Thomas F. Birmingham, former president of the Massachusetts state senate, gubernatorial candidate and union attorney, died Friday at age 73. Let’s see more details about Thomas and his cause of death in detail.
How did Thomas die?
Thomas died in Massachusetts Boston General Hospital, aged 73 on Friday. The Boston Globe broke the news on social media.
The Flag of the United States of America and the Flag of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts – Half-Half Notice – Former President of the Massachusetts State Senate Thomas F. Birmingham
Please note that Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey has ordered the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to be flown at half-staff in all state buildings, beginning immediately, until sunset on the day of the funeral, in honor of life and the legacy of former Senate President Thomas F. Birmingham, who died on January 20, 2023.INBOX: @MassGovernor @Maura_Healey comments on the passing of the ex @MA_Senate President Thomas Birmingham. #mapoli pic.twitter.com/asvP4h75xe
— Matt Zafranski (@MSzafranski413) January 21, 2023
Cause of death
Birmingham, known as “Tom,” died at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, The Boston Globe reported. His health has recently deteriorated. Before his death, he divided his time between Chelsea, where he worked as an employment lawyer, and New York.
The former state Senate president is remembered by his wife, Dr. Selma Botman, an author and provost at Yeshiva University in New York, as well as his two daughters and two grandchildren. As soon as the news broke, colleagues and friends poured their condolences on social media. Senate President Tom Birmingham was [an] an incredible public servant dedicated to moving Massachusetts forward,” Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey wrote in a series of tweets. “He had a towering intellect and curiosity, and the ability to connect with a range of people.” |
Who was Thomas Birmingham?
Tom was born in the Charlestown area of Boston in 1949 and his funeral will take place on Saturday, January 28th. A Rhodes Scholar and graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Birmingham, he went on to work as a labor attorney and Democratic legislator from 1993 to 2001.
Most recently, Birmingham served as executive director of Citizen Schools Massachusetts. It is a national not-for-profit organization that helps students through hands-on training and career mentors, as Senior Counsel at Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP, a highly regarded law firm now known as Locke Lord LLP, and as a Distinguished Senior Fellow in Education at Pioneer Institute, a public policy research think tank.
Tom’s career journey
Birmingham was elected to serve in the Massachusetts State Senate in 1991. While there, he served as co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Education and was a key figure in creating the groundbreaking education reform law that became law in that state in 1993.
With the creation of charter schools, increased state funding for public schools, and the introduction of the MCAS standardized tests, the legislation significantly changed the education system in the Commonwealth.
It is hardly hyperbole to suggest that Tom Birmingham did more in Massachusetts between 1993 and 2002 to create legislation and uphold the 1993 “grand bargain” of increased state money in exchange for rigorous academic standards, the test MCAS, charter schools, and universal accountability.
Pioneer Institute Executive Director Jim Stergios said in a statement in 2015.
Thomas Birmingham – Education Reform Act 1993
The Chelsea native is often lauded as one of the driving forces behind the landmark Massachusetts bill known as the Education Reform Act of 1993. “Senate President Thomas Birmingham was an incredible public servant dedicated to moving Massachusetts forward. He had a towering intellect and curiosity and ability to connect with a range of people.
Although he moved through rooms of power and privilege, he stayed true to his roots and never forgot where he came from or what mattered,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement. “His legacy includes the introduction of the Education Reform Act of 1993, which transformed our schools into a model of excellence for the nation, championing workers’ rights and championing marriage equality. His death is a great loss to the Commonwealth and my heart goes out to his wife Selma, his daughters and his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.”
Condolences posted on social media
Published by CBS Boston
“Senate President Thomas Birmingham has been an incredible public servant dedicated to moving Massachusetts forward. He had a towering intellect and curiosity, and the ability to connect with a range of people,” Governor Healey said.
Roy Avalaneda
My deepest condolences to the family of Tom Birmingham. I have always considered Tom to be one of the best political figures ever to come out of Chelsea.
A man who grew up in a working-class family here in Chelsea. Extremely intelligent, a graduate of Harvard University, a Rhodes Scholar and went on to run for office and was President of the Senate! Also highly respected for his stance on improving public education and advocacy for labor unions. Rest in peace Tom.
Half Staff Notice: @MassGovernor ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset on the day of the funeral in honor of former Senate President Thomas F. Birmingham, who died on January 20, 2023.
Further details of the funeral date will be provided. pic.twitter.com/unnJQI6Ljg— Cambridge Fire Department (@CambridgeMAFire) January 23, 2023
Charlie Sherman posted
So sorry to hear of the passing of Tom Birmingham. A Rhodes scholar and Harvard law graduate who became president of the Massachusetts Senate, but never forgot he was a Chelsea man. He loved his city and its people.
May he rest in peace.
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