Bob DeLeo receives prestigious Roosevelt Award from Massachusetts Democratic Party

Special To The Transcript

Former Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo was honored at the 25th Annual Massachusetts Democratic Party Dinner as a recipient of the prestigious Roosevelt Award.

The award is the highest honor presented by the Massachusetts Democratic Party. Previous recipients have included U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Gov. Maura Healey, and former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. The award recognizes an individual who has been “a major champion of democratic values and causes.”

Also honored at the dinner was Roosevelt Award recipient Linda Whitlock, who is the former chief executive officer of the Boys and Girls Club of Boston.

DeLeo held the powerful Speaker of the House position from 2009 to 2020, making him the longest-serving Speaker in the history of the Commonwealth.

DeLeo left the House of Representatives to become a Northeastern University Fellow for Public Life. DeLeo teaches both undergraduate and law school classes at the university. He has also emerged as a beloved supporter of the Northeastern University men’s hockey team, frequently attending Huskies’ games.

Jeff Turco, who succeeded DeLeo as the state representative for Winthrop, lauded his selection for the Roosevelt Award and his tremendous contributions to the town that included service as a town meeting member and selectman.

“It is quite fitting that the Massachusetts Democratic Party bestowed its highest award upon former Speaker Robert DeLeo.  After a career of nearly fifty years of public service and as the longest serving Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Bob DeLeo has played an unmatched role in improving the quality of life for all residents of Massachusetts.  Truly a reform speaker, his legacy includes: pension reform, health care reform and ethics reform.  His tenure led to unprecedented investments in our public education system and much needed accountability in our beleaguered transportation system.  Sophocles once said, “One must wait until the evening to see how splendid the day has been.”  We are all fortunate to have witnessed and benefited from the splendid contributions of Bob DeLeo.  I am proud to call him both a friend and a mentor,” said Representative Jeffrey Rosario Turco (D. Winthrop).

(Information from the Northeastern University website was used in this story)