William R. Keating
Encyclopedia
William Richard "Bill" Keating (born September 6, 1952) is the U.S. Representative
for . From 1999 to 2011 he was District Attorney
of Norfolk County
. He is a member of the Democratic Party
and a former Massachusetts state representative
and state senator
.
Keating was born and raised in Norwood, Massachusetts
. He attended Boston College
and Suffolk University Law School
, and was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives
in 1977. He was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate in 1985, the same year he was admitted to the bar. In 1999 he was elected District Attorney of Norfolk County. He won an election in 2010 to succeed the retiring Bill Delahunt
in the United States House of Representatives
, and began his term in January 2011.
in 1952 to William B. and Anna (née Welch) Keating. A graduate of Sharon High School
, he attended Boston College
where he received his B.A. and Masters in Business Administration, and Suffolk University Law School
where he received his J.D.
in 1985. He became a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association in 1985 and is a former partner of the law firm of Keating & Fishman.
, where he represented the 19th Norfolk district (1977–1978) and the 8th Norfolk district (1979–1984). He was then elected to the Massachusetts Senate
, where he represented the Norfolk
and Suffolk
district (1985–1988), the Norfolk
and Bristol
district (1989–1994), and the Norfolk
, Bristol
, and Plymouth
district (1995–1998). In the Senate, he served as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Chairman of the Committee on Taxation, and Vice Chairman of the Committee on Criminal Justice. He also served as the Senate Chairman of the Committee on Public Safety and Chairman of the Steering and Policy Committee. In 1994 he challenged incumbent William M. Bulger
in the race for president of the Senate, but he lost.
From 1999 to 2011, Keating was the District Attorney of Norfolk County, Massachusetts
. While in this post his office established the Norfolk Advocacy Center, located in Foxborough
.
decided to retire. Keating won the Democratic primary on September 14, 2010. Keating ran against Republican nominee Jeff Perry
and Independents Maryanne Lewis and Jim Sheets for . On November 2, he won the general election.
(2011–2012) are as follows:
. In 2011, after the Social Security Administration
announced that there would be a Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment starting January 2012, Keating released a statement supporting the COLA and arguing against privatization of Social Security. In the statement, Keating said, “Social Security is a fundamental promise that each and every American should be able to rely on. We need to reaffirm that promise instead of promoting changes that will threaten the ability of our seniors to retire with dignity.”
From October 18 to October 21, 2011, Keating hosted “Women’s Week" in Massachusetts’ 10th District. Women's Week included events across the district, focusing on topics such as breast cancer awareness, domestic violence, and female entrepreneurship.
Keating is Pro-choice
, and during his tenure in the House has voted against the Protect Life Act
and the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act
. In 2010, Keating received a rating of 0% from Massachusetts Citizens for Life. In 1997, he was rated 100% by NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts
, and during the same year, he received a 100% rating from the Massachusetts National Organization for Women
.
In July 2011, Keating recorded a video supporting LGBT youth in Massachusetts in conjunction with other members of Massachusetts’ Congressional Delegation and the It Gets Better Project .
. Keating voted “nay” on the NLRB Prohibitions Bill in November 2011.
According to the Boston Globe "an advisor to Quincy Representative William R. Keating now says the congressman is unlikely to stay in his current district and face off against South Boston Representative Stephen F. Lynch. Keating will instead move to Cape Cod -- where he owns a summer house in Bourne -- to run in a 'new incumbent-free' district that will encompasses the Cape and the South Coast."
. He has a wife, Tevis, and two children, Kristen and Patrick. He also maintains a summer home in Bourne
.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for . From 1999 to 2011 he was District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
of Norfolk County
Norfolk County, Massachusetts
-National protected areas:* Adams National Historical Park* Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area * Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site* John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site-Demographics:...
. He is a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and a former Massachusetts state representative
Massachusetts House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is composed of 160 members elected from single-member electoral districts across the Commonwealth. Representatives serve two-year terms...
and state senator
Massachusetts Senate
The Massachusetts Senate is the upper house of the Massachusetts General Court, the bicameral state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Senate comprises 40 elected members from 40 single-member senatorial districts in the state...
.
Keating was born and raised in Norwood, Massachusetts
Norwood, Massachusetts
Norwood is a town and census-designated place in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,602. The community was named after Norwood, England...
. He attended Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
and Suffolk University Law School
Suffolk University Law School
Suffolk University Law School, also known as Suffolk Law School or SULS, is one of the professional graduate schools of Suffolk University. Suffolk University Law School is a private, non-sectarian, law school located in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Suffolk University Law School was founded in...
, and was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Massachusetts House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is composed of 160 members elected from single-member electoral districts across the Commonwealth. Representatives serve two-year terms...
in 1977. He was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate in 1985, the same year he was admitted to the bar. In 1999 he was elected District Attorney of Norfolk County. He won an election in 2010 to succeed the retiring Bill Delahunt
Bill Delahunt
William D. Delahunt is a former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1997 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Delahunt did not seek re-election in 2010, and left Congress in January 2011. He was replaced by Norfolk County District Attorney Bill Keating...
in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, and began his term in January 2011.
Early life, education, and career
Keating was born in Norwood, MassachusettsNorwood, Massachusetts
Norwood is a town and census-designated place in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,602. The community was named after Norwood, England...
in 1952 to William B. and Anna (née Welch) Keating. A graduate of Sharon High School
Sharon High School
Sharon High School, Machilipatnam, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, was started during International Childrens’ Year 1979. The school is run by the Sharon Educational Society registered under the Societies Act with the Government of India. It extends its resources to all people irrespective of...
, he attended Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
where he received his B.A. and Masters in Business Administration, and Suffolk University Law School
Suffolk University Law School
Suffolk University Law School, also known as Suffolk Law School or SULS, is one of the professional graduate schools of Suffolk University. Suffolk University Law School is a private, non-sectarian, law school located in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Suffolk University Law School was founded in...
where he received his J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
in 1985. He became a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association in 1985 and is a former partner of the law firm of Keating & Fishman.
Pre-congressional political career
Keating served in the Massachusetts House of RepresentativesMassachusetts House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is composed of 160 members elected from single-member electoral districts across the Commonwealth. Representatives serve two-year terms...
, where he represented the 19th Norfolk district (1977–1978) and the 8th Norfolk district (1979–1984). He was then elected to the Massachusetts Senate
Massachusetts Senate
The Massachusetts Senate is the upper house of the Massachusetts General Court, the bicameral state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Senate comprises 40 elected members from 40 single-member senatorial districts in the state...
, where he represented the Norfolk
Norfolk County, Massachusetts
-National protected areas:* Adams National Historical Park* Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area * Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site* John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site-Demographics:...
and Suffolk
Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Suffolk County has no land border with Plymouth County to its southeast, but the two counties share a water boundary in the middle of Massachusetts Bay.-National protected areas:*Boston African American National Historic Site...
district (1985–1988), the Norfolk
Norfolk County, Massachusetts
-National protected areas:* Adams National Historical Park* Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area * Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site* John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site-Demographics:...
and Bristol
Bristol County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 534,678 people, 205,411 households, and 140,706 families residing in the county. The population density was 962 people per square mile . There were 216,918 housing units at an average density of 390 per square mile...
district (1989–1994), and the Norfolk
Norfolk County, Massachusetts
-National protected areas:* Adams National Historical Park* Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area * Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site* John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site-Demographics:...
, Bristol
Bristol County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 534,678 people, 205,411 households, and 140,706 families residing in the county. The population density was 962 people per square mile . There were 216,918 housing units at an average density of 390 per square mile...
, and Plymouth
Plymouth County, Massachusetts
Plymouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. As of 2010, the population was 494,919. Its county seats are Plymouth and Brockton...
district (1995–1998). In the Senate, he served as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Chairman of the Committee on Taxation, and Vice Chairman of the Committee on Criminal Justice. He also served as the Senate Chairman of the Committee on Public Safety and Chairman of the Steering and Policy Committee. In 1994 he challenged incumbent William M. Bulger
William M. Bulger
William Michael "Billy" Bulger is a retired American Democratic Party politician, lawyer, and educator from South Boston, Massachusetts, who for many years was President of the Massachusetts Senate and president of the University of Massachusetts...
in the race for president of the Senate, but he lost.
From 1999 to 2011, Keating was the District Attorney of Norfolk County, Massachusetts
Norfolk County, Massachusetts
-National protected areas:* Adams National Historical Park* Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area * Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site* John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site-Demographics:...
. While in this post his office established the Norfolk Advocacy Center, located in Foxborough
Foxborough, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,246 people, 6,141 households, and 4,396 families residing in the town. The population density was 809.1 people per square mile . There were 6,299 housing units at an average density of 313.7 per square mile...
.
U.S. House of Representatives
Keating's term began on January 3, 2011.2010 election
This was an open seat, as Bill DelahuntBill Delahunt
William D. Delahunt is a former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1997 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Delahunt did not seek re-election in 2010, and left Congress in January 2011. He was replaced by Norfolk County District Attorney Bill Keating...
decided to retire. Keating won the Democratic primary on September 14, 2010. Keating ran against Republican nominee Jeff Perry
Jeff Perry (politician)
Jeffrey Davis "Jeff" Perry is a former member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives who represented the 5th Barnstable District from 2003-2011...
and Independents Maryanne Lewis and Jim Sheets for . On November 2, he won the general election.
Committee assignments
Keating's committee assignments in the 112th Congress112th United States Congress
The One Hundred Twelfth United States Congress is the current meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It convened in Washington, D.C. on January 3, 2011, and will end on January...
(2011–2012) are as follows:
- Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Subcommittee on the Middle East and South AsiaUnited States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South AsiaThe U.S. House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia is a subcommittee within the House Foreign Affairs Committee.-Jurisdiction:The subcommittee is one of five with what the committees calls "regional jurisdiction" over a specific area of the globe...
- Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia
- Committee on Homeland SecurityUnited States House Committee on Homeland SecurityThe U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. Its responsibilities include U.S...
- Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies
- Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Management (Ranking Member)
- Committee on Small BusinessUnited States House Committee on Small BusinessThe United States House Committee on Small Business is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives.-History:On December 4, 1941, the U. S...
- Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade
Social Security
In 1997, Keating was rated at 80% by the Massachusetts Human Services Coalition , an interest group that lists the improvement of public welfare as one of its goals. During his campaign for the House of Representatives in 2010, Keating pledged to oppose the privatization of Social SecuritySocial Security (United States)
In the United States, Social Security refers to the federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program.The original Social Security Act and the current version of the Act, as amended encompass several social welfare and social insurance programs...
. In 2011, after the Social Security Administration
Social Security Administration
The United States Social Security Administration is an independent agency of the United States federal government that administers Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivors' benefits...
announced that there would be a Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment starting January 2012, Keating released a statement supporting the COLA and arguing against privatization of Social Security. In the statement, Keating said, “Social Security is a fundamental promise that each and every American should be able to rely on. We need to reaffirm that promise instead of promoting changes that will threaten the ability of our seniors to retire with dignity.”
Women's Rights
In January 2011, Keating founded a Women’s Advisory Board for the 10th Congressional District in Massachusetts with hopes of gaining insight into how best to serve the women in the 10th District. According to Keating, “The issues addressed by the board, however, will… also focus on families, education, community, and small business needs.”From October 18 to October 21, 2011, Keating hosted “Women’s Week" in Massachusetts’ 10th District. Women's Week included events across the district, focusing on topics such as breast cancer awareness, domestic violence, and female entrepreneurship.
Keating is Pro-choice
Pro-choice
Support for the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-choice movement, a sociopolitical movement supporting the ethical view that a woman should have the legal right to elective abortion, meaning the right to terminate her pregnancy....
, and during his tenure in the House has voted against the Protect Life Act
Protect Life Act
The Protect Life Act is a bill introduced to the 112th United States Congress in the House of Representatives by Rep. Joe Pitts . The bill has 121 co-sponsors, including 6 Democrats...
and the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act
The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act is a bill that was introduced to the 112th Congress of the United States in the House of Representatives by Rep. Chris Smith and Dan Lipinski . Although the bill is a bipartisan effort, most of the 173 co-sponsors are Republicans...
. In 2010, Keating received a rating of 0% from Massachusetts Citizens for Life. In 1997, he was rated 100% by NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts
NARAL Pro-Choice America
NARAL Pro-Choice America , formerly the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, then National Abortion Rights Action League, and later National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, is an organization in the United States that engages in political action to oppose...
, and during the same year, he received a 100% rating from the Massachusetts National Organization for Women
National Organization for Women
The National Organization for Women is the largest feminist organization in the United States. It was founded in 1966 and has a membership of 500,000 contributing members. The organization consists of 550 chapters in all 50 U.S...
.
LGBT Issues
While serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in the 1980s, Keating voted in favor of making discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal and supported gay marriage rights in Massachusetts. In addition, Keating’s campaign platform includes a promise to fight Don't Ask Don't Tell and a promise to push nationwide anti-discrimination laws and marriage rights for gays and lesbians.In July 2011, Keating recorded a video supporting LGBT youth in Massachusetts in conjunction with other members of Massachusetts’ Congressional Delegation and the It Gets Better Project .
Labor
In 1998, Keating was rated at 100% by the Massachusetts AFL-CIOMassachusetts AFL-CIO
Massachusetts AFL-CIO is the Massachusetts state affiliate of the AFL-CIO. It was founded in 1958.The 'Mass AFL-CIO' is the umbrella organization for more than 750 local unions and intermediate bodies, such as joint boards and district councils, whose parent international unions are affiliated with...
. Keating voted “nay” on the NLRB Prohibitions Bill in November 2011.
Gun Rights
Keating voted for a statewide ban on assault weapons while serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and during his 2010 campaign for the United States House, promised to increase federal firearm regulations. His proposed changes included closing a loophole that allows people on the FBI Terrorist Watch List to buy guns and requiring child safety trigger locks on all guns sold in the US. Keating voted “nay” on the National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011.Redistricting
With the state poised to lose a congressional seat after the 2010 census, on November 7, 2011 lawmakers at the Massachusetts State House released a redistricting plan which placed Keating, who rents a house in Quincy, into the same congressional district as Congressman Stephen Lynch. Under the plan, the city of Quincy and other upper South Shore towns will be placed into Lynch's district forcing a showdown between the two lawmakers. .According to the Boston Globe "an advisor to Quincy Representative William R. Keating now says the congressman is unlikely to stay in his current district and face off against South Boston Representative Stephen F. Lynch. Keating will instead move to Cape Cod -- where he owns a summer house in Bourne -- to run in a 'new incumbent-free' district that will encompasses the Cape and the South Coast."
Personal life
Keating lives in Quincy, MassachusettsQuincy, Massachusetts
Quincy is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Its nicknames are "City of Presidents", "City of Legends", and "Birthplace of the American Dream". As a major part of Metropolitan Boston, Quincy is a member of Boston's Inner Core Committee for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council...
. He has a wife, Tevis, and two children, Kristen and Patrick. He also maintains a summer home in Bourne
Bourne, Massachusetts
Bourne is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 18,721 at the 2000 census.For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Bourne, please see the articles on Bourne , Buzzards Bay, Monument Beach, Pocasset, Sagamore, and Sagamore...
.