Thomas M. Finneran, a Democrat from Mattapan, is the most powerful individual in the Massachusetts legislature. Writer Maria Karagianis noted that "if ever there was a man who seems to have the combination of intelligence, charisma, and street fighter's instincts necessary to be a successful Speaker, it is he. On top of it all, he seems to really love his job." It is often said that Finneran's comfort as Speaker of the House of Representatives is solely the result of his upbringing. Contrary to popular thought, Speaker Finneran was not born with politics running through his veins nor was he even born in Dorchester.

Thomas M. Finneran, the fourth of seven children, lived in housing projects in East Boston until his family ultimately moved to Dorchester when he was 12 years old. Although he was from a very large family, Mr. Finneran and his siblings were very closely-knit. "You couldn't get a word in edgewise at my supper table," he stated in an interview. "I was the middle of seven children. I know it is hard to believe, but I was the quiet one. I remember everyone just talking at the supper table. No one was connecting with anybody else. And nobody was listening. Everyone was just arguing in loud voices. We all had our own ideas on sports, politics, and religion. People kid me now and say maybe that's where I learned how to talk so fast. And so much." Finneran's mother, Mary, fondly remembers her middle son as being "the compassionate peacemaker" of the Finneran household. Mary Finneran recounts, "Tom was always exceptional in his ability to see what needed doing and then doing it. Can you imagine the chaos of five boys around here? Tom would talk to me and he'd notice what needed doing while he talked."

Mary Finneran actually deserves a lot of credit for her son's success. Mary is often credited as being the driving force behind her children's academic achievement. In fact, all of the Finneran children attended the prestigious Boston Latin School, but only Thomas and one sister were able to graduate. Finneran's mother, Mary, credits Tom's success at Boston Latin School to his keen understanding of the "necessity of homework. He always did what he was supposed to do."

Speaker Finneran was often compared to a ferocious and determined bulldog. That comparison is completely understandable given the fact that Finneran, at five feet, seven inches and about 150 pounds, dared to take on the physically demanding center position on the Boston Latin football team. Similar to a courageous, yet ferocious bulldog, Finneran often ended up facing larger and stronger competitors with no sign of fear or intimidation.

Near the end of his high school career, Finneran began thinking about college, and he decided that Northeastern University best suited his work ethic. Finneran earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and finance in 1973 and proceeded to Boston College's School of Law. Ironically, Finneran entered politics almost by accident. In his last semester at BC Law, Finneran felt the pressure to launch a career, due to the fact that he was married and the father to a baby girl. During that time in his life, several of his neighbors and friends urged him to run for the state representative's seat, which his friend Brian Donnelly left vacant due to his departure to Congress.

At the ripe age of 28, Finneran took the oath of office as the Democratic State representative for the 12th Suffolk Country district, which includes sections of Dorchester, Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Milton. Later in the early 1980s, Finneran borrowed money in order to open the law firm of Finneran, Byrne, Drechester & O'Brien in Dorchester. Finneran practiced law full-time and his firm's clients included companies from crucial industries such as insurance, banks, and liquor. From 1985 to 1990, Finneran served as chairman of the House Committee on Banks and Banking. At that time, banks were among his personal legal clients. Finneran then took the big step of becoming the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

His Ward Fellow this summer is Alexandra Allukian.