Joseph P. Kennedy II
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| Joseph P. Kennedy II | |
|---|---|
| Name | Joseph P. Kennedy II |
| Caption | Official portrait, 1987 |
| Office | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 8th district |
| Term start | January 3, 1987 |
| Term end | January 3, 1999 |
| Predecessor | Tip O'Neill |
| Successor | Michael Capuano |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Sheila Brewster Rauch (m. 1979; div. 1991), Anne Elizabeth Kelly (m. 1993) |
| Parents | Robert F. Kennedy, Ethel Skakel |
| Relations | Kennedy family |
| Alma mater | University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston College Law School |
Joseph P. Kennedy II. He is an American businessman, former politician, and prominent member of the Kennedy family. The eldest son of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel, he served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts for six terms. Following his political career, he became known for his leadership of the non-profit energy company Citizens Energy Corporation.
Early life and education
He was born on September 24, 1952, in Brighton, Massachusetts. His early life was marked by the prominent political careers of his father, Robert F. Kennedy, and his uncle, President John F. Kennedy. He attended the Fessenden School and later graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Boston College Law School in 1976. His education was interrupted by a period working for the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic.
Business career
His primary business career has been intertwined with his philanthropic work. In 1979, he founded Citizens Energy Corporation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable heating oil to low-income families. He served as the company's president for decades, expanding its operations internationally. Under his leadership, the organization launched initiatives in Venezuela and other nations. He also worked briefly in the oil industry prior to founding his company.
Political career
He was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives in 1986, succeeding retiring Speaker Tip O'Neill. He represented Massachusetts's 8th congressional district, which included parts of Boston and Cambridge. During his tenure, he served on the House Banking Committee and was an advocate for Medicare reform and low-income housing. He chose not to seek re-election in 1998. In 2018, he considered a primary challenge against Senator Ed Markey but ultimately declined to run.
Personal life
He married his first wife, Sheila Brewster Rauch, in 1979; they had twin sons, but the marriage ended in a highly publicized divorce in 1991. His 1993 marriage to his second wife, Anne Elizabeth Kelly, was annulled by the Roman Catholic Church in 1997, a decision Rauch contested in her book Shattered Faith. He has been involved in several controversies, including a 1973 car accident on Nantucket that left a passenger permanently paralyzed. He is the brother of former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy and former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy.
Legacy and public image
His legacy is defined by his blend of political service and social entrepreneurship through Citizens Energy Corporation. He is often viewed as a Kennedy who maintained the family's commitment to New Deal liberalism and anti-poverty efforts. His public image was complicated by personal scandals, including his divorce and annulment, which received significant coverage in media outlets like The Boston Globe. Despite this, his work providing energy assistance has remained a lasting contribution, recognized by groups like the NAACP.
Category:Kennedy family Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts Category:1952 births