About Bruce Tarr
About
Bruce Tarr
For more than 30 years, Bruce Tarr has been a trusted voice for Massachusetts families. Serving in the State Senate since 1994, he proudly represents the 19 communities of the First Essex and Middlesex District, and he currently serves as Senate Minority Leader.
Bruce’s priorities include building coalitions across party lines to strengthen education, protecting elders, promoting economic opportunity, and growing safe, prosperous communities. His record includes shaping important public safety laws, championing renewable energy and medical research, and standing firm for the state’s fishing industry.
Yet for Bruce, the most important part of public service is helping his constituents one-on-one. From answering calls about everyday challenges to navigating complex government systems, Bruce remains committed to delivering results for the citizens of the Commonwealth.
A Gloucester native, Bruce graduated from Gloucester High School, earned a degree in Business Administration from Suffolk University, and received his Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School. He also holds an honorary degree in Applied Science from Essex Agricultural and Technical Institute.
Senator Tarr in our Communities
Senator Tarr
in our Communities
Senator Tarr is proud to be a member of several local, state, and federal advocacy groups that conduct important work to promote public safety, economic prosperity, and ensure the protection of our environment.
A member of a variety of committees and organizations:
- Major, Civil Air Patrol, US Air Force Auxiliary
- United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (1996-present)
- Gloucester Rotary Club
- Northeast Seafood Coalition Board of Directors, Ex Officio, 2002 to present)
- North Shore Water Resiliency Task Force
- Great Marsh Revitalization Task Force (Co-Chair) – Dedicated to the restoration, protection, and strengthening of the Great Marsh, which extends from Cape Ann to the New Hampshire Border
- Northeast Coastal Coalition (Chair) – Mission to promote the resilience and sustainability of coastal communities from Cape Ann to Salisbury, and includes members that are municipal officials, state and federal legislators, state and federal regulators, citizens, and non-governmental organizations
- Merrimack River Beach Alliance (Co-Chair, 2008 to present)
- Hellenic Bar Association (Board Member, 1997-present)
- Cape Ann Savings Bank-Corporator (1994-present)
- Friends of the Gloucester Council on Aging (1993-present)
- Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association (Member)
- Gloucester Adventure, Incorporated, Ex Officio (Board of Directors, 1991-present)
- Rowley Grange (Member)
Senator Tarr has been named Legislator of the Year and Decade
by the following organizations:
by the following organizations:
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Regional Legislator of the Decade 2025
- Dog People, 2016
- New England Police Benevolent (NEPBA Executive Committee and NEPBA Massachusetts Legislative Committee), 2016
- American Bluefin Tuna Association, 2015
- Cape Ann TV, 2015
Children’s League of Massachusetts, 2011 - Massachusetts Systems Contractors Association, 2006
- The Massachusetts Silver Hair Legislature, 2004
- Cape Cod Cranberry Grower’s Association, 2002
- Essex County Bar Association, 2002
- Massachusetts Association of Business and Professional Women, 1998
- Massachusetts Boating and Yacht Club Association, 1998
- Massachusetts Municipal Association, 1996
- Massachusetts Bar Association, 1994
Senator Tarr has been named Legislator of the Year and Decade by the following organizations:
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Regional Legislator of the Decade 2025
- Dog People, 2016
- New England Police Benevolent (NEPBA Executive Committee and NEPBA Massachusetts Legislative Committee), 2016
- American Bluefin Tuna Association, 2015
- Cape Ann TV, 2015
Children’s League of Massachusetts, 2011 - Massachusetts Systems Contractors Association, 2006
- The Massachusetts Silver Hair Legislature, 2004
- Cape Cod Cranberry Grower’s Association, 2002
- Essex County Bar Association, 2002
- Massachusetts Association of Business and Professional Women, 1998
- Massachusetts Boating and Yacht Club Association, 1998
- Massachusetts Municipal Association, 1996
- Massachusetts Bar Association, 1994
He has received the following awards and recognitions:
- Greater Cape Ann Community Collaborative, Recognition and Gratitude During Covid 19 Pandemic, 2022
- SeniorCare Inc., Rosemary F. Kerry Community Service Award, 2021
- Massachusetts Association for Community Action, Community Action Champion, 2020
- American Red Cross, American Red Cross Award, 2019
- Beacon of Justice, Beacon of Justice Hall of Fame, 2019
- Common Cause Massachusetts, Legislative Achievement Award, 2019
- Police Assisted Addiction Recovery Initiative, PAARI Leadership Award, 2019
- United States Marine Corp Reserves Toys for Tots, Toys for Tots Certificate of Appreciation, 2019
- YMCA Legislative Champion Award, 2018
- Action, Inc. Safe Harbor Celebration, Service and Commitment Award, 2018
- The Massachusetts Association of Italian American Police Officers, Inc., Designated Grand Knight of The Order of Saint Michael the Archangel, 2018
- Town of Boxford, Outstanding Legislative Leadership (Energy), 2017
- The Valley Patriot 1st Amendment Award, 2017
- Children’s Trust, Valuing Our Children Award, 2016
- Department of Transitional Assistance, Self-Sufficiency Champion, 2016
- Police Assisted Addiction Recovery Initiative, PAARI Leadership Award, 2016
- MA School of Law, Humanitarian Award, 2016
- Massachusetts Senior Care Association, The Better Life Award, 2016
- Blaire House of Tewksbury, Outstanding Service Award, 2016
- 21st Annual Greek Independence Day Parade, Exceptional Accomplishments, 2015
- Northeast Clean Energy Council, Clean Energy Champion, 2015
- The 2015 Massachusetts PACE, Legislative Champion Award, 2015
- Bridgewater State University MPA Public Service Award, 2011
- Action Inc., Public Service Advocacy Award, 2009
- Plum Island Foundation Distinguished Leadership Award, 2009
- Mass Audubon Legislative Leadership Award, 2008
- Haverhill Community Television Rookie Producer of the Year, 2006
- Howe-Manning Student Council, Outstanding Leadership Award, 2006
- Massachusetts Fishermen’s Partnership Wheelhouse Award, 2006
- North Of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau Leadership Award, 2006
- Consorzio Folaris Award, 2006
- The Open Door, Cape Ann Food Pantry Certificate of Appreciation, 2006
- Past President Award – Massachusetts Legislators Association, 2006
- Buzzards Bay Guardian Award, 2005
- Gloucester Bar Association, Certificate of Recognition, 2004
- Equal Justice Coalition, Gratitude for Leadership in Support of Civil Legal Service, 2004
- Essex National Heritage Commission Certificate of Recognition, 2004
- Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, Environmental Leadership Award, 2003
- Neighborhood Legal Services, Merrimack Valley Legal Services and Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts, Pillar of Justice Award, 2003
- Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council “Sportsman Senator Award”, 2002
- Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association, Legislative Leadership Award, 2002
- Division of Marine Fisheries Belding Award, 2001
- Massachusetts Agriculture Day Award, 2001
- The Hubbart Youth Bowling Program, Certificate of Appreciation, 2000-2001
- Massachusetts Legislators Association, Distinguished Service Award, 2000
- Gloucester Lodge of Elks, Distinguished Citizen Award, 2000
- Community Action Appreciation Award- Action, Inc., 2000
- Yankee Clipper Council of the Boy Scouts of America Outstanding Citizen Award, 2000
- Elks Distinguished Citizen Award, 1999
- Workforce Partnership Award, 1998
- SeniorCare Inc., Outstanding Public Service to Elders, 1996
- AMVETS Pilgrim Award, 1996
- North Shore Technical High School, Senior Class Appreciation, 1996
- Friends of the Gloucester Council on Aging Legislative Service Award, 1995
- Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE), Continued Legislative Support, 1995
- Greater Lawrence Educational Collaborative, Recognition of Your Commitment to Public Education, 1994
- Massachusetts Beach Buggy Association’s Legislative Service Award, 1994
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