🏳️🌈 Honored to
have participated in the Pride Flag Raising ceremonies today in the Town of
Essex, the City of Gloucester, MA, and the City of Newburyport 🏳️🌈
Cape Ann Pride Coalition
Newburyport Pride
🏳️🌈 Honored to
have participated in the Pride Flag Raising ceremonies today in the Town of
Essex, the City of Gloucester, MA, and the City of Newburyport 🏳️🌈
Cape Ann Pride Coalition
Newburyport Pride
Honored to have nominated Cheryl Forster Cahill of the Town
of Rowley as a Commonwealth Heroine Class of 2024!
Please join us in celebrating her and the Class of 2024 on
Friday, 6/14 at the State House.
Great visit with the North Andover Kittredge Elementary
School students at the State House yesterday!
Memorial Day 2024
I was truly honored to be able to share remarks at Memorial
Day Services held throughout our community, including: Wenham, Gloucester,
Salisbury, Newburyport, and Rowley.
Memorial Day was established so we would all remember those
who died in service to our country. Cities and towns across our state and
country remember these heroes with plaques, parades, and solemn occasions.
As a community, it is important that we give ourselves an
opportunity to grieve, remember, and give thanks to those who died while
serving us in uniform.
Today I am also grateful to all of the organizations,
volunteers, and officials who do the work to plan and carry out these
meaningful, impactful ceremonies.
May we never forget those who sacrificed it all for our
freedoms.
Town of Wenham, Massachusetts
City of Gloucester, MA
City of Newburyport
Town of Salisbury
Town of Rowley
“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service
of our country can never be repaid. They
have earned our undying gratitude.
America will never forget their sacrifices.” – President Harry S. Truman
This Memorial Day let us thank our veterans for their
service and honor those who have passed.
I hope that you have a chance to attend a parade or ceremony in honor of
the memories of those who lost their lives fighting for liberty and freedom for
each of our nation's citizens.
With Memorial Day approaching, the Massachusetts Senate took
a major step toward supporting veteran mental health on Thursday with the
adoption of State Senator Ryan Fattman's Amendment #1014: Veteran Mental Health
Pilot Program.
This amendment creates a pilot program for service members
to access mental health services and care through a telehealth platform that
features ease of access and confidentiality.
I was proud to co-sponsor this amendment, which was passed
unanimously by the Senate, and represents another chapter in Massachusetts'
long history of leadership and innovation on behalf of those who serve our
nation in the armed forces.
Thank you to the Ipswich High School Republicans Club for
their civic engagement and dedication to our community by recently hosting a
Food Drive at the Town of Ipswich MA 's Town Meeting on Tuesday night.
Small businesses are the backbones of our community.
As #NationalSmallBusinessWeek came to a close last week, I
had the honor of speaking with many local small business owners and advocates
sharing opening remarks at Small Business Day at Beacon Hill, an event
co-hosted by NFIB, the Retailers Association of Massachusetts (RAM), and the
Massachusetts Restaurant Association (MRA) in the State House.
Monday evening I had the honor of presenting Grace McIntyre,
an Advanced Placement (AP) teacher at Haverhill High School and a resident of
Groveland, the Partners in Excellence Award at the Selectboard Meeting in the
Town of Groveland, MA
She was recognized for exemplary contributions to student
success during the 2022-2023 academic year and I also was able to present her
with an official Senate citation in honor of her achievements.
The awardees were selected from over 600 AP teachers
participating in Mass Insight’s AP STEM & English program. Selections were
based on their performance as measured by achieving the goals of our program—to
increase student participation in AP classes and to increase the number of
students receiving a qualifying score of three or higher on the rigorous AP
exam—and their significant participation in the professional development and
student support services offered by Mass Insight.
Recently sat down with Boston 25 News Ted Daniel,
Investigative Reporter, to discuss a breaking news investigative report RE: the
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care’s (EEC) use of
discretionary background checks on providers with criminal records.
https://www.boston25news.com/.../733BLXBVGJED7NU3ZRSJJA7XZE/
May is National Military Appreciation Month
Let us honor and recognize the contributions and sacrifices
of the men and women who have served and are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Thank you to Governor Maura Healey for visiting the City of
Newburyport recently at the YWCA of Greater Newburyport's 14th Annual Engaging
Communities Luncheon.
NATIONAL MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION DAY
On National Military Spouse Appreciation Day let us
recognize the significant contributions, support, and sacrifices of the spouses
of the Armed Forces.
Young leaders and adults from across Massachusetts
celebrated Kick Butts Day 2024
Youth Day of Action at the Massachusetts State House in
April.
The teens from The 84 Movement educated legislators about
the influence of the tobacco and vaping industries in their communities and
about what they care most about, emphasizing racial justice and mental health
issues.
Shout out to local students in our district who are members
of the Tri-Town Council youth at Masconomet Regional High School for their
engagement in advocacy!
(pictured from left to right: Helen Ray, Leo Peiken, Neva
Partal, Belle Dicarlo and Dawn Seymour, advisor)
Last week, MaryAnn Nay, our Senior District Director,
attended AgeSpan’s “50 Years of Inspiring Aging: Celebrating the Power, Value,
and Voices of Older Adults” luncheon at the Blue Ocean Music Hall in the Town
of Salisbury.
During this event, AgeSpan introduced their “50 over 60
List,” showcasing older adults whose remarkable lives serve as daily
inspiration to others. Maryann was able to share in the celebration by
recognizing our local constiuents honored on this list.
In her recent column, CEO Joan Hatem-Roy reflects on the
impact these individuals have had on the Merrimack Valley and North Shore
communities, the significance of #OlderAmericansMonth, and this year’s theme of
“Powered by Connection.”
Last week, I had the pleasure of providing a legislative
update on state affairs at the Spring 2024 Greater Cape Ann Caucus held at The
Residence at Riverbend - Ipswich, MA,
The Greater Cape Ann Caucus is a twice-yearly meeting
coordinated by the Government Affairs Council of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber
of Commerce. The Caucus convenes Council members, greater Cape Ann’s
legislative delegation, local officials, and school leaders to share
information and engage in dialogue on key issues of regional and statewide
importance. Caucus participants are encouraged to explore opportunities for
regional and public/ private collaboration.
Happy Nurses Week! Thank you for all that you do - day in
and day out!
Congratulations to this year's 2024 Asset Builder Award
winners. Our community is a better place because of you!
The Asset Builder Awards publicly acknowledge youth, adults,
and organizations throughout the greater Newburyport area who are supporting
young people through their work or character.
Nominated by members of the community, the recipients are
selected for the award based on their natural ability and desire to support
youth in Newburyport. Their relationships with youth in the city are positive,
encouraging, supporting, and empowering.
Memorable day at the State House celebrating our 6-year old
constituent from Newburyport, Hudson Rivera, who was recently accepted into
Boston Mensa!
Hudson was recognized for this significant achievement with
an official Senate citation.
An avid fan of robotics, Hudson was delighted to visit with
Spot, the Robot Dog, presented by Boston Dynamics also visiting the State House
that day.
In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, let us take a
moment to thank our teachers who play a critical role in educating and shaping
our children into the future leaders of our country.
Today, National Teacher Appreciation Day, is a special day
for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to
our lives.
Every one of us has at least one teacher in mind who
encouraged and motivated us during our education. Take the time today to say
"Thank You" to the exceptional teachers you know.
Great time last week attending Earth Day activities
throughout the district 🌍
Fun in Newburyport and Boxford at their Earth Day
Celebrations!
This week I had the pleasure of attending the annual Animal
Lobby Day held by Mass. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the
Humane Society, the Animal Rescue League of Boston, and the Animal Legal
Defense Fund.
I met with a group of citizens and discussed concerns about
animal welfare, as well as, spoke about some of the legislative efforts we have
been working on to advance the cause of animal welfare.
If you are passionate about animal welfare, I encourage you
to get involved in the legislative process. You can make a difference by
contacting your elected officials and letting them know how you feel about
animal welfare issues.
Happy #ReadAcrossAmerica Day! 📚
In celebration of Read Across America Day, I joined Mrs.
Nawoichik's third grade class at Steward Elementary School in Topsfield.
Join the nationwide celebration of literacy and grab a book
to share with a young reader.
Let's make reading a lifelong adventure!
Mental Health Awareness Month 2024
1 in 5 adults experience mental illness each year and only
half of them receive treatment.
Recently, I joined the NAMI Cape Ann Annual Meeting to
present George Howe with a Senate citation acknowledging George Howe of Ipswich
for his many and varied contributions to the community as an Advocate for
Mental Health for more than a decade of service as a strong advocate for
improved mental health, reduction of stigma, and support for families whose
loved ones are struggling with mental health challenges.
Thank you George for touching the lives of hundreds of
people.
Seeking mental health support? Look no further than NAMI's
comprehensive suite of programs - join us in making a difference today!
www.nami.org/mham