Josephy P. Kennedy II
United States Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy II is a Democratice
representative from the State of Massachusetts. He represents the district
formerly represented by Thomas “Tip” O’Neil, the former Speaker of the House of
Representatives of the United States. His formal education includes a
bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in l976. He is married
to the former Beth Kelly and is the father of two children. His father was the
late Senator Robert Kennedy of New York and his uncle was the late President
John F. Kennedy.
Congressman Kennedy’s political background includes a strong family
history in public service. Upon his graduation, his occupation was to form a
non profit company devoted to providing heating oil at affordable prices for the
poor and the working poor. He successfully manged this company before being
elected to Congress in l986. His interests in Congress have included affordable
health care, as well centering on price fixing issues in the home heating oil
industry. He has also been mentioned for national office due to the prominence
of his surname and his activities in the national Democratic party.
Joseph Kennedy has shown himself to be politically to the left of the
Democratic party in Congress. While his district includes both blue collar
workers and the elite of Cambridge, he has demonstrated a committment to liberal
postions on welfare, labor issues, and taxation. If he were to become a national
figure, the suspicion is that he might move slightly toward a more moderate
political position in order to enhance his national appeal.