In 1969, Phil founded and served as Executive Director of the Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps, one of the top juvenile justice and social services agencies in the country. In 1991, Phil served as the Executive Director of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, in Washington, D.C., an organization established by the Kennedy family to continue to carry on RFK’s work in the field of social justice and human rights in the U.S. and around the globe. Prior to this appointment, Phil served as Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services under Governor Michael S. Dukakis. In 1992, he was appointed by President Clinton to serve as the New England Administrator of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He served in that role until 1996 when he became a Democratic candidate for the US Congress in the 10th District of Massachusetts. From 2000-2007, Phil was twice elected Chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
Phil was appointed in 2007 by Governor Deval Patrick as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Massachusetts. From 2013 to 2017, Phil served as Chairman of the University of Massachusetts Building Authority Board of Directors. In 2002, he was appointed to Chair the Board of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. In addition, Phil is the Board Chair of the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum affiliated with Brandeis University.
In addition to holding honorary degrees from the University of Massachusetts Boston, Bridgewater State College, and Curry College, Phil received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (Honors in History) and a Master of Arts degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
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Massachusetts Democrats believe that every person has the right to live a full, meaningful life with equal access to opportunity, security & inclusion. They believe that when people are empowered to organize their local communities, they can change the Commonwealth and country for the better.
Democratic candidate for the US Congress in the 10th District of Massachusetts. During this period, Phil was twice elected Chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the Federal Government of the United States. It consists of two chambers the House of Representatives & the Senate.
Appointed by President Clinton to serve as the New England Administrator Phil was responsible for a multitude of federal Health & Human Services programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, Headstart, WIC & many other programs serving vulnerable populations in the six New England states.
in 1984 Governor Michael S. Dukakis appointed Phil the Secretary of Health and Human Services in Massachusetts. Prior to this appointment, Phil had begun his fifth consecutive term as an elected State Representative from the Fourth Plymouth District of Massachusetts.
Phil was elected as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and was re-elected four times by large margins. During his tenure, he was responsible for the legislation which created the state Dept. of Social Services and the state hotline for abused & neglected children.
Founded in 1882 the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum brings together in one place the documents & artifacts of a President and his administration. Presenting them to the public for study and discussion without regard for political considerations or affiliations.
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In 2007 Phil was appointed by Governor Deval Patrick as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Massachusetts. The Foundation supports the development efforts of the five-campus system by overseeing several programs & initiatives to promote the growth & well-being of UMass.
Phil is an Advisory Board Member at the Taubman Center for State and Local Government at the Harvard Kennedy School. The Center focuses on several broad policy areas including (not limited to): public management, innovation, finance, labor-management relations; urban development, transportation, land use & environmental protection.
Phil has served on the Board of Directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts since 1998 and was elected Chair of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation in 2002. The Foundation provides grants to Massachusetts nonprofit organizations, which work in the healthcare field on behalf of low-income citizens.
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, founded in 1968, is led by human rights activist and lawyer Kerry Kennedy and advocates for a more just and peaceful world. Working alongside local activists to ensure lasting positive change in governments and corporations, the RFK team includes leading attorneys, advocates, entrepreneurs and writers united by a commitment to social justice.
Philip gave an introductory speech at the event titled "Addressing the Opioid Crisis in Small and Rural Communities in Western Massachusetts.” Held on the Harvard campus, the event was presented by the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum, in collaboration with the UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences.
