Byron Rushing was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1982. He represents the South End, the Fenway, and Lower Roxbury neighborhoods of Boston. He came to the House from a background of community organization and of Afro-American history. From 1972 to 1985, he was President of the Museum of Afro-American History. Under his direction, the Museum of Afro-American History purchased and began the restoration of the African Meeting House, the oldest extant black church building in the United States. In the Legislature, Rushing's priorities are human and civil rights and liberties; local human, economic and housing development; environmental justice and health care for all. He serves in his office with an understanding of the history of poor and working class people and with a belief in democratic citizen control.

Representative Rushing was an original sponsor of the gay rights bill and the chief sponsor of the law to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in public schools. He is a spokesman against the restoration of the death penalty in Massachusetts and for a moratorium on executions in the nation. He leads the effort for size acceptance and anti-discrimination on the basis of height and weight. He led the Commonwealth's anti-apartheid efforts and is the chief sponsor of the Massachusetts Burma law. He was the chief sponsor of the health reform law ending pre-existing condition refusals by insurance companies. He is a chief sponsor of legislation for needle exchange programs and over-the-counter sale of sterile needles. He supports the freedom of religious worship and practices.

Representative Rushing works for and with community-based organizations--for greater political participation and against neighborhood debilitation.

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Last updated April 16, 2002