Bill Delahunt

{{Short description|American politician (1941–2024)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Bill Delahunt | image = Bill Delahunt Congressional portrait 2.jpg | birth_name = William David Delahunt | birth_date = {{birth date|1941|07|18}} | birth_place = [[Quincy, Massachusetts]], U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|2024|03|30|1941|07|18}} | death_place = Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S. | state = [[Massachusetts]] | district = [[Massachusetts's 10th congressional district|10th]] | term_start = January 3, 1997 | term_end = January 3, 2011 | preceded = [[Gerry Studds]] | succeeded = [[Bill Keating]] | office1 = District Attorney of [[Norfolk County, Massachusetts|Norfolk County]] | term_start1 = January 1975 | term_end1 = January 1997 | predecessor1 = George G. Burke | successor1 = Jeffrey Locke | office2 = Member of the [[Massachusetts House of Representatives]] | term_start2 = January 3, 1973 | term_end2 = January 3, 1975 | predecessor2 = Joseph E. Brett | successor2 = James A. Sheets | constituency2 = 3rd Norfolk district (1973–1974)<br>4th Norfolk district (1974–1975) | party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] | spouse = Katharina E. Delahunt (divorced) | children = 2 | education = [[Middlebury College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|AB]])<br>[[Boston College]] ([[Bachelor of Laws|LLB]]) | signature = Bill Delahunt signature.png | branch = [[United States Coast Guard]] | service_years = 1963–1971 | unit = [[United States Coast Guard Reserve|Reserves]] | caption = Official portrait, 2008 }}

'''William David Delahunt'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015087610658?urlappend=%3Bseq=911|title=United States congressional serial set DOC 14489 1998.|website=HathiTrust|hdl=2027/mdp.39015087610658?urlappend=%3Bseq=911 }}</ref> ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|ɛ|l|ə|h|ʌ|n|t}};<ref>{{cite web |title=White Ribbon Day Pledge: Bill Delahunt |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX-9jJeuleU |website=YouTube | date=February 23, 2011 |access-date=6 April 2024}}</ref> July 18, 1941{{snd}}March 30, 2024) was an American lawyer and politician from [[Massachusetts]]. A member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], he served in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] representing {{ushr|MA|10}} from 1997 to 2011. Delahunt did not seek re-election in 2010, and left Congress in January 2011. He was succeeded by Norfolk County District Attorney [[Bill Keating (politician)|Bill Keating]].

==Early life, education, and early career== Delahunt was born in [[Quincy, Massachusetts]], on July 18, 1941.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2024/04/02/william-delahunt-massachusetts-congressman-dead/|title=William Delahunt, congressman who eased international adoption, dies at 82|first=Emily|last=Langer|newspaper=Washington Post|date=April 2, 2024|accessdate=April 5, 2024}}</ref> He was educated at [[Thayer Academy]], [[Middlebury College]], and [[Boston College Law School]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2024/03/former-us-rep-william-delahunt-of-mass-dies-from-long-term-illness.html|title=Former U.S. Rep. from Mass. who spent 14 years in Congress dies from long-term illness|first=Susannah|last=Sudborough|date=March 31, 2024|website=masslive|accessdate=March 31, 2024|archive-date=March 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331184209/https://www.masslive.com/news/2024/03/former-us-rep-william-delahunt-of-mass-dies-from-long-term-illness.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He served as a [[Radarman|radarman (RD3)]] in the [[United States Coast Guard]] in 1963 and the [[United States Coast Guard Reserve]] from 1963 to 1971.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/1998/states/MA/H/10/bill.delahunt.html|title=CNN/AllPolitics Election '98|website=www.cnn.com|access-date=March 31, 2024|archive-date=March 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331170633/https://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/1998/states/MA/H/10/bill.delahunt.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2024/03/30/delahunt-congress-law-enforcement-credentials-due-process-quincy-cape-cod/73157553007/|title=Bill Delahunt: Advocate of bipartisanship, opponent of Iraq war, patient lawmaker|first=Seth|last=Rolbein|website=Cape Cod Times|access-date=March 31, 2024|archive-date=March 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331170728/https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2024/03/30/delahunt-congress-law-enforcement-credentials-due-process-quincy-cape-cod/73157553007/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Delahunt was elected as a [[city council]]lor for Quincy, taking office in January 1972.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2010/03/11/congressman-bill-delahunt-reflects|title=Congressman Bill Delahunt Reflects|website=The Vineyard Gazette – Martha's Vineyard News|accessdate=March 31, 2024|archive-date=March 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331011024/https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2010/03/11/congressman-bill-delahunt-reflects|url-status=live}}</ref> He served a term in the [[Massachusetts House of Representatives]] from 1973 to 1975 before serving as [[district attorney]] of [[Norfolk County, Massachusetts|Norfolk County]] from 1975 to 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/03/31/1241885622/former-u-s-rep-william-delahunt-of-massachusetts-has-died-at-age-82 |title=Former US Rep. William Delahunt of Massachusetts has died at age 82 : NPR |website=[[NPR]] |date=March 31, 2024 |access-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331170633/https://www.npr.org/2024/03/31/1241885622/former-u-s-rep-william-delahunt-of-massachusetts-has-died-at-age-82 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==U.S. House of Representatives==

===Elections=== In 1996, Democratic Congressman [[Gerry Studds]] decided to retire. Delahunt decided to run for [[Massachusetts's 10th congressional district]]. On September 17, 1996, Delahunt won the Democratic [[Partisan primary|primary election]] with a plurality of 38% of the vote. He won the [[Plymouth County, Massachusetts|Plymouth County]] portion of the district, while losing the [[Norfolk County, Massachusetts|Norfolk County]] portion. He narrowly defeated state legislator [[Philip W Johnston]] of [[Marshfield, Massachusetts|Marshfield]] by just 119 votes<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=373228|title=Our Campaigns – MA District 10 – D Primary Race – Sep 17, 1996|website=Ourcampaigns.com|access-date=April 25, 2018|archive-date=October 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006062505/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=373228|url-status=live}}</ref> after a [[recount]], which was conducted in a handful of contested towns. Following the recount, Delahunt sought judicial review in the [[Massachusetts Superior Court]]. After reviewing about 900 ballots, Judge Elizabeth B. Donovan declared Delahunt the victor. The case was appealed to the [[Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court]], which upheld the lower court ruling.<ref name="BallotSurprise">{{cite news|date=October 6, 1996|agency=Associated Press|title=Candidate's Ballot Surprise|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/06/us/candidate-s-ballot-surprise.html|newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=March 31, 2024}}</ref> The case had the issue of "[[hanging chad]]s" in punch-card voting machines.<ref name=BallotSurprise /> On November 5, 1996, Delahunt defeated Republican state Representative [[Edward B. Teague III]] 54–42%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29532|title=Our Campaigns – MA District 10 Race – Nov 05, 1996|website=Ourcampaigns.com|access-date=April 25, 2018|archive-date=October 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006062542/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29532|url-status=live}}</ref>

Delahunt won re-election six times, defeating his opponent by at least 32 percentage points each time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=993|title=Our Campaigns – Candidate – William D. "Bill" Delahunt|website=Ourcampaigns.com|access-date=April 25, 2018|archive-date=April 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426075925/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=993|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 4, 2010, ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' confirmed that Delahunt would retire that year rather than seek reelection for an eighth term.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2010/03/delahunt_will_n.html |title=Delahunt will not seek reelection – Political Intelligence – A national political and campaign blog from The Boston Globe |publisher=Boston.com |date=March 4, 2010 |access-date=August 23, 2010 |archive-date=March 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308031847/http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2010/03/delahunt_will_n.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> Shortly before the announcement of his retirement, it was discovered that Delahunt, while serving as district attorney for Norfolk County, Massachusetts, had refused to file charges against Amy Bishop for shooting and killing her brother in 1986. On February 12, 2010, Bishop [[2010 University of Alabama in Huntsville shooting|murdered three of her colleagues]] at the [[University of Alabama in Huntsville]] after being denied tenure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2010/02/shooting-becomes-issue-for-delahunt-033099|title=Shooting becomes issue for Delahunt – POLITICO|website=[[Politico]] |date=February 17, 2010 |access-date=March 31, 2024|archive-date=March 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331171232/https://www.politico.com/story/2010/02/shooting-becomes-issue-for-delahunt-033099|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.necn.com/news/local/_necn__delahunt_on_not_charging_amy_bishop_in_1986_shooting_necn/1959836/|title=Delahunt on Not Charging Amy Bishop in 1986 Shooting|date=March 25, 2014|access-date=March 31, 2024|archive-date=March 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331171234/https://www.necn.com/news/local/_necn__delahunt_on_not_charging_amy_bishop_in_1986_shooting_necn/1959836/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Tenure=== As one of his first initiatives in Congress, Delahunt created the bipartisan caucus on the [[United States Coast Guard]] in 1999,<ref name=record/> which he co-chaired with two other Coast Guard veterans, Reps. [[Howard Coble]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[North Carolina|NC]]) and [[Gene Taylor (Mississippi)|Gene Taylor]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]-[[Mississippi|MS]]). This benefited his district through getting the problems of outpaced resources and security recognized at the ports of Massachusetts.<ref name=record/>

In November 2005, Delahunt met with [[President of Venezuela]] [[Hugo Chávez]] to arrange an assistance program in which Venezuela would supply winter home heating oil at a 40 percent price reduction to thousands of low-income Massachusetts residents.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/bourne-courier/2006/01/05/delahunt-warm-venezuelan-gift-in/40381378007/ |title=Delahunt: A warm Venezuelan gift in a cold winter |access-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331175555/https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/bourne-courier/2006/01/05/delahunt-warm-venezuelan-gift-in/40381378007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The program, which has since been expanded to help 500,000 people across the U.S., was carried out via the Venezuelan owned [[Citgo]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citgoheatingoil.com/ |title=Citgo-Venezuela Heating Oil Program |publisher=Citgo Corporation |year=2011 |access-date=June 7, 2012 |archive-date=May 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507230744/http://www.citgoheatingoil.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and brought accusations that Delahunt was assisting an anti-American leader. Delahunt, however, sometimes criticized Chávez, such as in a September 2006 letter expressing disgust at a speech given by Chávez to the [[United Nations]], in which he personally attacked [[United States President|President]] [[George W. Bush]], calling it "silly" and "inappropriate".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/49182144/|title=Article clipped from The Boston Globe|work=The Boston Globe |date=September 21, 2006|pages=4|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=March 31, 2024|archive-date=March 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331175555/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/49182144/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the [[110th U.S. Congress]], Delahunt served as the chair of the [[United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democratic-lawmakers-to-introduce-bill-to-cut-funds-for-iraq-agreement/ |title=Democratic Lawmakers to Introduce Bill to Cut Funds for Iraq Agreement – CBS News |website=[[CBS News]] |date=March 12, 2008 |access-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331184813/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democratic-lawmakers-to-introduce-bill-to-cut-funds-for-iraq-agreement/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Delahunt was a consistent opponent of the [[war in Iraq]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/MA/Bill_Delahunt.htm|title=Bill Delahunt on the Issues|publisher=Ontheissues.org|date=March 7, 2011|access-date=March 12, 2012|archive-date=March 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319030116/http://www.ontheissues.org/MA/Bill_Delahunt.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> However, on March 10, 2010, he voted against a measure to bring troops home from Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opencongress.org/roll_call/sublist/6665?party=Democrat&vote=Nay|title=House Roll Call #98: Democrats Voting 'Nay'|publisher=OpenCongress|date=March 10, 2010|access-date=March 12, 2012|archive-date=March 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313142529/http://www.opencongress.org/roll_call/sublist/6665?party=Democrat&vote=Nay|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Committee assignments=== * [[United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs|Committee on Foreign Affairs]] ** [[United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe|Subcommittee on Europe]](Chairman 111th Congress) ** [[United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight|Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight]] (Chairman 110th Congress) * [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|Committee on the Judiciary]] ** [[United States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law|Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law]] ** [[United States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security|Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security]] ** [[United States House Judiciary Task Force on Judicial Impeachment|Task Force on Judicial Impeachment]]

===Caucus memberships=== * Co-chair of the bipartisan Coast Guard Caucus * Co-chair of the House Older Americans Caucus * Co-chair of the Congressional Working Group on Cuba

Delahunt was a member of the [[United States House Foreign Affairs Committee]], [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|Judiciary Committee]], House Older Americans Caucus, and the Congressional Working Group on [[Cuba]]. In 1999, he co-founded the [[bipartisan]] Coast Guard Caucus. The Coast Guard presented him with their [[Coast Guard Distinguished Public Service Award|Distinguished Public Service Award]] in June 2010.<ref name=record>{{Cite web|url=https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/politics/elections/2011/01/09/delahunt-s-record-draws-praise/51319908007/|title=Delahunt's record draws praise|first=DOUG|last=FRASER|website=Cape Cod Times|access-date=March 31, 2024|archive-date=March 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331171909/https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/politics/elections/2011/01/09/delahunt-s-record-draws-praise/51319908007/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Post-congressional career==

===Lobbying=== Upon Delahunt's retirement, he formed the Delahunt Group,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thedelahuntgroup.com/ |title=The Delahunt Group |publisher=The Delahunt Group |access-date=March 12, 2012 |archive-date=March 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325235918/http://www.thedelahuntgroup.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> a lobbying firm ("multi-service consulting firm focused on Government Affairs, International Market Entry Strategies, Corporate and Development Advisory, Federal and State Funding, and Appropriations, Regulatory and Permitting Assistance, Public Policy Strategies and Public Relations"). Delahunt told the ''[[Cape Cod Times]]'' that he viewed it as an extension of his work in Congress. As a legislator, he explained, he set policy at a macro level. Now, he said: "we're taking that and bringing it down here to the communities, to encourage implementation. We're working with the private sector and the public sector in a way that's a win-win for everyone." He told the ''Times'' he was particularly interested in work that encourages regional tourism and economic development."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110619/BIZ/106190313/-1/NEWSMAP |title=Delahunt moves beyond Congress |publisher=CapeCodOnline.com |date=June 19, 2011 |access-date=March 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514105228/http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20110619%2FBIZ%2F106190313%2F-1%2FNEWSMAP |archive-date=May 14, 2012 }}</ref>

[[File:Bill Delahunt 2.jpg|thumb|220px|Delahunt portrait]]

Less than two months after leaving Congress, Delahunt lobbied on behalf of the [[Wampanoag people]] in Massachusetts to help them secure Indian gaming rights with the state legislature. Delahunt filled a gap left by the Wampanoag's previous lobbyist [[Jack Abramoff]] following his conviction associated with the renowned [[Jack Abramoff Indian lobbying scandal]]. Delahunt received over $15,000 in campaign contributions from the Wampanoag and Abramoff prior to leaving office sparking criticisms from good government advocates and casino opponents. While Delahunt was precluded by law from lobbying the Congress for at least one year, rules did not preclude him from lobbying state legislatures.<ref>[http://plymouthdailynews.com/ed-markey-slams-pilgrim-nuke-bill-delahunt-now-lobbyist-tribe-noaa-us-turning-corner-ending-overfish Tribe hires Bill Delahunt as lobbyist, replaces Abramoff] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715232516/http://plymouthdailynews.com/ed-markey-slams-pilgrim-nuke-bill-delahunt-now-lobbyist-tribe-noaa-us-turning-corner-ending-overfish|date=July 15, 2011}}, Plymouth Daily News, March 11, 2011.</ref>

Delahunt formally announced his retirement from Congress in March 2010. Between March and December 2010, he made over $10,000 in campaign contributions to Massachusetts state legislators from his federal congressional PAC – a 500 percent increase from previous years' contributions.<ref>[https://wampaleaks.blogspot.com/2011/06/wampanoag-lobbyist-bill-delahunt.html Wampanoag lobbyist Bill Delahunt campaign contributions used federal PAC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325142113/http://wampaleaks.blogspot.com/2011/06/wampanoag-lobbyist-bill-delahunt.html |date=March 25, 2012 }}, WampaLeaks, June 21, 2010.</ref>

Delahunt also established a lobbying partnership with the Washington, DC–based Prime Policy Group on ways American companies can establish themselves in foreign countries while helping foreign businesses with connections to in United States markets.<ref>[http://www.prime-policy.com/news/prime-policy-group-partner-former-congressman-bill-delahunt Prime Policy Group partners with former congressman Bill Delahunt] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619152636/http://www.prime-policy.com/news/prime-policy-group-partner-former-congressman-bill-delahunt |date=June 19, 2011 }}, Prime Policy Group press release, February 16, 2011.</ref> Prime Policy Group's clients include companies like [[Accenture]],<ref>[http://reporting.sunlightfoundation.com/lobbying/firm/prime-policy-group/BC80C76F-FBA4-4F70-8AAD-5D11D064D5AF Prime Policy Group – Accenture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725232145/http://reporting.sunlightfoundation.com/lobbying/firm/prime-policy-group/BC80C76F-FBA4-4F70-8AAD-5D11D064D5AF |date=July 25, 2011 }}, Sunlight Foundation Reporting Group, January 1, 2010.</ref> which have been criticized for moving offshore to avoid paying U.S. taxes. This partnership dovetails with Delahunt's work on behalf of the Wampanoag as their primary backers are the Malaysian gambling giant [[Genting Group]]. Genting is seeking to establish a foothold in the United States with ventures in New York, Miami and Massachusetts. The Wampanoag venture, if approved, would give Genting a tax-free foothold in [[Native American gaming|Indian gaming]] in the United States.<ref>[https://eyeonmiami.blogspot.com/2011/06/who-lobbied-for-genting-berhad-owner-of.html Who lobbied for Genting?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721172121/http://eyeonmiami.blogspot.com/2011/06/who-lobbied-for-genting-berhad-owner-of.html |date=July 21, 2011 }}, Eye on Miami, June 1, 2011.</ref>

===Medical marijuana=== Delahunt, who was President of Medical Marijuana of Massachusetts Inc.,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/CorpWeb/CorpSearch/CorpSummary.aspx?FEIN=001102121&SEARCH_TYPE=1 | title = Business Entity Summary | access-date = November 25, 2013 | archive-date = December 2, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234758/http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/CorpWeb/CorpSearch/CorpSummary.aspx?FEIN=001102121&SEARCH_TYPE=1 | url-status = live }}</ref> applied for three medical [[marijuana dispensary]] licenses from the Massachusetts state Department of Public Health. The businesses would be located in [[Mashpee, Massachusetts|Mashpee]], [[Plymouth, Massachusetts|Plymouth]] and [[Taunton, Massachusetts|Taunton]]. The locations were all planned to be in separate counties, so they would not compete with each other in the selection process.<ref name="Chesto">{{cite news|first=Jon|last=Chesto|title=Former congressman Bill Delahunt looks to open three medical marijuana centers|date=November 24, 2014|publisher=American City Business Journals|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/mass_roundup/2013/11/delahunt-looks-to-open-marijuana-centers.html|work=Boston Business Journal|access-date=November 25, 2013|archive-date=November 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126125910/http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/mass_roundup/2013/11/delahunt-looks-to-open-marijuana-centers.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Delahunt supported the creation of medical [[marijuana dispensaries]] to thwart the rise in prescription drug abuse. He was also significantly involved in the operations of any of the [[marijuana dispensary|dispensaries]] that Medical Marijuana of Massachusetts opens.<ref name="Chesto"/>

In September 2014, Delahunt resigned from his position as President of Medical Marijuana of Massachusetts Inc. after the licenses for his planned dispensaries were rejected by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.patriotledger.com/story/news/healthcare/2014/09/15/delahunt-resigns-from-medical-marijuana/36402221007/|title=Delahunt resigns from medical marijuana non-profit|first=Patrick|last=Ronan|publisher=The Patriot Ledger|date=September 15, 2014|accessdate=March 30, 2024|archive-date=March 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330211841/https://www.patriotledger.com/story/news/healthcare/2014/09/15/delahunt-resigns-from-medical-marijuana/36402221007/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Harvard Institute of Politics=== In late May 2017, Delahunt became the acting director of the [[Harvard Institute of Politics]].<ref name="HarvardIOP">{{cite web|url=http://iop.harvard.edu/about/acting-director|title=Acting Director|publisher=Harvard Institute of Politics|access-date=September 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914034654/http://iop.harvard.edu/about/acting-director|archive-date=September 14, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Diplomacy=== In 2013, Delahunt helped free a U.S. citizen who was imprisoned by the Venezuelan government.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/luke-decock/article16915775.html |title=DeCock: Hockey diplomacy was Tripp Tracy's only hope to rescue brother |access-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414002320/https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/luke-decock/article16915775.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life and death== Delahunt's paternal grandfather immigrated to the United States from Canada and his paternal grandmother's family was Irish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/reps/delahunt.htm|title=RootsWeb.com Home Page|website=Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com|access-date=April 25, 2018|archive-date=October 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003105909/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/reps/delahunt.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bill Delahunt and his wife, Katharina, divorced in 1986. They had one daughter, Kristin, and adopted another, Kara Mai (''née'' Nguyen Mai Tai Trang), from [[Vietnam]] in 1975. While Congress was in session, Delahunt lived in a rented house with fellow Democratic politicians [[George Miller (California politician)|George Miller]], [[Chuck Schumer]], and [[Dick Durbin|Richard Durbin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/18/garden/18roomies.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|title=New York Times — Taking Power, Sharing Cereal|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 18, 2007|access-date=March 12, 2012|archive-date=April 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425184646/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/18/garden/18roomies.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the time of his death, he was engaged to Julie Pagano.<ref name=obit>{{cite web |last1=Marquard |first1=Bryan |title=William Delahunt, former congressman who led a groundbreaking prosecutor's office, dies at 82 |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/30/metro/william-delahunt-former-congressman-who-led-groundbreaking-prosecutors-office-dies-82/ |website=[[The Boston Globe]] |access-date=March 30, 2024 |archive-date=March 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330202412/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/30/metro/william-delahunt-former-congressman-who-led-groundbreaking-prosecutors-office-dies-82/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Delahunt died at his Quincy home on March 30, 2024, at the age of 82.<ref name=obit/>

== See also == * {{Portal inline|Biography}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{CongLinks | congbio=d000210 | votesmart= | fec=H2MA11060 | congress= }} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060712003357/http://www.housedemocrats.gov/30Something/floor.html Leader Pelosi's "30 Something" Working Group] speeches * {{C-SPAN|46620}}

{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-hs}} {{US House succession box | state=Massachusetts | district=10 | before=[[Gerry Studds]] | after=[[William R. Keating]] | years=1997–2011}} {{end}} {{USRepMA}} {{USCongRep-start|congresses= 105th–111th [[United States Congress]] |state=[[Massachusetts]]}} {{USCongRep/MA/105}} {{USCongRep/MA/106}} {{USCongRep/MA/107}} {{USCongRep/MA/108}} {{USCongRep/MA/109}} {{USCongRep/MA/110}} {{USCongRep/MA/111}} {{USCongRep-end}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Delahunt, Bill}} [[Category:1941 births]] [[Category:2024 deaths]] [[Category:21st-century Massachusetts politicians]] [[Category:American people of Canadian descent]] [[Category:American people of Irish descent]] [[Category:Boston College Law School alumni]] [[Category:Democratic Party members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives]] [[Category:Democratic Party United States representatives from Massachusetts]] [[Category:District attorneys in Norfolk County, Massachusetts]] [[Category:Harvard Institute of Politics]] [[Category:Members of the United States Congress who became lobbyists]] [[Category:Middlebury College alumni]] [[Category:Politicians from Quincy, Massachusetts]] [[Category:Thayer Academy alumni]] [[Category:United States Coast Guard enlisted]] [[Category:United States Coast Guard reservists]] [[Category:21st-century United States representatives]] [[Category:20th-century members of the Massachusetts General Court]]