Last year, Bill Delahunt, 82, passed away in Massachusetts elections, according to PBS.
The Democrat, who served until 2011, died “peacefully” after battling a longer- term condition, according to a speech by his home on Saturday.
” While we mourn the loss of such a tremendous man, we even celebrate his extraordinary life and his reputation of devotion, service, and inspiration”, the speech said. We may always turn to him for guidance, relief, and a joke, but his lack leaves a gap in our family and our hearts.
Senator Ed Markey (D-MA ), who served with Delahunt in the U.S. House of Representatives between 1997 and 2011, praised his former partner as a staunch progressive advocate who supported his constituents west of Boston on Capitol Hill.
” I met with Bill in Quincy in February, and he was evident and as committed as ever to working on behalf of the South Shore and the citizens of Massachusetts”, Markey said in a statement. The William D. Delahunt Norfolk County Courthouse’s door is always open, as Bill Delahunt did, to allow the people inside to do their difficult work of improving life. The Commonwealth and the nation are better for Bill Delahunt’s perspective and company”.
The Quincy local left elections in 2011 after serving in Congress longer than originally planned at the request of past Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy, who claimed his leadership in assisting the passage of Obamacare with a Democratic supermajority was crucial. Kennedy’s dying in 2010 led Delahunt to indicate on living after elected office.
” It became apparent that I wanted to spend my time, the moment that I have left, with my family, with my friends and with my loved ones”, Delahunt said at the time.
Delahunt entered the provincial system after serving as district attorney for Norfolk County, where he ran on a system of being tough on job thieves, despite turning around progressive policies toward the close of his time in office.
In 1997, when he and Mr. Delahunt served on the Judiciary Committee with him, he said,” He makes it impossible for them to say Democrats are soft on crime.” Billy has “locked up more people” than the rest of the committee combined.
Delahunt also attributed his ability to find compromise in legislative issues to his success.
In a November interview with the Globe, former Massachusetts Attorney General Francis X. Bellotti stated,” Bill was able to cross the aisle more than anyone I know in the business.” ” If we had more Bill Delahunts, we would n’t be having the problems we’re having today”.
