[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1560]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF JOSEPH MACKEY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL E. CAPUANO

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 17, 2007

  Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and reflect on the life 
of Mr. Joseph Mackey, a dedicated public servant who was committed to 
improving the world around him in large and small ways. Joe was born in 
Somerville, Massachusetts, and attended Somerville High School. He went 
on to graduate cum laude from Harvard University and later earned his 
J.D. from the University of Virginia. In 1979, Joe returned to his 
roots and was elected an alderman for the city of Somerville.
  In 1984, Joe began representing his hometown in the State legislature 
and served with distinction through 1990. He championed victims' 
rights, environmental initiatives, and led the fight to implement 
Massachusetts' first gay rights legislation.
  Although Joe left the legislature in 1990, he never stopped 
advocating for his community. Joe was the founding member of Dreams for 
Youth, a nonprofit organization that provides financial support for a 
number of worthwhile groups, including Somerville's youth programs, the 
Somerville Scholarship Foundation and the Girls' Pride Basketball 
Foundation.
  During his lifetime, Joe received many well-deserved honors. He was 
named Legislator of the Year by the Massachusetts Bar Association and 
the Massachusetts Victim and Witness Assistance Board for his work on 
behalf of crime victims. The Victim Advocacy Network also honored Joe 
as an Outstanding Legislator.
  Throughout Joe's life, he worked to improve his community. Whether it 
was through the legislative process or as a private citizen devoting 
time to a worthy cause, Joe exemplified the value of giving something 
back.

                          ____________________