The Honorable Robert DeLeo

Speaker, Massachusetts House of Representatives

House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) has represented the 19th Suffolk District, including the Town of Winthrop and a portion of the City of Revere, in the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 1991. A graduate of Boston Latin School, Speaker DeLeo holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern University and a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School. DeLeo became Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives on January 28, 2009.Speaker DeLeo successfully led the enactment of nationally heralded legislation that cut health care costs for cities and towns in Massachusetts. During the same session, he spearheaded legislation for a far-reaching judiciary reorganization in concert with the chief justice of the Supreme Judicial Court. Legislation that Speaker DeLeo revived and Governor Deval Patrick signed made expanded gaming legal in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and allowed for up to three resort-style casinos and one competitively bid slot parlor. This law will create tens of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in state revenue. As of July 31, the end of this past session, the House had passed major bills pertaining to economic development, health care, civil rights, redistricting, repeat offenders, green energy, and pension reform.Speaker DeLeo’s priorities continue to include job creation, strong fiscal management, and reform that streamlines and improves the government and the economy.Speaker DeLeo is a two-time past recipient of the Massachusetts Bar Association Legislator of the Year Award; the AMVETS’ Legislative Pilgrim Award; the Massachusetts Municipal Association Legislator of the Year Award; the Health and Home Care Association of Massachusetts Legislator of the Year Award; the Veterans Agents Legislator of the Year Award; the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council and Arc Massachusetts Legislator of the Year Award; and the Perkins School of the Blind Paul McDade FOCUS Award for Distinguished Leadership. Since 2001, Speaker DeLeo has served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Boston Association for Retarded Citizens (GBArc). He is the recipient of honorary degrees from Suffolk University and Salem State University.