Josephy P. Kennedy II Essay, Research Paper

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.