John W. McCormack School (Middle)
315 Mt. Vernon Street, Dorchester
Built 1967
John W. McCormack (1891- ), a native of Boston, has had a long distinguished career as a legislator in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate. As a lawyer, he made important contributions to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1917 and 1918, which modernized the oldest state constitution in the country. He also served in the U.S. Army during World War I. He was elected to the national Congress from the South Boston district in 1928 and re-elected to each session until he chose to retire in 1971. His leadership in Congress was important in drafting the New Deal Reforms of the Roosevelt administration. From 1962 until his retirement, he was Speaker of the House of Representatives, which is considered the second most powerful position in the national governent.
Source:
What’s In a Name? Names of Boston’s Schools: Their Origin. Boston: School Volunteers for Boston and the Boston Public Schools, 1980.