Who was John W. McCormack?

Mr. McCormack was our congressman and later Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. He was first elected to Congress in 1928. All during his time in the House, McCormack and his wife lived on Columbia Road at Edward Everett Square, within the geographic boundaries of this Civic Association.

Like many of the people who currently reside within our boundaries, Mr. McCormack triumphed over the forces of bigotry and poverty. In 1962, he was elected Speaker of the House where he proudly and vigorously pushed the progressive domestic programs of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson - programs designed to advance the interests of all "races, creeds and colors." From November 22, 1963 until January 20, 1965, Mr. McCormack was de facto Vice President of the United States, a heart beat away from the presidency! Mr. McCormack retired in 1971 and died in 1980 at the age of 89.