Congressman Neal to Speak at BCC Commencement
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal will be the keynote speaker at Berkshire Community College's 54th Commencement Exercises to be held May 30.
Neal was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1988. He represents the First Congressional District after many years the Second.
"Congressman Neal serves an important role in Berkshire County and the commonwealth," said BCC President Ellen Kennedy. "His commitment to education and academic excellence, coupled with his teaching experience, will resonate with our graduates in a very unique way. Congressman Neal began his college career at a Massachusetts community college, he exemplifies the possibilities and opportunities our students can pursue."
The Springfield Democrat is a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee and the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures. He is dean of both the Massachusetts delegation and the New England Delegation in the House of Representatives and is a member of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee.
He is an at-large whip for the House Democrats and a co-chairman of the New England Congressional Caucus, with which he advocates for the regional interests of the six New England States.
For more than three decades, Neal has been recognized as one of the leaders in the effort to bring lasting peace, justice and reconciliation to Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Earlier in his political career, he served on the Springfield City Council and was later elected mayor of Springfield.
Originally from Worcester, Neal attended Holyoke Community College after graduating from high school. He holds a bachelor's degree from American International College and a master's degree from the University of Hartford in Connecticut. Neal is a member of the Mount Holyoke College Board of Trustees.
He and his wife, Maureen, have four children.
Commencement will be held Friday, May 30, at 4:30 p.m. at Tanglewood in Lenox.
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