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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. 💜
