I am looking forward to hosting today's State House celebration of Greek Independence Day. All are welcome to attend. The Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of New England and I look forward to seeing you at Gardner Auditorium at the State House from 1 PM to 2:30.
Thank you to everyone who made the 13th Annual YWCA Greater Newburyport possible! The annual luncheon held at the RiverWalk Brewing Company was lively. Those in attendance learned about new developments at the YWCA and their important work in the community. YWCA Greater Newburyport is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. This fundraising event helps them with their work in addressing injustices within the community through safe, affordable and supportive child care and youth development, housing and wellness opportunities.
Learn more here: www.ywcanewburyport.org
BOSTON – State Senator Bruce Tarr was honored at a recent State House event with the “Agriculture Day Award” from the Massachusetts Agriculture Promotion Board as part of the annual Agriculture Day. The award recognizes Senator Tarr’s long involvement in promoting locally grown and harvested foods and his steadfast support in championing local farmers and those involved in the fisheries. Agriculture generates nearly $500 million for the state economy annually.
“The hardworking people who make Ag Day possible by working in the fields, farms, and waters are responsible for adding value to our lives and I am honored to work with and be recognized, by them,” said Senator Tarr (R-Gloucester). “Promoting locally grown and harvested foods means that consumers and producers come together in the best possible way and seeing so many young people and students come to the State House for this special day gives me great hope that those traditions will continue for years to come.”
State officials, legislators, farmers, and students from Future Farmers of America, a career and technical student organization, and 4-H, a network of youth organizations whose mission is engaging youth to reach their fullest potential, gathered at the State House as part of a collaborative effort between the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, agricultural commodity groups, commodity groups, and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). Tarr has been a stalwart supporter of the state’s Regional Buy Local Promotional Grant Program, sustainable aquaculture development, and the Farmers' Market Program. In addition, he has authored legislation to stimulate research and development, innovation, and energy efficiencies to support and strengthen fishing and farming in Massachusetts.
“We lead the nation in innovation for the harvesting and processing of seafood products and our contributions to the country’s agricultural heritage are renowned; it’s vital that we support these industries, which go all the way back to our colonial history,” said Tarr. “Farmers and fishermen work hard, we should support them by connecting them with information and resources to help them prosper and grow.”
Among his successes, Senator Tarr facilitated the creation, growth, and advancement of the Massachusetts Seafood Collaborative, a coalition of harvesters, processors, and wholesalers with a focus on collaboration among industry stakeholders to deliver underutilized seafood products to a wider range of local consumers, and institutions such as schools and food pantries. In response to the growing food insecurity problems associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, he also helped shape the creation and funding of the state’s Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program. This initiative helps ensure that individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth have access to food, with a focus on food that is produced locally. The program also seeks to ensure that farmers, fishermen, and other local food producers are better connected to a strong, resilient food system to help mitigate future food supply and distribution disruption.
Total landings from commercial fishermen in 2022 were valued at $557 million with the commercial fishing industry supporting an estimated 83,000 jobs in the state/ Massachusetts has more than 7,200 farms on nearly a half-million acres of farmland and open space while employing 28,000 workers. The Massachusetts Agriculture Promotion Board is a state-affiliated commodity group that promotes the growth and development of the agricultural industry in Massachusetts. MDAR’s mission is to ensure the long-term viability of agriculture in Massachusetts and to support, regulate, and promote the Commonwealth’s agricultural future.
I was glad to be invited to be the guest speaker at the North Shore Chamber of Commerce, Inc.'s Board of Directors meeting today at the Chamber’s new office location at 500 Cummings Center in Beverly, Massachusetts.
#NorthShoreChamberOfCommerce
Such an honor to help celebrate a special birthday with Gordon MacDougal - he is the oldest male in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts. Here he is with a Senate Citation I presented him with and his Boston Post cane. Such a delight.
I enjoyed speaking today at the New England Aquarium Right Whale Day event. Keeping an active dialog on the challenges facing these endangered animals brings us closer to protecting them. The passage of an Act Establishing Massachusetts Right Whale Day was one effort to raise awareness about the North Atlantic Right Whales.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
Each year, I host Boy Scouts from all over Massachusetts when they come to the State House to release their annual report of their activities and progress. I was honored to have them again in the Senate Chamber during one of our sessions. I read a proclamation issued by Governor Maura Healey to the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and Explorers who were invited to attend.
The Senate welcomed them with applause and the Scouts, along with various troop leaders and parents in the Senate Gallery led us in reciting the National Anthem and Scout Oath. With more than 23,00 members, encompassing 900 packs, troops, and teams, 232,00 hours of community service were performed across the state with a value of nearly $3.5 million dollars. I know you will join me in thanking them for their good deeds.
With: Cape Cod & Islands Council Boy Scouts of America, Heart of New England Council, BSA, Mayflower Council, Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America, Spirit of Adventure Council, BSA, Western Massachusetts Council, BSA
Coolidge Hall at the Topsfield Fair Fairgrounds was a buzz for the Centennial celebration of the Essex County Beekeepers Association. I was happy to offer a Senate Resolution to help acknowledge the 100 years of education, service, and community support the members of the association have given us all.
On April 15, 2013, two bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon finish line, killing Krystle Marie Campbell, Lü Lingzi, and 8-year-old Martin William Richard, and injuring many others. The attack was both a horrific act of violence and a tragedy that ultimately brought people together. The bombings and the subsequent attacks and violence sparked an outpouring of support for the victims and their families from across the state and nation.
We were all Boston Strong and today we still show the power of hope and strength that is needed to stand up to terrorism and violence. Ten years later, we honor the victims of the bombings, the lives of Officer Sean Collier and Sergeant Dennis Simmonds, and the heroes who responded. Our beloved Boston Marathon brings out the best in those who take to the starting line, cheer on the runners, or take pride in this historic Massachusetts tradition - we are all Boston Strong.
.jpg)
Special thanks to the 10 Elm Foundation for advancing this wonderful center. I so enjoyed helping to celebrate all the hard work that has gone into getting to this special day at the Boxford Ma Council on Aging.
As part of the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Gloucester’s founding Hammond Castle Museum has curated a special exhibit of the work of acclaimed artist Eric Pape. Yesterday, I helped present to the City of Gloucester, Massachusetts a painting of Stage Fort Park made by Pape 100 years ago. Eric Pape, (1870-1938), was a Cape Ann resident and the designer of the “Tablet Rock Memorial” in Stage Fort Park in Gloucester.
Come and see "Eric Pape at Hammond Castle Museum", the exhibit will run to Sunday, April 30th, and will welcome guests from 10 AM to 3 PM daily with the exhibit closing at 4 PM. On weekdays, exhibit tickets for adults are $10 and on Saturdays and Sundays, tickets are $20 as guests may also enjoy self-guided tours of the museum. Children age 12 and under are welcome for free but require a ticket.
With Mayor Greg Verga, City of Gloucester, Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, Representative Jerry Parisella
This afternoon I visited North Reading High School in North Reading, Massachusetts to meet with students to discuss civic engagement and in particular legislation to provide free school nutrition for all students. Such a plan would make Massachusetts only the fifth state in the country to adopt such a plan.
Gloucester area residents came together last night for the annual Take Back the Night event. The event included a resource fair and art installation honoring the experiences and resilience of sexual abuse survivors, community leaders, and survivors of sexual assault. The Gloucester Coalition for the Prevention of Domestic Abuse event was part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is observed every April. The goal of the event is to raise awareness of sexual assault and to show support for survivors.
I am grateful for the invitation from Mayor Greg Verga, on behalf of the Gloucester Coalition for the Prevention of Domestic Abuse. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, please reach out for help. There are resources available, including the National Sexual Assault Hotline- 1-800-656-4673.
