Oral history interview with James Hennigan, Jr. (OH-066, audio recording and transcript)

Oral history interview with James Hennigan, Jr. (OH-066, audio recording and transcript)

2007

In this interview, James W. Hennigan, Jr., a Suffolk University Law School alumnus (JD 1958), Massachusetts state representative (1953-1954), state senator (1955-1964), and Boston School Committee member (1970-1974), discusses the impact of the 1974 Garrity decision, which required some students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the intention of creating racial balance in the public schools. Mr. Hennigan reflects on the issue of busing in the Boston Public School system, recalling the Boston School Committee’s work in the years prior to the Garrity decision and the roles which various politicians and city leaders played in the debate. He reminisces about Boston’s great politicians. Additionally, he recalls his memories of Joe Moakley’s successful run as an Independent candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1972. Mr. Hennigan also shares a bit of his political career and that of his family.

Moakley Oral History Project

Copyright Suffolk University. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by the John Joseph Moakley Archive & Institute. Prior permission is required for any commercial use.

Sound recording

Oral histories

MP3

PDF

English

OH-066

Allison, Robert J.

McEttrick, Joseph

Hennigan, James W.

1:13:18