand against gay marriage. a new face for the 13th Suffolk. No nibbles. Walsh dealt a few In Walsh’s State House office, for glancing blows to Gov. Mitt Romney, a long time, that diversity found thanked John O’Toole of the Cedar representation in staffers with Grove Civic Association, and returned last names like McHugh, Dunn, to the wall, looking a touch disappoint- McLaughlin, and Moran. Diver- ed that he hadn’t been able to reel in sity meant Irish Catholics from the big one. The redhead likes a fight. both St. Ann’s and St. Brendan’s. And he’s adamant on this one, But last summer, Walsh hired riled by the Catholic hierarchy’s Thien Nguyen, a Vietnamese-Amer- demands that Catholic legislators ican graduate of UCal-Berkeley. heed its doctrine. Walsh has rea- Nguyen, who lives in Malden, speaks soned through his stance on gay fluent Vietnamese, a skill Walsh marriage, and come to a conclusion. says is important in a district where He champions civil unions and, on neighborhoods like Fields Corner an up-down vote on gay marriage, are populated heavily with Viet- says he would be for it. He’s at vo- namese Americans who have begun cal odds with a popular local pastor, to exercise their political potential. both claiming widespread support. Rep. Martin J. Walsh outside the Massachusetts State House in a photo from “The last couple of years, there It’s a progressive stand for a white 2003. Below: Rep. Walsh clearing his Jeep of flakes during a snow storm on have been certain instances where Irish-Catholic from Savin Hill, and Pleasant Street in 2004. Reporter file photo/Bill Forry photo we’ve had a huge language barri- the six-year State House veteran er,” Walsh says. “And after my last knows there are corners of his dis- re-election, I noticed that Vietnam- trict where he’ll be vilified. Still, ese people, a lot of them weren’t com- he doesn’t hide from the controver- fortable with dealing with the gov- sy, and on a cold January night in ernment. I realized that fact, and I St. Brendan’s, goes trolling for it. said, I have to do something about it.” Walsh’s combativeness, and his Enter Nguyen. She helped eagerness to address an array of put together 2,000 pieces of di- issues, has carried the former Co- rect-mail literature in Vietnam- lumbia-Savin Hill Civic president ese, all of them touting Walsh. farther left than he would have im- “I’d love to get a person of color, agined when he was elected in 1997. a girl or a guy, who’s looking for an Gay marriage, hypodermic needle opportunity, and hopefully when exchange, driver’s licenses for le- I have another opening, I will do gal immigrants, substance abuse that,” Walsh says, adding he’s funding — on all of them, Walsh been frustrated with such efforts opts for the progressive position. in the past. “Because I’d like to ex- He rejects the liber- press the diversity of my district.” al tag, but acknowledges Says Walsh’s predecessor, Jim that his ideology has evolved. Brett: “I think he’s growing in the “From the first day I got into office, job, and he’s becoming more of a se- I’m certainly on a lot of issues more lieutenant governor’s job next cycle. grand from the Laborers’ Interna- rious legislator. This city’s chang- liberal today than I was back then,” And, in maybe the strongest in- tional 243 from Auburn, MA, and ing, and I think he’s cognizant of Walsh says over coffee at Green dication that Walsh, 36, consid- another $500 from the Boston Po- what that constituency is like.” Hills Bakery. “But it didn’t take me ers the 13th Suffolk not just a post lice Patrolmen’s Association, which Perhaps, then, it is not just his seven years to change … Some of but a stepping stone, he raised has not been firing off checks for present constituents whom Walsh my ideals have been pretty progres- $146,455.69 last year, third in the Mayor Thomas M. Menino recently. is seeking to please, but prospective sive over my last seven years in the House behind only Speaker Thomas But, then, Menino hasn’t spon- ones as well. Prospective voters like Legislature. It’s not like I was an M. Finneran and Rep. John Rogers sored House Bill 2526, which forbids the 34,685 who backed Felix Arroyo ultra-conservative at one point, all (D-Norwood), chairman of the Ways county sheriffs from using outside in November’s City Council election. of a sudden now I started voting lib- and Means Committee. Walsh’s cu- lawyers to negotiate employee con- Walsh’s endorsement of Arroyo, a eral, if you want to put labels on it.” mulative war chest seems paltry tracts or grievances. It’s got Walsh’s liberal Latino at-large councillor, Walsh says he votes issue-by-is- compared to the House’s most well-fi- name on it. Walsh and South Boston made for a busy grip-and-grin sea- sue, guided by the merits of each nanced members, in part because state Rep. Brian Wallace pushed for son, with official backings also meted case. Others see a strategic trend others have served longer, and in a series of amendments factoring out to incumbent Steve Murphy and to expand his natural base, a se- part because he spends. And spends. overtime into pension benefits. Filed unsuccessful challenger Matt O’Mal- ries of politically minded decisions Walsh is a one-man economic engine, April 17, 2003, with Walsh’s name ley, both comparatively conservative. aimed at molding a candidate with regurgitating $86,000 out of his cof- atop, House No. 1799 mandates the There was little ideological cohe- wider appeal. Walsh is unlikely to fers, much of it into flower shops, minimum number of crew members sion between the three candidates, face a strenuous challenge in No- youth sports programs, and restau- that train companies must employ, and Walsh says now his decisions vember, and maybe the pan is being rants, most of them in his district. From the Office of Campaign and were made based on personal ap- prepped for bigger fish. Pick ‘em: Big dollars like that are hauled in Political Finance: A check, dat- peal or loyalty. In District Four, political education or political mise- and doled out only by politicians with ed March 20, 2003, for $500, made where Charles Yancey defended his ducation. Meet Martin J. Walsh, the dreams of advancement. Ledgers like out to Martin Walsh. Signed, Bos- seat against Ego Ezedi, Walsh re- unlikely progressive of Savin Hill. Walsh’s are the rough equivalent of ton Carmen’s Union Local 589. portedly was infuriated by a Boston a presidential hopeful eating corn- Which is not to say that, while the Herald article that aligned him with Paying dues on-the-cob in Iowa in an off year. relationship is cozy, Walsh and un- Yancey. Walsh threw his weight be- And it’s higher office he covets, And ledgers like Walsh’s don’t fat- ions run a quid pro quo arrangement. hind Ezedi in Ward 17, where the make no mistake about that. Some- ten without the blessings of special Coleman Flaherty, a Walsh ally who challenger won, but to small effect. times to the point of blunder; one interests. He’s still a dues-paying nevertheless butts heads with him oc- They were inconsistent, almost Walsh gaffe was his 2002 two-step member of Laborers’ Internation- casionally, notes that Walsh took heat flailing, maneuvers that left many toward and then away from the reg- al Local 223, and most of his most in 2002 for his opposition to UMass political watchers baffled. The “Mar- ister of deeds job, which eventually generous contributors in 2003, scrib- Boston’s plans to build student resi- ty Party” was a speckled coalition went to Mickey Roache. The problem bling out checks of $500 or more, dences on Columbia Point. The pro- whose members represented sensi- wasn’t Walsh’s motivation, but tim- were unions or contractors. He pulled ject would have furnished jobs for the ble backings individually, but whose ing, the result of an overly exuberant down a $2,500 check from Boston’s labor organizations that contribute differences made some wonder if ambition. He has voiced in the past Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen to the Martin J. Walsh Committee, Walsh’s decisions were too erratic. a longing for the big office on the local and another $2,000 from the but it sparked some fierce opposi- “You generally spread yourself a lit- fifth floor of City Hall, or a name- Bridge and Structural Iron Work- tion in the neighborhood where the tle too thin, and that’s my downfall, I plate on a door in Washington. Re- ers. There’s $500 from Robert Dun- rep grew up. Walsh and state Sen. spread myself too thin when I’m sup- cent scuttlebutt has him eyeing the ham, a drywall contractor, half a Jack Hart moved to block the dorms. (Continued on page 29) March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 21

Best wishes and congratulations to incoming U.S. Department of Labor Secretary, Martin J. Walsh from the leadership and staff of 617MediaGroup!

Under your leadership, we are excited to see the DOL restore and elevate its advocacy for the rights and needs of working people.

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Thank you and best wishes, Mayor Marty Walsh.

“...We are committed in the City to continue to build more housing across all of our neighborhoods. Affordable and equitable are our guiding principals. We want to make sure everyone who wants to live here in the city of Boston, can. And we’re committed to making sure that our neighborhoods and communities thrive.”

- Mayor Martin J. Walsh Page 22 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021 The 2013 Election Marking Marty Walsh’s taking of the Mayor’s Chair By Gintautas Dumcius

In this edited excerpt from his campaign trail ebook “This Way to City Hall,” published after the 2013 mayoral race, former Reporter news editor Gintautas Dumcius describes the campaign’s last days as the two finalists faced off in November after clearing a 12-candidate preliminary.

In the weeks after the Septem- ber 24 preliminary election, Marty Walsh and John Connolly crossed paths frequently as they were leav- ing and entering meetings with neighborhood and activist groups, often shaking hands and sharing hugs. They looked at each other, shared a smile and maybe thought, Can you believe it’s down to us? They had run into each other nu- merous times during their respec- tive climbs up the ladder of local politics. Six years apart in age, they Rep. Walsh and Councillor John Connolly shared a lighter moment during a candidate’s forum at the Reggie Lewis first met at the State House: Walsh, Center in Roxbury. Walsh and Connolly prevailed in the city’s preliminary election in September 2013. a freshman state representative Chris Lovett photo from Dorchester, and Connolly an intern on the House side of the Ju- you,” Walsh had told Connolly when diciary Committee, working for a they were both at the State House. West Roxbury state representative. Walsh made good on his pledge when The Walsh and Connolly fami- Connolly jumped into the race for lies were immersed in local poli- Hennigan’s at-large slot in 2005. tics. Walsh had heard talk of the An old video surfaced on YouTube labor movement and local cam- in the closing days of the 2013 may- paigns at the dinner table, and he oral race, showing the future rivals made trips to the Dorchester union knocking doors together in 2005. hall as a child with his Uncle Pat. They both wore the same outfits then He would see the numbers 223, that they would wear eight years which denoted the laborers’ union. later on the mayoral campaign trail: “I didn’t know exactly what they Walsh in a polo shirt, Connolly sport- meant at the time, but I knew I want- ing a gold tie and rolled-up shirt- ed to be part of it,” Walsh said. “As sleeves. The only difference was that you can imagine, growing up in the in 2005 both were wearing “Connolly Walsh household, those numbers for Council” stickers on their chests. led to a lot of discussions about the Catherine O’Neill, a local political labor movement, about politics, and activist and playwright who had her the importance of being involved.” own cable access show at the time, Connolly had seen public service had filmed the two of them on the at- Rep. Walsh on Election Day 2013 outside of the Cristo Rey School in Savin large trail as a way to bring some at- Hill, a polling location for voters in Ward 13, precinct 10. Walsh is flanked by through the eyes of his father and Danny Ryan, left, and Roger Croke, right. Walsh campaign photo mother: Michael Connolly was first tention to the down-ballot race. They elected secretary of the Common- were smiling, casual, and friendly, with none of the tension that would that hit Walsh when he was 22 years one of Connolly’s television ads, wealth in 1978, when John was five old, then pivoted to Walsh’s work on which had him saying he will be years old. Lynda Connolly, John’s surface years later when they were pitted against one another citywide. legislation on a gun offender registry. the “education mayor.” The screen mother and a Roslindale attorney, “It is more difficult to move voters showed an empty teacher’s chair in was active in politics herself and was “This is how you get elected,” Walsh said in the segment. “Retail politics. with just positive messaging alone. a darkened classroom. His education appointed to a judgeship in 1997. Is it possible to win by staying posi- plan is “backed by corporate inter- While they first met at the You go out, knock on doors, and you talk to people, explain who you are. tive?” Jackson wrote in another email ests and billionaires,” the ad con- State House, Walsh and Connol- to donors. “My conclusion is yes it is tinued. But the negative television ly connected in a more person- This is how you win. The information superhighway doesn’t win elections.” possible. But it is also more risky.” ads, and those of other groups, would al way at a summertime gather- Jackson’s group started laying the never end up airing, since neither ing in Cape Cod in 1999 or 2000. Connolly, a first-time candidate, finished third in the preliminary, but groundwork early for a Walsh pre- side wanted to pull the trigger. They It was a Fourth of July party at liminary win, specifically focusing on kept waiting for the other to go first. the Timilty house. Walsh was the fell short in the final election, coming in fifth in the race for four at-large the minority voters who were expect- And Walsh had publicly stressed guest of Walter F. Timilty, the scion ed to be crucial in winning the final that he wanted to keep the cam- of another political family who had slots. But he won Walsh’s Savin Hill – Ward 13, Precinct 10 – with 428 votes. election, according to emails blasted paign positive. When Working Amer- been elected to the House in 1999 as out to donors and obtained by the ica PAC, another pro-Walsh group a state representative from Milton. Reporter. An Aug. 8 memo raised aligned with labor, distributed a fli- The party had a mix of politicos and A ‘risky’ play After the preliminary, Walsh still the possibility that African Ameri- er attacking Connolly’s background, Cape Cod locals. As everybody else can, Hispanic, and other non-white labeling him a “son of privilege,” began to dip into the available booze had a name recognition deficit. “Right now, voters know little more than voters would have to find a new can- running against a “son of immi- inside the home that night, Connolly didate after the preliminary, since grants,” Walsh angrily condemned it. remembers that he and Walsh, who Marty is an Irish-Catholic union guy from Dorchester,” Bud Jackson, a it was looking likely that two white On the pro-Connolly side, Demo- was several years sober at that point, Irish guys would be the finalists. crats for Education Reform, which went outside and started to toss a Democratic media consultant, wrote in an email to donors. “That may have The American Working Families ad had held its fire after the councillor Wiffle ball around and talk politics. campaign, dubbed “We are Boston,” said he did not want outside mon- During that conversation, it be- been enough to win the preliminary, but he now needs to bust out of that hoped to make a down payment in tar- ey in the race, was closely watching came clear to both that the two of geting minority voters and featured the pro-Walsh advertisements go them would run for mayor someday. mold if he is to persuade other avail- able voters in other Boston wards.” people of color. “We believe this will up on the airwaves. On Oct. 11, the Each one had designs on City Hall’s give Walsh a head-start at attracting group’s Massachusetts branch said it top job, never truly thinking, before Jackson, who hailed from Haver- hill and worked on several local cam- these voters into his column for the had decided to disregard Connolly’s the 2013 race, that they were going November election,” the memo said. public request. Led by Liam Kerr, to be vying for it at the same time. paigns before decamping for Wash- ington, D.C., led American Working A month later, Jackson provided an alumnus of political campaigns It was one of the consequences of an update to donors and prospective in Massachusetts and Vermont, the Mayor Thomas Menino staying in of- Families, an outside labor-affiliated group with money to spend. Jackson’s donors: He was working to cobble to- group noted that both Walsh and fice so long that Walsh and Connolly gether enough money to target Latino Connolly “care deeply about improv- started heading down the same road group, like others that backed Walsh and Connolly, had legal leeway to voters, since it seemed unlikely that ing our public schools” but they en- at the same time, Walsh believed. the Walsh camp, based on publicly dorsed Connolly. “With just 25 days For Walsh, Congress wasn’t an op- raise the cash without limits and spend it without disclosing where it available campaign finance filings, until the election and over one mil- tion, since Stephen Lynch, whose 2001 would have enough money to focus on lion dollars already spent by other campaign both Connolly and Walsh had come from in a timely way. After the election, the donors were revealed those voters. It would be up to Amer- groups, we feel compelled to direct- had worked on, had settled into his ican Working Families to step in. ly tell voters the value of John Con- seat. So had Menino, with five terms to be a variety of unions, from pipefit- ters to ironworkers and firefighters. The negative ads the outside group nolly’s experience as chair of the under his belt heading into 2013. put together took aim at links be- City Council’s education committee, In 2005, an at-large Council seat In an appeal to women voters, one populist-flavored ad from his group tween the education reform groups as a middle school teacher, and as opened up, due to Jamaica Plain’s backing Connolly and Big Business, the father of a student in a turna- Maura Hennigan attempting to had teal colors and a warm font. An- other positive and popular spot, called like JP Morgan and Bain Capital. round school,” said the group, which block Menino from a fourth term. “If One ad opened with a snippet from released an ad featuring a Black you ever run for office, I’ll be with “Gunshot,” focused on a stray bullet March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 23

Mayor-elect Walsh watched as confetti dropped from the ceiling at his victory celebration in the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston on Nov. 3, 2013. Chris Lovett photo social worker praising Connolly. said. One more time, a tinny voice between McCarthy and Sanon fueled all day long on Election Day,” Walsh As campaign ads filled the air- rang out from a campaign sound the electorate in unexpected ways. said. “People came up to me and waves, a bigger get was in the offing truck, making its way past the Sanon was running a strong race and said their doors were knocked on for Walsh: He pulled in crucial en- cemetery: “Vote for Marty Walsh!” drove Haitian voters who were eager three or four times throughout the dorsements from former mayoral ri- Said Walsh, “It’s unbelievable.” to add their first countryman to the campaign.” Campaign workers were vals such as Charlotte Golar Richie, Connolly and his family, including council. Recently elected State Sen. stationed at all four of the MBTA’s John Barros, and Felix Arroyo, all his mother, his wife Meg, and oth- Linda Dorcena Forry had thrown Red Line stops in Dorchester, pull- candidates of color who didn’t make ers, spent much of the day spread her support to Sanon, along with for- ing voters. “There were Walsh bodies it past the preliminary. Just before throughout Hyde Park. After a quick mer state Rep. Marie St. Fleur. The everywhere,” the candidate recalled. a rally in Dorchester got underway, stop at Holy Name Parish Hall, a pair were also allied with Walsh and Inside the hotel room, he was they joined Walsh in painting a pow- super-polling location for four pre- were aggressively pushing both Sa- joined by his mother Mary; his broth- erful picture as they started to walk cincts, he headed to the Greenwood non and Walsh on Haitian language er John; his cousin, Martin F. Walsh; up the street to the microphone. That School, a high-voting location with radio and television programs. The Higgins and her daughter Lauren; picture, snapped by campaign pho- a mix of Haitian, Caribbean, and Sanon-friendly precincts in the ward his campaign manager, Meg Costel- tographers and news cameras, would white working-class voters. Connol- were expected to break Walsh’s way. lo; and Tom Keady, one of his clos- soon be everywhere – in campaign lit- ly felt upbeat, but he noticed that But what of the McCarthy voters, who est advisers and a top government erature, on four-by-eight signs, and campaign workers for two candi- were dominant in Tom Menino’s side relations official at Boston College. blanketed across Boston’s commu- dates gunning for the same Dis- of the ward closer to Cleary Square Walsh didn’t write down a concession nities of color. The three supporters trict 5 City Council seat, Public and Readville? Was it possible that speech, not out of arrogance, but be- also appeared in a campaign video for Works Department aide Tim McCa- both Sanon and McCarthy voters lieving that if he had to deliver one, he Walsh, titled “One Boston.” “Marty rthy and Haitian American activist would tilt into the Walsh column? would speak from the heart. “At 7:30, Walsh will stand up for every person Jean-Claude Sanon, were pushing At 6 p.m., Walsh arrived at the I just got a feeling, a feeling came here in the city of Boston and every Walsh. The sight made him uneasy. Park Plaza Hotel and headed up to over me, that we were going to be neighborhood in the city of Boston. Connolly had good reason to worry the penthouse suite on the 15th floor. okay,” Walsh said after the election. Marty understands the struggles of about Ward 18. The behemoth Hyde He was still nervous. West Roxbury, “And the nervousness went away.” working people because he’s lived it,” Park-Mattapan-Roslindale ward con- Beacon Hill, and Back Bay had seen Fifteen minutes after the polls Golar Richie said in the commercial. stituted the motherlode of election a high number of voters turn out. But closed at 8 p.m., the numbers start- The one endorsement from a for- day swing votes. And the local contest he trusted his field team. “I heard it ed to stream in. Sitting in one of the mer rival that could have trumped penthouse suite’s chairs, Walsh re- all of the others was the one neither ceived text messages from friends Walsh nor Connolly would public- and campaign workers who were ly get: that of Thomas Menino. The feeding him results from precincts popular mayor was leaving City Hall around the city. Alessandra Petruc- with a 79 percent approval rating, celli, state Sen. Anthony Petruccel- per a Suffolk University poll of 600 li’s wife, was the first to message likely voters conducted just before him, telling him that he had won her the preliminary election. If he had a East Boston precinct. She texted him preferred candidate, Menino did not again soon afterwards: He had won directly say so publicly, though there East Boston. The official tally lat- were whispers he had started direct- er showed it was a squeaker: Walsh ing some of his people to Connolly. had eked out a win by 66 votes. The numbers slowly reached the Election Day rest of the world as they were pro- On the final day of the campaign, cessed by the city’s Elections Depart- Walsh broke off from the trail and ment and shown on television. As the his public schedule, and, joined minutes ticked by, all but 13 precincts by his girlfriend Lorrie Higgins, had come in. The Walsh campaign was headed to Cedar Grove Cemetery, up by about 2,100 votes. One of the which spanned several acres along precincts left was Ward 13 Precinct the Neponset River and featured a 10, where Walsh lived. He knew he MBTA trolley line regularly rattling had a 700-to-800 vote cushion there, past the graves. His father John and he repeatedly turned to Costel- was buried there, near the front lo and asked, “Is Savin Hill in yet?” entrance, after succumbing to em- Inside the offices of a local account- physema and skin cancer at age 82 ing firm, Team Connolly had set up in 2010. After they prayed togeth- the boiler room and it was busily er, the Dorchester lawmaker asked crunching the numbers. Around 8:30 to have a minute alone with his fa- p.m., campaign manager Nathaniel ther. As Lorrie started to walk back Stinnett called him from the boiler to the car, they both heard some- room while Connolly was in the car body call. “Vote for Marty Walsh!” On the day of his mayoral Election Day victory, Rep. Walsh escorted his on the way to the Westin Copley Ho- Walsh looked up and turned mother Mary from her home on Taft Street to the Catherine “Kit” Clark tel. “Look, we’ve got a little over half to Higgins, who swirled around. Apartments on Dorchester Avenue, where she would vote for her son. the city in and it doesn’t look good,” Was it a sign? “Oh my God,” she Walsh campaign photo (Continued on page 24) Page 24 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021 Marking Marty Walsh’s taking of the Mayor’s Chair (Continued from page 23) election over, Jackson was allowed Stinnett said. All the numbers wer- to be in the same room without run- en’t in yet, but they were not getting ning afoul of campaign laws. He and over 65 percent in West Roxbury, Goldman had once worked togeth- they were losing badly in Hyde Park, er in the 1990s, when Jackson was and they were waiting on the fig- fresh out of college, but they had ures from downtown and Dorches- rarely talked since Jackson left for ter. Connolly got out of the car, and Washington. Goldman, like others, on his way into the hotel, he ran had noticed Jackson appearing at the into several supporters. As his stom- end of the American Working Fami- ach churned, he struggled to smile. lies commercials, as he was required Around 9 p.m., Stinnett called Con- to do in “I approve this message” nolly again. Eighty percent of the fashion. “Jesus, your face is on TV vote was in, and Connolly was down more than anyone’s,” Goldman said. by roughly 4,000 votes. Looking out Connolly gave his concession the hotel room window, Connolly saw speech inside a small meeting room the city stretched out before him, Rep. Walsh and his partner Lorrie Higgins, left, chatted with William ‘Buddy’ jammed with supporters and re- West Roxbury in the distance. He Christopher on Nov. 3, 2013, the day that Walsh was elected as Mayor of Boston. porters at the Westin, three blocks dialed Menino. “It doesn’t look like Christopher, a Savin Hill resident,would join his mayoral administration as away from Walsh’s celebration. “I I’m going to make it,” Connolly told the chief of Inspectional Services in 2014. Walsh campaign photo respect the voters’ choice,” he said. him. “I don’t have final numbers in winning margin was 4,889 votes. be the one crying,” Connolly joked. Back at the Park Plaza, Walsh yet, I’m waiting on downtown,” Men- Just before 9 p.m., Joe Rull, one of “You’re my mayor, I’m going to was running late in delivering his ino said, urging Connolly to check Walsh’s top field organizers, looked support you, and I know you’re go- victory speech. President Obama in with him again later. The can- at his laptop inside the Walsh boil- ing to do a good job,” he added. called to convey his congratulations. didate called him back in five min- er room and realized they had won. Downstairs, in the Park Plaza’s Vice President Joe Biden made sev- utes: Things still looked bleak. He As the realization spread around Imperial Ballroom, Walsh consultant eral attempts to reach his future la- thanked Menino for being a “great the table, the campaign’s staff- Michael Goldman, a veteran of Mas- bor secretary, impeded by the fact mayor,” then stepped inside a win- ers and volunteers looked at one sachusetts political wars, was deal- that Walsh was not the only “Mar- dowless and smaller room off of the another, attempting to compre- ing with reporters who were hungry ty Walsh” in Boston politics. (The bathroom to make the call to Walsh. hend what they had accomplished. for the results. Goldman called up others included Walsh’s cousin and For Team Connolly, the conversa- Rull then stood up, his face turn- to the 15th floor and heard Keady an unrelated political consultant.) tions in the closing days of the race ing bright red as he raised his fists tell him that they were on track to Walsh also took a call that night always came back to Ward 18. They into the air. “We won!” he shouted. win. Armed with the information, from the man he would be succeeding didn’t have a good sense of which way Matthew O’Neill Jr., a member of Goldman walked over to Alison in January. “I’d like to have break- it was going to swing; their polling Walsh’s inner circle, called Walsh with King, a New England Cable News fast with you tomorrow,” Menino was all over the map. Walsh, whose the news. Walsh put O’Neill on speak- reporter, and passed the word along: said. “Where would you like to meet, campaign had sent door-knockers er mode, so his words could be heard They were going to be victorious. Mr. Mayor?” the mayor-elect asked. to Hyde Park the weekend after the by the entire room: Marty Walsh was “What if you’re wrong?” King asked. “Your new office,” Menino said. preliminary, ended up winning every going to be the forty-eighth mayor of “Hell, I’m old,” Goldman said, “who’s Gintautas Dumcius is the digital precinct in Ward 18, according to Boston. Mary Walsh and Lorrie Hig- going to remember what I said?” editor of Boston Business Journal. He official results issued after the elec- gins started to cry and Marty’s broth- As Goldman made his way through served as news editor of the Dorches- tion, winning Menino’s home pre- er John hugged him. The mayor-elect the ballroom and up to the separate ter Reporter from 2010 to 2014. His cinct in Hyde Park nearly two-to-one, himself sat in shock and disbelief. party for campaign staffers, he ran ebook “This Way to City Hall” is the 670 votes to 388 votes. The official Connolly called soon after. “Con- into a familiar face: Jackson, the definitive account of the 2013 mayor- final tally: 72,583 votes for Walsh gratulations,” Connolly said, as head of American Working Fami- al election in Boston. For a copy, send and 67,694 for Connolly. Walsh’s Walsh became emotional. “I should lies. With the polls closed and the an email to [email protected].

Building Pathways thanks Mayor Marty Walsh for his unwavering support of our program and his commitment to diversity, equity and inclusivity in the building trades. Throughout his career, Marty has shown a deep understanding of the life-changing effects a union career can have on individuals and our communities.

For decades, Marty has been a voice for working families in Boston. Now, he will bring his voice to the national stage as our U.S. Secretary of Labor.

Congratulations on your confirmation to this esteemed role, and thank you for your lifelong dedication to America’s working families. March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 25

WORK Inc. is grateful for the dedication and support of Boston’s Mayor Marty Walsh. Mayor Mary Walsh thank you for making individuals with disabilities a priority. Looking forward to working with you as Secretary of Labor!

We will miss you!

WORK Inc. 25 Beach Street Dorchester, MA 02122 | 617.691.1500 | www.workinc.org

We’ve had some good times, Mr. Mayor! The Boston Foundation has been proud to partner with you on Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico, the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund, Gaining Ground on Equal Pay, the Success Boston College Completion Initiative, and so many other important efforts to promote education, housing and equity in our city. You will be missed as you head off to D.C., but we know you will return to this city that you love so dearly and to which you have contributed so much. Boston’s loss is our country’s gain. For more about the Boston Foundation, please visit tbf.org.

Mayor Marty Walsh with Paul Grogan, President and CEO of the Boston Foundation, and others at an event in 2015 celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Boston Foundation. Page 26 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021

THANK YOU, MARTY WALSH, FOR BEING A FIERCE FIGHTER FOR WORKING FAMILIES AND CHAMPION FOR US ALL

TEAMSTERS JOINT COUNCIL 10 NEW ENGLAND SEAN M. O’BRIEN Secretary-Treasurer Principal Executive Officer

DAVID A. LUCAS JR. GEORGE F. BELANGER President Vice-President

FRANK A. ROSSI SHANNON R. GEORGE Recording Secretary Trustee

ROCCO J. CALO JOHN P. CAPOBIANCO Trustee Trustee

BRETT R. MILLER MATTHEW G. TAIBI Advisory Trustee Advisory Trustee

Representing over 55,000 Teamster Members and their families in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 27

THANK YOU MARTY WALSH The Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589 congratulates Marty Walsh on his appointment as U.S. Labor Secretary, and we thank him for his years of standing side by side with us. As a legislator and Boston’s Mayor, he has always seen public transit as a public good.

As Mayor, he opposed the privatization of core MBTA functions such as bus routes and maintenance and pushed his fellow lawmakers to invest in improving the MBTA. As an experienced and dedicated public servant, he understood how important a healthy public transit system is to the people of Boston.

We face one of the most critical points in history for American labor, with millions of people out of work and facing the loss of jobless benefits as a result of COVID-19. We know that as Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh will not rest until the nation’s economy is healthy, and hardworking families are prospering once again.

Jim Evers John Clancy Scott Page President Recording Secretary Delegate, Green Line

Billy Berardino Karen Maxwell Brian Walsh Vice President Assistant Secretary Delegate, Rapid S.M.I.

Jim Bradley Jose Cruz Roudy Jean Financial Secretary-Treasurer Delegate, Division 1 Delegate, Rapid Transit/AFC

Pat Hogan Delegate, Division 3

John Mersereau Delegate, Equipment Maintenance Page 28 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021

THANKS AND BEST WISHES, MAYOR MARTY WALSH

ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew, Board Chair Yvonne Jones, and the ABCD family offer our deepest thanks and congratulations to Mayor Marty Walsh! As mayor, you have lifted up the people of Boston. As the new U.S. Secretary of Labor, your experience and vision will bridge the needs of working families with the opportunities of a 21st century economy – at a time when the country needs it most.

Bunker Hill Community College Congratulates Mayor Walsh

bhcc.edu A long-time friend to the College, BHCC is grateful for his shared commitment to equity and economic opportunity in public higher education. We wish you well in your role as U.S. Secretary of Labor for the Biden Administration. March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 29 How Walsh’s ‘pragmatic progressivism’ evolved as state rep (Continued from page 20) doesn’t attend Mass there; he and Hickey have spo- porting people,” Walsh admits of his endorsement ken nonetheless about the fractious issue. Hickey methodology. “But I get right involved, I’m not going calls Walsh “a good churchman” and says, “I believe to back away from anybody for any particular reason. he probably believes in this,” but thinks he’s “mis- And I think by just simply endorsing somebody and guided.” putting your name on a piece of paper, that’s fine and “I would say that he’s a lone voice in the wilder- dandy for some people; if you win, you can take cred- ness,” Hickey says. “I would say that he will not see it for it. But unless you get into and get your hands a lot of support.” dirty, I don’t take any gratification in the victory.” But Walsh’s stance is examined, and his justifi- cation of it impassioned, and he says he knows that Pragmatic Progressivism many of his constituents will be taken aback by it. In July, he joined Menino, state Rep. Kevin Ho- He knows, too, that Dorchester neighborhoods nan, and left-wing state senators Dianne Wilkerson like Jones Hill, Ashmont Hill, Melville Park, and and Jarret Barrios in sponsoring a law that would Clam Point are selling homes to gays and lesbians. allow hypodermic needles to be sold at Massachu- A union vote is no heavier than a gay vote. setts pharmacies. Again, he says it’s all about the issues. “I’m not “If you want to label me a liberal because I’m sup- concerned about being labeled one way or the other portive of people who are trying to get sober and because of how I feel on one particular issue. I’m trying to recover, and trying to stop infectious dis- not concerned about that. If people want to call me eases, they can label me as a liberal all day if they liberal, they can call me liberal. If they want to call want,” Walsh says, a little defiantly. me conservative, they can call me conservative. I You won’t find him lurching left on crime. He still don’t think I fall in either category, but I fall maybe grapples with his most high-profile vote to date, a in the middle of both,” Walsh says. 1997 nay to reinstating the death penalty in the “Because I’m a white Irish Catholic, people will commonwealth. But he’s outspoken on life sentenc- State Rep. Martin Walsh inspected the Beades assume that I’m gonna be a conservative, and I es without parole for rapists, and stricter penalties Bridge, a drawbridge on Morrissey Boulevard that think that’s unfair because people don’t get an op- for drug dealers. was deteriorating at the time— 1999—before a portunity to talk to me and ask me my positions on restoration project began in 2000. Bill Forry photo And if there is creeping political calculation in the issues, or talk about issues. I think it’s kind of an unfair label.” Walsh’s creepingly progressive ideology, it stems own efforts to steer the council toward a constituent All about the issues, except when it comes time from a desire to appeal to those prospective voters. service-based body, Flaherty has not been forced to to fling an arm around a fellow politician, smile for An Irish surname and an old CYO basketball jer- adopt a public stance on many of the divisive issues a picture, and lend his name to a campaign mail- sey don’t mean what they used to in Boston poli- that legislator Walsh has. There will be no up-down ing. Then it’s personal, and hang the ideology. It’ll tics; Walsh and other mayoral aspirants — City vote on gay marriage in Flaherty’s council cham- be personal later this year when Suffolk County Council President Michael Flaherty, for one — rec- bers. fissures over the sheriff’s race. Steve Murphy and ognize the march of time. Flaherty, of South Bos- His office did not respond to phone calls seeking incumbent Andrea Cabral will vie for Dorchester’s ton, has strained to expand his own natural base; comment. electoral affections, and Walsh’s endorsement will like Walsh, he garners naturally the allegiances of Walsh acknowledges the import of his position on be courted by both sides. labor and a working-class neighborhood. Flaherty, gay marriage, and has set his jaw against the crit- He knows he’ll be pressed. With Murphy a long- 34, and his advisors adroitly market him as a “new” icism he expects to take: from gay marriage oppo- time ally and Cabral considered a rising star, the kind of politician for the hackneyed “New Boston,” nent Finneran and from local clerics. politically expedient maneuver for Walsh might be one who bridges divides instead of widening them. Rev. Chris Hickey, pastor of St. William’s, is one. to float lukewarm expressions of support for both He, too, endorsed Arroyo. Adhering to requests from Archbishop Sean P. sides, and avoid making enemies on either one. And Flaherty boasts strong ties to the city’s bur- O’Malley, Hickey and other priests have asked in So, Marty, you gonna stay out of this fight? geoning gay community, an unexpected strength for parish bulletins that parishioners write their state “Probably not. That’s not my style.” a politician from a neighborhood whose St. Patrick’s legislators and pressure them to support Defense of Jim O’Sullivan is a former news editor of the Day parade has provided an emotional flashpoint Marriage Acts in the Legislature. Dorchester Reporter. for gay issues over the years. Largely through his While Walsh lives within St. William’s Parish, he

Congratulations on your nomination as U.S. Secretary of Labor. Thank you for your service to all the Boston communities.

from your friends at

800.657.3272 EBSB.com Member FDIC/Member DIF Page 30 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021

CCoonnggrraattss && BBeesstt WWiisshheess MMaayyoorr MMaarrttyy WWaallsshh!!

Your friends at March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 31

CONGRATULATIONS MAYOR WALSH!

The Heat & Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local Union #6 congratulates Mayor Martin J. Walsh on his historic appointment to U.S. Secretary of Labor.

Over a long and accomplished career, Marty Walsh has worked tirelessly to protect the working people of Boston. He defends workers’ right to organize for a better life, and advocates for fair wages and benefits as a central pillar of our city’s economic growth.

Marty Walsh understands the challenges facing America’s working class and will fight for our families as Labor Secretary. He has the experience, character and priorities necessary to effectively lead this nation, and to create lasting, positive reform.

Local 6 is thrilled to send our regards to Marty Walsh, and to help send off an exemplary leader to Washington.

In appreciation,

James Lister, Business Manager / Financial Secretary Jeff Saliba, Business Agent Wayne Ortiz, President Thomas Wall, Vice President Executive Board and Officers Heat & Frost Insulators Local 6 Membership Page 32 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021

MASSACHUSETTS & NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND LABORERS’ DISTRICT COUNCIL

On behalf of our membership, the Executive Board of the Massachusetts Northern New England Laborers’ District Council would like to thank Mayor Marty Walsh for his years of service and tireless fight for the men and women of the Laborers’ International Union of North America.

In this monumental moment for labor, we congratulate Marty Walsh on his appointment as the United States Secretary of Labor and wish him continued success in his historic career.

JOSEPH BONFIGLIO Business Manager

N O R T H E & R N THOMAS ANDREWS T S N LOU MANDARINI, Jr. T E E W S Secretary Treasurer President U E H N

C G

A L

S DAVID SARGO A DAVID ARAUJO

S

N A

Vice President D E-Board Member M

L L ALLEN BOYER A I CHRIS MURPHY B C E-Board Member O N E-Board Member R U E O R S C ' D I S T R I C T

7 Laborers’ Way, Hopkinton, MA 01748

March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 33

Thank you, Mayor Walsh!

ur relationship with you goes back to when you were first elected as a State Representative in 1997. From that Oday you advocated for and supported our bills to protect firefighters and their families. You were our go to legislator whose working class roots benefited all of us. In 2013, it was an easy decision to endorse your candidacy for Mayor and your re-election in 2017. You have been a great friend.

t’s not just wages and benefits. It’s funding the first new firehouse in over 30 years. It’s funding new breathing Iapparatus, modern, safe fire trucks, bunker gear, 7 day a week training, industrial cleaning of our firehouses, wellness initiatives to include participating in videos addressing the cancer epidemic in the fire service. And most importantly it is keeping us fully staffed with boots on the ground to carry out our mission.

Congratulations on your new position as Secretary of Labor for the United States.

– John Soares, President of Boston Firefighters Local 718 IAFF PFFM Page 34 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021

RODE Architects congratulates Marty Walsh as he begins his position as the United States Secretary of Labor. His legacy and impact in Boston and its built landscape will remain for years to come, as we continue to follow his lead of making development more inclusive, transparent, and community-based. We wish you luck in this new journey, Marty!

The Meeting House, Dorchester Pine Street Inn, Jamaica Plain

P.S. We will make sure to take care of the neighborhood while you’re away.

Marty was instrumental in shepherding the development of transformative projects throughout the city. March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 35

GOOD SALUTES MAYOR WALSH

We couldn’t be more excited for Mayor Walsh as he moves on to the next chapter of his accomplished career. As Labor Secretary, we know he’ll bring the same strength, integrity and leadership to the country that he has brought to Boston since 2014.

Join us in thanking him for everything he’s done and wishing him the best of luck.

#JoinUsForGood Page 36 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021

Dream big—Do great

Suffolk is thrilled to congratulateMayor Martin J. Walsh, a proud son of Dorchester, on his nomination for U.S. Secretary of Labor. We’ve seen firsthand over the years how Mayor Walsh has devoted his life to championing the causes of working people and our neighbors in need. It’s been a privilege to work with him as he drew on Boston’s strengths and guided the city forward, and we know that his determined, collaborative approach will accomplish great things for workers across the U.S.

Mayor Walsh, it’s been your mission to make Boston a city where anyone can overcome their challenges and fulfill their dreams. You are living proof of what’s possible. Thank you for your dedication to Boston and its people, and we wish you all the best as you continue to serve our country. March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 37 Page 38 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021 Walsh returned ‘home’ to a hero’s welcome in Connemara

By Bill Forry know the family and my uncles all Editor these years. They’re overwhelmed.” This article was first published in the Said Walsh: “I was born in St. Boston Irish Reporter in October 2014. Margaret’s Hospital. My home is Dorchester, Massachusetts. But I GALWAY– For a few hours last am also from Rosmuc and Carna in Saturday, Marty Walsh was just an- Connemara. It was the theme he car- other Yank on holiday, enjoying the ried throughout his public remarks sights and sounds of Clifden, one of in the region: The people here claim Co. Galway’s loveliest and liveliest Marty as their own, and vice-versa. towns. Your mayor had just enjoyed The mayor began his 10-day visit a sailboat ride and a quiet lunch by boarding a fully loaded Aer Lingus with his partner Lorrie Higgins and Airbus that departed Boston around two other traveling companions. 7:30 p.m Boston time last Thursday Now, as he strolled through the sce- and arrived at Shannon at 5:25 a.m. nic village with other tourists, he was Irish time, about 40 minutes ahead incognito in blue jeans, sneakers, and of schedule. Walsh, who flew in coach an old-school Red Sox ball cap; merci- alongside Lorrie, was greeted in the fully, he was off the grid, stopping to terminal by his mother Mary, who had buy scones and desserts for his moth- flown to Ireland the week before to er at a local bakery called Walsh’s. make preparations for her son’s trip. The respite would not last long. A bus load of Connemara neigh- Later that evening, he began a se- bors — who woke up at 3 a.m. to ries of public events with a Mass Amanda Burke of Lowry’s Pub snaps a photo of Henry Kenneally, 75, with make the trip to Shannon— were on celebrated in his mother’s home vil- Mayor Marty Walsh, at right, during the Boston mayor’s surprise visit to hand to greet Walsh as he made his lage of Rosmuc, followed by a recep- Clifden on Sat., Sept. 18, 2014. way through the terminal. At the air- tion that went late into the night. port, officials hailed Walsh’s visit as The first five days of Walsh’s first the latest boost for the west coast of trip abroad as mayor were a blur Ireland— and for the airport itself, of bonfires, parties, church servic- which had suffered a five-year period es, and endless photo opportuni- of decline in the midst of a national ties— with the mayor getting rock recession. Flights have been scaled star treatment at every stop. In a back as a result, but are now trend- few places, the frenzy to get pho- ing back up thanks in large part to tos with him was such that he had renewed daily flights from Boston to be hustled into a waiting car, of- and New York. The mayor deliber- ten by his cousin, Winnie Curran, ately chose to fly in and out of Shan- a Boston Police sergeant who is ac- non — and not Dublin— on this trip. companying the mayor on the trip. “It sends a huge message about Martin J. Walsh may not be a the strength of Shannon and the household name throughout Ireland, region,” said Rose Hynes, pres- at least not yet. But here in the west of ident of Shannon Airport. “And Ireland, and especially in the south- he lives that message himself.” ern parts of Connemara where John At a press conference in the air- Walsh and Mary O’Malley were born port terminal, Walsh fielded ques- and raised, he is a celebrity of historic tions from the Irish press corps— importance, a modern-day chieftain and from three of the Boston area with a deeply personal connection to reporters covering the trip. Two Marty Walsh joins Joan and Cathal Walsh (no relation) outside the shop in thousands of people, most of whom the centre of Clifden in Connemara, Co. Galway. Bill Forry photos reporters posed questions to Walsh still speak Irish as their primary in the Irish language, which he language. The Gaeltacht, as that then translated for the benefit of mayor himself has cheerfully accom- news in the papers and on the radio. I Irish-speaking region is called here, is the non-Irish speakers in the room. modated every request. “It’s such think they view it as a chance to meet most certainly Marty Walsh country. The mayor described Shannon Air- a big thing for everyone in both vil- somebody famous. I don’t think of It may have tested the patience of port as a special place in his personal lages. They’re just super excited, es- myself as someone famous, but they his security team at times, but the history. pecially the kids who have seen the do. And even some of the adults, they

Congratulations Secretary Walsh and thank you for your service to our city.

SullyMac and Dorchester are proud of your achievements. We wish you the best as you take your commitment to working together to the national level.

Get there better. Together.

www.sullymac.com March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 39

“This is the very spot where my gion before returning to Carna to family’s American journey began,” help lay a foundation stone for a he said, recalling that his late fa- planned Emigrant Commemoration ther John emigrated from Galway Centre to be built with his help. to England and then Boston in Later, he spoke to a cheering crowd 1956. His mother flew from Shan- of nearly 500 people at the Con- non in 1959 to begin a life in Boston. nemara Boxing Club near Casla. Later, after a breakfast with busi- Walsh left Galway on Sept. 22 ness and political leaders from the to visit Knock and Donegal before west, Walsh greeted a large group crossing the border into Northern of well-wishers in the outer terminal Ireland for stops in Derry and Bel- of Shannon and gave interviews to fast, where he will cement a sis- Irish radio alongside his uncle, Pe- ter-city agreement and address the ter O’Malley, a native of Connema- Belfast City Council and tour the ra who also lives in Dorchester. He headquarters of the Boston-based listened as the national Irish radio company Liberty Mutual. He went station, RTE, played a song about on to Dublin, where he appeared in Walsh recorded by a group of school- a live interview on “The Saturday children from his father’s town, Night Show,” a nationally televised Carna. The school kids won a con- program with a large viewership. test sponsored by the station, which He returned to Boston on Monday, had asked Irish-language schools to Sept. 27. In an interview with local create a song in the mayor’s honor. media at Shannon Airport prior to On Sunday, Walsh attended a his departure for Boston, Walsh said morning Mass at St. Mary’s Church that the trip had been productive. in Carna, the village where his fa- “As Mayor of Boston my job is to ther was born and raised. Following go out there and market the city as the Mass, the mayor and his mother best as we can,” said Walsh. “When took photos with scores of relatives Boston Mayor Martin Walsh unveiled a stone marker at the site of a planned I was here on this trip I tried to talk and friends outside of the church Emigrant Commemorative Centre in Carna, Co. Galway. Máirtín Ó Catháin, about tourism and inviting people and in front of Geraghty’s store on the chairperson of the group planning the centre, is at left. Bill Forry photo to Boston and also around business the Carna road. A car loaded with development and making sure they American tourists happened by, followed by the mayor presenting terest in the mayor of Boston and the know Boston is open (for business). stopped, and two women— Kathy his counterpart with a Paul Revere fact that there’s a tie to Ireland, it’s “As much as I enjoyed the family, O’Leary and Mary Goode— jumped Bowl. The mayor took photos with the even more so. Today was one of the this trip was really focused on the busi- out to greet the mayor and take council members, including Council- days we started talking business and ness connections and the government photos. Goode, a schoolteacher, had lor Terry O’Flaherty, who has served the similarities between Boston and connections, making connections met Walsh before when he visited as mayor of Galway for two terms. Galway are clear. Galway’s agenda is with other mayors from other cities her former school, Dorchester Youth In between meetings, Walsh made life sciences, biotech, incubator start- here in Ireland and that’s important Academy in Fields Corner. “He was a quick visit to Shop Street in Gal- ups, and that’s ours as well. The because in America a lot is built on one of our biggest supporters,” re- way’s city center, where he was construction industry here is similar the relationships with other mayors. called Goode, who lives in Scituate. quickly recognized by locals and to home, although we’re doing a lot “I’ve learned a lot more about the “He would give out his phone num- American tourists alike and where, better in Boston with construction, Irish economy and more particularly ber to all the kids and tell them to the mayor recalled, “There was a but really the cities are very simi- about the business community here ‘call me if you ever need anything.’ “ little kid walking by and he said lar. There’s real opportunity here in this country. “I definitely see On Monday, the mayor made offi- to his mate, ‘Hey, that’s the may- for us to cultivate business here and Ireland as an economy that is mov- cial visits to government offices, in- or of Boston.’ The other little kid when they do look to expand, Bos- ing again and I think there’s a lot cluding the County Council and the says, “What’s up, Marty?” like I’m ton should be a natural first step.” of opportunity, not just for Ireland Galway City Council, where Mayor in Dorchester. It was pretty funny.” On Tuesday, Walsh crisscrossed from Boston, but there’s a lot of op- Donal Lyons, a Galway councillor, Later, Walsh, in speaking to the Connemara, visiting six primary portunity for Boston from Ireland.” presented Walsh with a painting Reporter, said, “It’s amazing the in- and secondary schools in the re-

CODMAN SQUARE HEALTH CENTER THANKS MAYOR MARTIN WALSH FOR HIS YEARS OF SUPPORT AND WE WISH HIM WELL IN HIS EXCITING NEW POSITION

637 WASHINGTON ST., DORCHESTER, MA 02124 | (617) 822-8271 | CODMAN.ORG Page 40 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021

On behalf of our 12,000 members, Teamsters Local 25 wishes Marty Walsh the best in his new role as U.S. Labor Secretary

Sean M. O’Brien President/Principal Officer

Thomas G. Mari Steven J. South Secretary-Treasurer Vice President/Business Agent

Peter S. Berry Joan C. Corey Recording Secretary Business Agent

John J. Juszkiewicz, III Andrew P. Walsh Trustee Business Agent

John F. Gillis Michael C. Halley Trustee Field Representative

Ross H. McDonagh Joseph F. Foti Trustee Field Representative

John A. Murphy James L. Donovan, Jr. Business Agent Political Coordinator

Robert J. Aiguier, Jr. Chris Smolinsky Business Agent Director of Organizing

Jason A. Lopes Daniel F. Risteen, Jr. Business Agent Director of Research & Security March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 41

You can take the boy out of Dorchester... We’d like to congratulate Marty Walsh on his appointment as Secretary of Labor by President Joe Biden. We can not imagine a more fitting person to look out for the future of American workers. We’ve known him as Mayor, Representative, General Agent, Local Union President and Brother. But what he’s always been is a friend and champion. A leader for workers and neighbors, for his district and the entire city, from the largest corporations doing business in Boston to the men and women that struggle with addiction and recovery. Marty Walsh has al- ways been there. As he departs to work in Washington, the impact he’s made will remain. Thank you, Marty.

nasrcc.org Page 42 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021

CONGRATS AND BEST WISHES, MAYOR WALSH! From IBEW Local 103 and NECA Greater Boston Electrical Contractors

Boston’s union electrical workers and contractors proudly celebrate Mayor Martin “Marty” J. Walsh’s appointment to the post of U.S. Secretary of Labor.

Marty Walsh is a tremendous leader with the kind of empathy, vision, and commitment to working families that our nation urgently needs.

An unwavering ally to the labor movement, Walsh’s vision has remained the same throughout his many years as a labor leader and public servant: centering Boston’s growth around the needs of working families.

IBEW Local 103 and NECA Greater Boston thank Mayor Walsh for his many successes advocating for our members, our families, and all our neighbors throughout the region:

• Made strides toward closing the city’s wealth gap • Expanded job opportunities for youth and people of color • Championed job training initiatives for low-income families • Advocated for increased opportunity and diversity in high-growth sectors such as construction • Directed commercial development fees toward job creation and community benefits • Strengthened protections against wage theft • Fostered a union-friendly construction industry in the City of Boston based on quality and ethics • Strengthened the city’s neighborhoods and working class

Mayor Walsh is a movement-builder and a man of action, and IBEW Local 103 and NECA Greater Boston look forward to working with Secretary Walsh and the Biden-Harris administration to ensure a future in the construction industry and beyond where all workers have family-sustaining careers. March 2021 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER Page 43 The Man and the Politician we know (Continued from page 1) his emotional account of the been a dues-paying member one time in his House career of 223 since June 30, 1988. when he’d missed a phone A few months after his 21st call from a constituent look- birthday, he put on a hard ing for a detox bed. ‘I missed hat and started working at a that phone call and I called construction job at Common- the person back who called wealth Pier on the city’s wa- me, and I left a message for terfront. them,’ Walsh told his silent The union and its affili- colleagues. ‘On the Monday ates have been his natural morning, a call came to my base throughout his career— office to let me know that even, and particularly, when they no longer needed my his political judgments failed services because the young him. As disciplined as he man that they were calling is in his personal life, Mar- for had passed away of a her- ty did, at times, seem to oin overdose. This is real-life flail about politically. In the stuff,’ he said.” Legislature, he backed the As he worked to advance wrong horse in two House his agenda on Beacon Hill, leadership fights, and his Marty’ dual-track career as influence waned inside the a union leader became more building as a result. In 2002, prominent in 2010 when he came this close to leaving he took the top position at the House to take a low-pro- the Boston Building Trades file appointment as Suffolk Council; it was a move that County Registrar Register further cemented his influ- of Deeds, hardly a job to be Mayor Walsh exited stage left at Boston’s Symphony Hall following one of his State of the ence on the region’s labor coveted by a politician with City speeches held in the concert venue. Chris Lovett photo movement and positioned higher aspirations. him well for the next step: a But within days of making campaigns won. He showed dorms. And well before the Jim O’Sullivan in a 2004 pro- run for mayor, the job he al- that news public, he hit the guts on many occasions and Supreme Judicial Court’s file that is included in this ways wanted. brakes and ran for re-elec- defied expectations on oth- Goodridge decision, he would supplement. This week, he leaves all tion. “I’ve sat in the House ers. He crossed an unhappy tell anyone who cared to lis- In 2008, another profile that behind for a new job, one chamber looking around, and civic association crowd that ten that he’d happily vote to by O’Sullivan for the State that a young Marty Walsh this job is the best job I’ve wanted to block the Pine give gay men and women the House News Service por- and his parents could scarce- ever had and for as long as Street Inn from convert- right to marry. trayed Walsh as the “go-to” ly have imagined possible. the people of Dorchester will ing a dilapidated six-family “If you want to label me a man for the state’s labor in- But, as Marty himself told have me, or until I decide to house on Pleasant Street into liberal because I’m support- terests, but also for people us back in 2010: “One thing move on, this will be the best transitional housing for the ive of people who are trying across Boston and beyond you learn in politics is you job for me,” he told the Re- homeless. In the fight over to get sober and trying to struggling with substance just don’t know what’s going porter at the time. building dorms on the UMass recover, and trying to stop abuse. He recounted a speech to happen. Politics is funny. More often than not, this Boston campus, he defied his infectious diseases, they can that Marty gave that year to It’s like recovery: a day at a paper tracked Marty’s career fellow union chieftains and label me as a liberal all day persuade his colleagues to time.” with routine reports about stood alongside his Savin if they want,” Marty told fund more beds for detox. Bill Forry is the editor and bills filed, bridges built, and Hill neighbors in opposing former Reporter news editor “The chamber hushed for publisher of the Reporter.

Marty Walsh with Richie Gormley, Boston Funeral Director and President of the Irish Social Club of Boston. Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester would like to Congratulations congratulate Mayor Martin J. Walsh as he to our good friend embarks on a new phase in his career in Washington D.C. as Labor Secretary. Mayor Marty Walsh Walsh served on our board for 18 years as a champion for BGCD and for the city of Boston. As you begin your new career as We thank him for his commitment and wish US Secretary of Labor him the best of luck on his future endeavors.

From your friends at the THANK YOU MAYOR WALSH Irish Social Club of Boston #WeAreDorchester Richie Gormley, president 1135 Dorchester Avenue - Dorchester, MA 02125 Page 44 MARTIN J. WALSH— A SUPPLEMENT TO THE REPORTER March 2021

Even when you’re in DC, you’re always aEven part when of you’re in DC, you’re always The Boston Red Sox congratulate Mayor Marty Walsh on becoming Secretary of Labor a partand thank him of for his dedication and service to Boston.

The Boston Red Sox congratulate Mayor Marty Walsh on becoming Secretary of Labor and thank him for his dedication and service to Boston.