The community mourns the loss of former Senate Speaker Tom Birmingham, who died on January 20, 2023, aged 73.
Mr Birmingham represented Revere in the Senate after he was elected to the seat in 1990. He succeeded Senator Fran Doris as Senator for Revere and was elected President of the Senate in 1996 and served as the esteemed body leader until his resigned in 2003.
Current Revere officials have spoken fondly of Mr Birmingham, who grew up in Chelsea and is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School and was a Rhodes Scholar.
“I was saddened to learn of the passing of Tom Birmingham, the former Speaker of the Massachusetts Senate,” said Mayor Brian Arrigo. “His passing is a loss to Massachusetts, and he will be missed by many.”
General Councilors Dan Rizzo and Anthony Zambuto were members of the City Council during the presidency of the Birmingham Senate.
“Tom Birmingham was a pioneer,” Rizzo said. “He introduced the educational reform that radically transformed education in Massachusetts. He assured that school departments would get adequate funding to enable them to provide first-class education to children. He was passionate about it, and it’s a legacy that has positively impacted countless children, families, and educators.
Rizzo admired the way Mr Birmingham could connect with people from all walks of life. “Tom was an extremely bright guy. His formal education, probably to this day, was second to none, but he was an ordinary guy. He was a street guy. He could really communicate in a way that made everything understandable. he was talking about. He cared about the neighborhood. He was always in Revere. It’s good to see your state senator periodically, and we would see a lot of Tom Birmingham in the town of Revere. I’m grateful for his service. Tom Birmingham will be remembered very positively for a long time,” concluded Rizzo, former mayor of Revere.
Zambuto said: “Tom Birmingham was just a great guy. He was very smart and really just a decent human being. He was a real public servant. I was shocked to hear the news of his passing. I send my condolences to his family. He will be missed.”
State Representatives Jessica Giannino and Jeff Turco praised Mr. Birmingham’s legislative accomplishments and his commitment to education and Massachusetts students.
“Tom Birmingham has served the citizens of Revere, Chelsea and other communities with distinction,” said Giannino. “This, coupled with his unwavering commitment to the education of children across the Commonwealth, is something that will be remembered forever. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. »
Turco said he was “saddened” by the news of Mr Birmingham’s death.
“Senate Speaker Tom Birmingham’s legacy in the field of education is unparalleled in the history of the Commonwealth,” said Turco, who was chief of staff to former Senator Guy Glodis during Mr. Birmingham as President of the Senate. “This is truly a loss to Massachusetts, and I send my condolences to his family.”
Senator Sal DiDomenico, who was elected in 2010 to the Senate seat previously held by Mr. Birmingham, praised Mr. Birmingham’s contributions to communities in the district. “As a member of the Everett City Council, I know how instrumental Senator Birmingham was in building the new Everett High School and how well he served the needs of our community. “When he ran for governor in 2002, I supported his candidacy.”
Former state representative Kathi Reinstein represented Revere and Chelsea in the House of Representatives, while Mr Birmingham served in the state Senate.
Said Reinstein, “Tom Birmingham held many titles in his political life, but I know the ones he treasured most were father, husband, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend. He will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his district, and the children of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; who will continue to benefit in perpetuity from his advocacy on their behalf. It was an honor to serve with him and to share a district with him. May his memory be a blessing.”
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