Elected officials remember former state Rep. Ben Swan

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno (right) chats with Ben Swan during the dedication of the new Deberry-Swan School.
Republican file photo

SPRINGFIELD — Upon news of the death of retired state Rep. Benjamin Swan on May 25, condolences poured in from elected officials from every level of government.

They shared their memories of Swan as a mentor, leader and civil rights advocate.

The 92-year-old Swan built a legacy in his adopted home of Springfield. He had attended Howard University, a historically Black institution of higher education in Washington, D.C. He went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1977.

Swan unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Springfield in 1991 against incumbent Mary Hurley and in 1992 against Robert “Bob” Markel. He then ran and won election to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1994, serving the 12th Hampden District, before holding the 11th Hampden district seat from 2009 to 2016.

Over his time in the state House of Representatives, the nine-term representative filed legislation that ranged from reconnecting incarcerated persons with their families, to protecting women’s reproductive health to fueling job creation through energy efficiency programs.

Generations of local, state and federal officials looked up to Swan. City Council President Tracye Whitfield said she sought Swan’s counsel when she considered running for City Council. “For decades, Representative Swan embodied what it meant to serve the community first,” Whitfield said in a statement. She described his as “a remarkable life defined by public service, leadership, mentorship and unwavering dedication to the people of Springfield.” Whitfield added, “To live for 92 years is a blessing. To spend those years in service to others is a legacy.”

“Throughout his career, he remained a steadfast voice for equity, criminal justice reform, educational opportunity and for those whose voices too often went unheard,” said State Sen. Adam Gómez in a statement. He called Swan “a giant,” for his life of leadership and service. “For generations of leaders in Springfield and across Western Massachusetts, Representative Swan helped light the path forward. His work strengthened our city and challenged all of us to build a more just and equitable community. Springfield is better because Ben Swan called it home. His example of service, courage, and conviction will continue to inspire future generations.”

Mayor Domenic Sarno released a statement that read, “How ironic that this Korean War veteran passed away on Memorial Day. Ben was a well-respected leader by all, a quiet warrior who never looked for any accolades for himself. He worked very hard to provide for his district and our city of Springfield.”

While Swan may not have sought accolades, many were bestowed upon him, including the 2022 dedication of “Ben Swan Way” in Springfield’s Mason Square neighborhood.

In a statement, State Rep. Orlando Ramos remembered Swan’s activist work — marching along with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and serving as the president of the Springfield chapter of the NAACP, a post Swan’s nephew, Bishop Talbert Swan, now holds. “His lifetime of activism proved that systemic change is possible when fought for with integrity and persistence,” Ramos wrote, adding, “We owe him an immeasurable debt of gratitude. As we mourn his loss, let us commit ourselves to honoring his legacy by standing tall for justice, and ensuring that his lifelong fight for equity continues.”

Sarno wrote, “Many a times the word ‘icon’ is used for he or she, whether worthy or not; in Ben’s case he was a Civil Rights icon, who not only fought for civil rights locally, marching in the streets of Springfield, but also nationally, marching with the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” He said that naming the DeBerry/Swan School after the retired representative was a “no brainer.”

“Ben Swan was the father of Civil Rights in Springfield and Massachusetts, but I would make the case it could have been throughout the country. Remember, he marched with Dr. [Martin Luther] King, He was on the Pettus Bridge,” said State Rep. Bud Williams, referring to the bridge in Slema, Alabama, where King, John Lewis and several other notable figures in the Civil Rights movement were beaten by the Alabama Highway Patrol. “Ben fought the system. He fought the system for those who could not fight the system for themselves. He was a voice for the voiceless.” Williams said, “To succeed him on Beacon Hill is just such an honor… those are big shoes. I could never fill those shoes.”

Aside from his work as an activist or on Beacon Hill, Swan’s legacy includes deep friendships with people throughout Western Massachusetts. U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, who has represented the region in Washington for nearly four decades and was Springfield’s mayor before that, shared, “While we had the pleasure of serving our community in different capacities for many years, I first met Ben while delivering his newspaper as a delivery boy for the Springfield Union News.”

Neal continued, “Over the years, I thoroughly enjoyed our frequent visits, both in Springfield and in Washington, D.C., I could always count on him for his thoughtful perspective, never allowing any bitterness or cynicism to define the moment. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and all those who were touched by Ben’s lifetime of service.”

Sarno described Swan as “my dear friend” and “a true gentleman and a man of his word. I always appreciated his and his family’s friendship and support over the years.” He ended his statement by saying, “May God rest your soul, Ben, for a job well done.”