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Recently, I joined Senator Barry Finegold at his first
annual presentation of the Sue Tucker Award for Community Service.
My friend and colleague Sue Tucker – who served in the House
and Senate for 20+ years – embodied public service. She was a trailblazing,
highly effective and persuasive voice on behalf of the voiceless, especially
children and seniors.
This award is intended to shine a light on an organization
or individuals whose commitment to the community reminds us of Sue’s limitless
capacity for doing good.
Congratulations to Mary Beth Ellis, Eric Olson and Sidney’s
Rainbows for their tremendous impact in the Town of Andover!
Mary Beth Ellis and Eric Olson started Sidney’s Rainbow as a
way to honor their daughter Sidney by advocating for safe streets and to
encourage outdoor activity for kids. They have become effective advocates for
policy including changes to streets design, Andover’s adoption of Vision Zero,
and successful launch of its Complete Streets program. They also create awareness and opportunity
for kids to be together safely with family and friends through programming at
the farmer’s market and the upcoming Sidney’s Rainbow Run.
Learn more here: https://www.therainbow.fund
TARR IN THE NEWS | 11.11.24
Excerpt from the Daily News of Newburyport Article by Matt
Petry:
State Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, was
also in attendance and spoke about how during these divisive times in America,
celebrating veterans is a good way of bringing folks together.
“When we stand here, and those colors of the flag are raised
and that anthem is sung, we’re reminded of something deep within our DNA that
unites us as Americans,” Tarr said.
To read the full article, visit:
https://www.newburyportnews.com/.../article_9b1ddcc0-a068...
📸: Keith Sullivan
Veterans Day 2024
It is an incredible honor to reflect on and pay tribute to
the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform.
I was proud to participate in Veterans Day services across
our community, including in Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Newburyport,
Salisbury, and Wenham. This day serves as a reminder that our nation’s strength
comes from the countless veterans who have stood ready to defend it, and to all
those who continue to serve.
On this Veterans Day, we not only honor those who have
served but also express our deep gratitude for the families who support them. I
am especially thankful for the organizations, volunteers, and local officials
who help organize these important ceremonies, ensuring that we never forget the
sacrifices made on our behalf.
Today, we pause to recognize their courage, sacrifice, and
dedication to protecting the freedoms we hold dear.
Honoring Veterans Today and Every Day
Today, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who have
served in our nation’s armed forces. Their sacrifices and commitment to
safeguarding our freedoms remind us of the true cost of liberty and the courage
it requires.
This Veterans Day, let us not only thank them, but also
commit to supporting veterans and their families in every way possible.
To our veterans: we are forever grateful for your service
and dedication. May we strive to honor your legacy by upholding the values you
fought to protect.
Honored to have sponsored the Annual Ipswich Veterans
Breakfast, along with Brad Hill and the Veterans Service Office, last week in
celebration of Veterans Day at the First Church of Ipswich.
. I was honored to be the Keynote Speaker at the recent New
England Water Works Association (NEWWA) Symposium held at the Devens Common
Center.
To a full auditorium of water utility managers, planners,
public works managers, consulting and regulatory professionals, and watershed
association representatives, I was able to present "Building Water
Resilience: A Collaborative Blueprint for the Future": which focused on
the work being done by the North Shore Water Resiliency Task Force,
specifically the evolution of the group, the varying viewpoints shared, how we
coalesced the communities and my fellow colleagues to support this effort, and
funding I have secured for the on-going evaluations.
Recently, William Currier, our Legislative Aide of
Sustainability attended the Agriculture Committee and Coastal Caucus’ Oyster
Farm Tour & Roundtable.
My colleagues Chair Schmid and Chair Comerford hosted with a
visit to one of the many oyster farms that have been affected by combined sewer
overflow (CSO) closures this year.
Recently I was honored to deliver remarks to the graduating
class at the Compass Youth Program Graduation held at the Shalin Liu
Performance Center in Rockport.
Congratulations to the graduates for all of their hard work
leading up to this moment and best wishes for success in your future endeavors!
To learn more about Action Inc.’s Compass Youth Program,
visit: https://actioninc.org/education/compass-youth-program/
Recently, joined my colleagues Senator Barry Finegold and MA
State Rep. Tram T. Nguyen and Dr. Kirk Taylor, President and CEO of MLSC and
her team at the Grand Opening of the Life Sciences Instrumentation Lab in
Palmisano Hall at Merrimack College in North Andover.
I was honored to share words of encouragement during the
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony as they continue their journey toward becoming a
leading anchor research institution.
The Life Sciences Instrumentation Lab was established
through a generous $750,000 grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
(MLSC) Workforce Development Capital Program. This funding has enabled
Merrimack College to acquire state-of-the-art life sciences equipment,
significantly enhancing our ability to prepare students for high-demand careers
and to strengthen training programs that address critical skill and talent gaps
in the state's life sciences industry.
When You Help, Hope Will Follow
Recently shared remarks at The Open Door’s Annual Autumn
Breakfast held at the Beauport Hotel in Gloucester.
The Autumn Breakfast kicks off the giving season for The
Open Door Holiday Basket program, which helps keep local people fed through the
holidays and beyond. Holiday Baskets provide households with all the
ingredients needed to make a special meal at home for Thanksgiving and the
December Holidays.
The event also honors outstanding volunteers and celebrates
community.
Our Constituent Services Legislative Liaison Kristin
McDonald recently attended the Our Neighbors Table’s Annual Breakfast at the
Blue Ocean Music Hall.
Donors, sponsors, volunteers, local leaders, partners and
supporters from across the region joined together because “together, we’ll make
every table full.”
Congratulations to The Dolan-McDonald Family and SPS New
England for being the 2024 Community Champion Award winners!
Recently had the opportunity to speak to attendees at the
Chebacco Lake & Watershed Association’s Fall Forum at the American Legion
in Manchester. Everyone gathered to continue important discussions of lake
health and restoration.
For more information on the CLWA’s efforts, visit:
https://chebaccolake.org/.../CLWA-Sep2024-20240918v2-0.pdf
Officially presented the check for a local earmark I secured
in the FY25 Budget: $10,000 for the City of Gloucester, MA to be used for
Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs).
I was joined by my colleague Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante,
Mayor Greg Verga, City of Gloucester, members of City Council, Chief Eric Smith
and other local officials.
Last night, I joined my colleague Sally Kerans for State
Representative for a situational progress update on the containment elements of
the wildfire at the Town of Middleton Wildfire Field Command center.
Thank you to everyone involved, including Middleton Fire
Department Chief LeColst, Massachusetts Deputy Chief Fire Warden of Forest Fire
Control Andy Regan, the North Shore Mutual Aid Fire Departments, and to the
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for their collaborative efforts with
a mutual aid response.
November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month - a time to
bring attention to one of the most challenging cancers affecting families
across our nation.
As we turn the month purple, we honor patients, survivors,
and the memories of those we have lost.
Join me in raising awareness, sharing this post, and
supporting the dedicated work towards a cure.
Let’s continue to fight for a future where no one faces
pancreatic cancer alone. 💜
I was proud to once again sponsor our annual Seafood Day at
the State House bringing together nearly 18 fishing organizations from across
the Commonwealth to celebrate the vital contributions of the seafood industry.
The event, co-hosted by the Massachusetts Fishermen’s
Partnership, Massachusetts Seafood Collaborative, and Fishing Partnership
Support Services, highlighted the industry's critical role in our state's
economy, food security, job creation, tourism, and the preservation of a
multigenerational way of life in coastal communities.
Legislators and their staff had the opportunity to sample
locally prepared seafood and learn why continued investment in this industry is
so important.
Great time had by all at the Harborlight Homes’ Annual
Journey Home 2024 Event!
Harborlight Homes (HH) is a non-profit,
Massachusetts-certified Community Development Corporation. By focusing on the
housing needs of underserved populations and creating, preserving and
operating, safe, affordable housing with supplemental supportive services, HH
strives to make homes available to all, because everyone deserves a home.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – a time to stand
together in support of survivors, honor the memories of those we've lost, and
raise awareness about the importance of early detection and research in the
fight against this disease.
Breast cancer affects far too many lives, but through
education, support, and continued advancements in medical research, we can make
a difference. Let’s take this month to encourage regular screenings and ensure
that everyone has access to the care and resources they need.
Together, we can help save lives and move closer to a cure.
Today is #PurpleThursday.
On this national day of action to raise awareness about
#domesticviolence let us show support by wearing purple which symbolizes peace,
courage, survival, honor, and dedication to ending domestic violence.
For information, services, and help for yourself or someone
you care about:
Safelink: 1-877-785-2020 is a 24-hour, free, and
confidential multi-lingual domestic violence hotline in Massachusetts.
For the first time in its history the Massachusetts Food
System Caucus (FSC) convened at the
iconic Topsfield Fair to engage with agricultural and fishing industry
stakeholders learning about their experiences in the industry, the challenges
they face, food security infrastructure grants and ways to further support
their efforts.
As Senate Co-Chair of the FSC, I joined my fellow FSC House
Co-Chair and Chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture Representative Paul
Schmid and Co-Chair Representative Andy X. Vargas, my Topsfield State
Legislative Delegation, Kristin Kassner State Representative 2nd Essex District
and Sally Kerans for State Representative, and my FSC member colleagues from
the Senate and House, in listening to the guest speakers share their needs to
continue to keep the farming and fishing industries thriving for generations to
come.
Tarr in the News | 10.11.24
Ipswich honors combat veterans with designation as “Purple
Heart Town”
“We are both extremely honored to be here tonight for this
incredibly important act on the part of this board,” Tarr said.
He celebrated Purple Heart recipients who have “made
incredible sacrifices so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have in our
lives,” and thanked Bohn for his efforts to ensure that “the promises we make
to our veterans are kept, in terms of the benefits they are eligible to
receive.”
G'mar Chatimah Tovah!
Wishing all of my Jewish friends, constituents, and the
community an easy fast tonight as you observe Yom Kippur.
Tarr In the News | 10.11.24
Yesterday, I attended the Ceremonial Bill Signing by
Governor Healey of H.4919, An Act to increase kennel safety, aka "Ollie's
Law."
Ollie was a 7-month-old Labradoodle puppy who sadly lost his
life at a daycare facility that has since been shut down. Ollie’s owner, Amy
Baxter, said she was devastated when she got a call that her puppy had been
injured in a dog fight at the private boarding facility. Ollie underwent
surgery and was in the hospital for two months before he died she said.
This bipartisan legislation will ensure our furry friends
are protected and I am grateful to my fellow legislators, the animal advocates,
and to Amy and her daughter for their tireless dedication to getting this bill
signed into law.
Tarr In the News | 10.10.24
A tentative timeline and price tag were attached to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s proposed artificial reef project during Tuesday’s presentation from MIT Sea Grant Director Michael Trian
