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Revision as of 20:36, 9 November 2012
 | This article is an autobiography or has been extensively edited by the subject or by someone connected to the subject. |
Linda Melconian | |
|---|---|
| File:Linda Melconian.jpg | |
| Senate Majority Leader of the Massachusetts State Senate | |
| In office 1983–2005 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Linda Jean Melconian Springfield, Massachusetts |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Andrew J. Scibelli |
| Alma mater | Mount Holyoke College, BA George Washington University, MA George Mason University, JD |
| Occupation | Attorney, Educator, Public Servant |
Linda J. Melconian is a former American state legislator who served as Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. A member of the Democratic Party, she represented the greater Springfield area as its State Senator from 1983-2005.
Early life and education
Melconian, the only child of George and Virginia Melconian, grew up in the Forest Park section of Springfield, Massachusetts. Linda graduated with highest honors from Springfield’s Classical High School and was a competitive swimmer in the backstroke events. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, cum laude, Linda also earned a Master’s Degree from the School of Public and International Affairs at George Washington University, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from George Mason University. In 2012, Mount Holyoke College honored Linda Melconian as one of its 175 alumnae “Women of Influence”. [1]
Entry into politics
Melconian, a history major at Mount Holyoke, experienced her introduction to public service as an intern with Congressman Edward P. Boland (D-MA) through the D.C. internship program created by the late MHC politics professor, Victoria Schuck. In 1971, Linda began her public service career as legislative assistant to U. S. House of Representatives’ Majority Thomas P. Tip O’Neill (D-MA). After “Tip” O’Neill was elected House Majority Leader and Speaker, Linda became the first woman staff professional to merit standing U. S. House Floor privileges in all three majority leadership offices.[2]
In 1974, Melconian assisted then Majority Leader Tip O’Neill in his efforts to assure the integrity of the U.S. House of Representatives during the constitutional crisis of the historic Richard Nixon impeachment hearings. Melconian had a role in assisting in the passage of House Resolution 148 which created April 24th as a national day of commemorating the Armenian Genocide as “Man’s Inhumanity to Man”.[3] Melconian also helped to co-ordinate Speaker O’Neill’s trip to Ireland in 1979 as part of his life-long efforts to bring peace to Northern Ireland.[citation needed]
Massachusetts State Senate
For more than two decades, Melconian rose through the Democratic Party ranks to become Assistant Majority Leader and then Majority Floor Leader of the Massachusetts Senate where she often held the position of Acting Senate President.[4] Appointed by the Senate President Thomas Birmingham (D-MA) and confirmed by the Senate Democratic Caucus as the first woman Majority Leader in the history of the Massachusetts Senate, Linda managed to help shape the legislative agenda and led the Senate in all its deliberations and decision making on public policy issues. In announcing the Senate Majority Leader appointment, Senate President Birmingham stated: “Senator Melconian, in her various prior legislative roles, has earned a reputation for being well versed in a wide range of policy areas which will be an asset to the whole senate. She has always interacted well with experienced legislators as well as incoming ones and that is an inclusivity that will help her develop consensus and support for our legislative initiatives.”[5]
In the State Senate Melconian also served as Senate Chairwoman of Insurance Committee [6] where she was responsible for developing all major property/casualty, health and life insurance legislation in the Commonwealth and created a legislative Science and Technology Committee[7]. Linda held positions on the Senate Ways and Means (assistant vice chairwoman), Joint Committees on Judiciary[8],vice chairwoman) Commerce and Labor[9], and Elderly and Human Service[10].
Melconian sponsored an annual golf tournament that raised more than $300,000 for battered women's shelters in her district and is a fierce advocate for women's issues. Her advocacy work continues in the field of children's and seniors' issues, criminal justice and health care. Always conscious of her Armenian heritage, she attended the Third International Armenian Women's Association's conference in Yerevan 2002 where she presented a paper on "Women and Politics in America"[11] Melconian has worked with the Armenian Assembly to help establish political internships in Washington D.C, for students of Armenian descent. She was honored by the Armenian-American community for her role in creating April 24th as a national commemoration of the Armenian genocide.
Linda now serves as a faculty member in the Institute for Public Service and Business Law/Ethics Departments at Suffolk University’s Business School. As Senior Fellow in the Moakley Center for Public Management [12], she works with business and government leaders in collaborative efforts to provide unique program opportunities connecting business students with government. Through the Moakley Center, she developed a Moakley Fellows Internship Program and a Moakley Breakfast Series [13] of forums on current public policy issues at the federal, state and local levels.
References
- ^ "Women of Influence Gallery | Mount Holyoke College". mtholyoke.edu. 2012 [last update]. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help) - ^ "Women of Influence Gallery | Mount Holyoke College". mtholyoke.edu. 2012 [last update]. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help) - ^ "MIRROR_SPECTATOR_ 01_20_1999.htm". arzo.com. 2008 [last update]. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help) - ^ "Senate leadership realigned; Wilkerson appointed - The Boston Globe (Boston, MA) | HighBeam Research". highbeam.com. 2012 [last update]. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help) - ^ {{citeweb|urlhttp://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19990101/NEWS01/301019793&template=printart|.
- ^ {{citeweb|urlhttp://www.mass.gov/legis/journal/sj081299.htm|.
- ^ {{citeweb|urlhttp://www.nesl.edu/research/Legislative_Council/S1620_baystate_challenge.pdf|.
- ^ {{citeweb|urlhttp://www.mass.gov/legis/journal/sj040698.htm|.
- ^ {{citeweb|urlhttp://www.mass.gov/legis/journal/sj042299.htm|.
- ^ {{citeweb|urlhttp://www.mass.gov/legis/journal/sj042999.htm|.
- ^ {{citeweb|urlhttp://www.agbu.org/publications/article.asp?A_ID=232|.
- ^ {{citeweb|urlhttp://www.suffolk.edu/business/48136.html|.
- ^ {{citeweb|urlhttp://www.suffolk.edu/business/52037.html|.
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