Awards
The Irish Echo Newspaper, Ireland-USA Business Ambassador Award 2019
Boston Business Journal, Boston Business Journal Power 50 Most Influential Bostonians 2019
Dorchester YMCA, Honor Award 2019
Beacon College, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters 2019
Boston Police Foundation, Honoree of the Year 2019
Boy Scouts of America, The Ralph Lowell Good Scout Award 2018
Junior Achievement of Northern New England, Hall of Fame Inductee 2018
Eire Society of Boston, Gold Medal 2018
University of Saint Joseph, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree 2018
Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, The Michael and Kitty Dukakis
Lifetime Achievement Award 2018
Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, Dorchester Then and Now Award 2018
Community Work Services, Lifetime Achievement and Advocacy Award
for Individuals with Disabilities 2017
American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, Katie Beckett Advocacy Award 2017
Massachusetts State Council Knights of Columbus, Highest Recognition, The Lantern Award 2017
Boston Business Journal, Power 50 Game Changer 2016
Action for Boston Community Development, Inc., Hall of Fame Inductee 2016
Anna Maria College, Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree 2016
Bridgewater State University, Honorary Doctor of Public Service Degree 2016
Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston, Inc., Starfish Thrower Award 2016
The Arc of Massachusetts, Spotlight Honoree 2015
USS Constitution Museum, Charles Francis Adams Award 2015
The MENTOR Network, Ripple of Hope Award 2015
Vietnamese American Initiative for Development, Gala Honoree 2015
Emmanuel College, Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree 2015
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Tim Russert Award 2015
New England Board of Higher Education, Governor Walter R. Peterson Award for Leadership 2015
Saint John’s Seminary, Saint John the Evangelist Medal 2015
Special Olympics Massachusetts, Hall of Fame Inductee 2014
Special Olympics Massachusetts, John “Jack” Brett Champion’s Award 2014
Easter Seals Massachusetts, Team Hoyt Award 2014
Disability Law Center, Edward M. Kennedy Leadership Award 2014
New England College, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree 2014
Worcester State University, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree 2014
Rivier University, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree 2014
Boston Business Journal, Boston Business Journal Power 50 Most Influential Bostonians 2013
Suffolk University, Honorary Doctor of Public Service Degree 2013
Saint Anselm College, Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree 2013
Boston Irish Business Association, Boston Irish Business Award 2013
The New England Center for Children, Children of Promise Award 2012
Bridgewell, Visionary Leadership Award 2012
The Price Center, Recognition Award 2012
Cardinal Cushing Centers, Springtime Honoree 2012
John Joseph Moakley Charitable Foundation, Public Service Award 2012
Massachusetts Legislators Association, Public Service Honoree 2012
Curry College, Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree 2012
Massachusetts Hospital School, Arthur Pappas Award 2012
Community Resources for Justice, Community Hero Award 2012
Dorchester Hall of Fame, Inductee 2012
The Charitable Irish Society, Silver Key Award 2012
Catholic Charities of Greater Boston, Richard D. Armstrong Service Award 2011
The New England Council, New Englander of the Year 2011
Salem State University, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree 2011
Sligo Club of Boston, Man of the Year Award 2011
Boston Irish Reporter, The Boston Irish Honors The Brett Family 2010
New Democracy Coalition, Service Award 2010
Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps, Embracing the Legacy Award June 2010
Marian Court College, Beacon Award 2010
Irish America Magazine, Business 100 Honoree Leader 2009
The Missionary Society of Saint James the Apostle, Richard Cardinal Cushing Award 2009
Exceptional Parent, Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award 2009
Massachusetts Chapter, American Society for Public Administration, Distinguished Citizen Award 2009
Westfield State College, Honorary Doctor of Public Service Degree 2008
Special Olympics Massachusetts, Distinguished Leadership Award 2008
American University, Alumni Recognition Award 2007
Action for Boston Community Development, Inc., Special Awardee 2007
The Arc of East Middlesex 50th Anniversary, Appreciation Award 2007
Irish America Magazine, Business 100 Honoree Leader 2006
New England Association of Regional Councils, The Arthur R. Hogan Regional Citizenship Award
2006
Irish Immigration Center, Solas Award 2006
Canadian Consul General to New England, The Champlain Award 2006
Roger Williams University, 50th Anniversary Medallion 2006
Irish America Magazine, Business 100 Honoree Leader 2005
Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation, Gunnar Dybwad Leadership Award 2005
Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, Founders Award 2004
EMARC-East Middlesex Association for Retarded Citizens, Man of the Year 2003
Fields Corner Community Development Corporation, Leadership Award 2003
Catholic Charities Greater Boston, Judge J. John Fox Award 2002
University of Massachusetts Boston, Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree 2001
Suffolk University School of Management, Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award 2001
Massachusetts Association of Older Americans, For Contribution to the Elderly Award 2000
Marion Manor Nursing Home, Distinguished Service Award 2000
Carney Hospital, Vincentian Award 1999
Best Buddies, Distinguished Service Award 1998
University of Massachusetts Boston, College of Management, Corporate Leadership Award 1997
Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, Special Recognition Award 1997
Association for Retarded Citizens (Arc), Distinguished Citizen Award 1996
Private Industry Council, Achievers Award 1996
Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, Appreciation Award 1996
Vietnamese Community of Massachusetts, Appreciation Plaque 1996
Action for Boston Community Development, Lifetime Public Service Award 1995
Boston Bar Association Banking Commission, Distinguished Public Service Award 1995
Columbia Savin Hill Civic Association, Community Service Award 1995
South Boston Against Drugs, Certificate of Appreciation 1995
Central Remedial Clinic, Dublin Ireland, Irish Person of the Year 1994
Boston Police Department Emerald Society, Man of the Year 1994
Gavin House, South Boston, Certificate of Appreciation 1995
The Laboure Center, Distinguished Service Award 1994
Kit Clark Senior Services, Distinguished Service Award 1994
Federated Dorchester Neighborhood House, Distinguished Service Award 1994
Friends of the John F. Kennedy Library, Irishman of the Year 1993
Massachusetts Corrections Officers, Appreciation Plaque 1993
Friends of Work Inc., Distinguished Service Award 1992
Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club, Service Award 1991
South Boston Citizens Association, John W. McCormack Award 1991
New England Chapter of the Irish American Labor Coalition, John Boyle O’Reilly Award 1991
Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, Appreciation Award 1991
Central Remedial Clinic of Ireland, Appreciation Award 1991
Saint Margaret’s Hospital, Distinguished Service Award 1990
Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, Public Service Award 1990
Hospice of Boston, Humanitarian Award 1989
Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, Outstanding Leadership Award 1989
Victim Advocacy Network, Distinguished Service Award 1988
University of Massachusetts Boston, Gerontology Center, Community Service Award 1987
University of Massachusetts Boston, Chancellors Medal for Exemplary Leadership 1987
Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center, Public Service Award 1985
Boston Jaycees, One of the Ten Outstanding Young Leaders 1984
Recognitions
Honorary Grand Marshal Dorchester Day Parade 2001
Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts 1997
Dorchester Allied Neighborhood Association 1996
Brett House 1995
Polish American Club 1994
South Boston Evacuation Day Activities, General Chairman 1993
Massachusetts Parole Board 1990
Massachusetts Coalition of Families and Advocates for the Retarded 1990
Suffolk County Deputy Sheriffs Association 1990
Bay Cove Human Services 1989
Law Enforcement Committee 1984
Legislator of the Year
Massachusetts Victim and Witness Assistance Board 1996
Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers 1996
Building Trades Council AFL-CIO 1993
Massachusetts Judges Conference 1990
Massachusetts Police Association 1989
Massachusetts Association for Retarded Citizens 1988
Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council 1988
Greater Boston Association for Retarded Citizens 1986
Brick Layers and Allied Craftsmen 1986
Dorchester Chapter No. 13 Disabled American Veterans 198
Legislation
Lead Sponsor of the Financial Service Bill, creating 11,000 jobs in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; 150 million dollars into our economy; ensuring that Massachusetts will continue to be the leader in the new century 1996
Chairman of the Joint Taxation Committee, played a leading role in passing 11 tax cuts that has
produced 900 million dollars in savings for Massachusetts residents
Chief Sponsor Bank Tax Reform (reforming the state bank tax code) 1995
Lead Sponsor to create Single Sales Factor Tax Code for all manufacturers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1996
Former Chairman
Joint Committee on Taxation 1995
Joint Committee on Bank and Banking 1992
Congressional Redistricting Committee 1989
Joint Committee on Criminal Justice 1988
Joint Committee on Counties 1987
Legislative Redistricting Committee 1985
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