A Special Dinner Honoring Veterans

On Sunday, September 16th, I was privileged to have the opportunity to attend and to speak at the 3rd Annual Dinner Social honoring our veterans, which was organized by the North Reading Veterans Department and the North Reading Veterans Committee. The dinner at the Hillview Country Club presented a special opportunity to thank those who listened to the call to defend this great nation by enlisting into our military forces.

The dinner showcased an Honor Guard and a POW/MIA presentation table, music, great speeches and wonderful conversations with our veterans. Posted below are two photos of the event.

(From left to right Representative Jim Miceli; Director of Veterans Services for North Reading, Susan Magner; Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr)

Statement on Latest Kosilek Ruling

I released the following statement today, after U.S. District Court Judge Mark Wolf ruled that convicted murderer Robert Kosilek is entitled to compensation from the state for the legal fees associated with his 12-year quest to have the Commonwealth pay for his gender reassignment surgery (Judge Wolf had previously ruled that the state’s Department of Correction must provide the surgery at taxpayers’ expense):

“In ruling that the plaintiff is entitled to legal costs in his pursuit of gender reassignment surgery, Judge Wolf is continuing down the wrong path. This second inappropriate decision makes it even more critical for the Department of Corrections to file appeals and stand up for the taxpayers of Massachusetts and the integrity of the Eighth Amendment. I am once again calling on Commissioner Spencer to do the right thing by pursuing a vigorous appeal to overturn the court’s rulings.”

Happy Rosh HaShana

To my Jewish friends, constituents and the community, in recognition of the beginning of Rosh HaShanah, this Sunday at sundown, "L'Shana Tova."

Statement on a Northeast Fishery Federal Disaster Declaration

Today I released the following statement regarding an issuance of a disaster declaration for the Northeast fishery by Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank:

Boston- “Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank’s issuance of a formal disaster declaration for the Northeast groundfish industry comes as welcome news, and now as a region we can take the long-overdue steps to advance proposals to provide financial relief to our fishermen and their shoreside partners. We are in the midst of a progressive crisis that is rapidly eroding the fishing industry and our ability to harvest fish through domestic capacity. The crisis that the industry is facing has been increasingly building to the point where it now threatens the industry’s very survival.

The survivors of this fishing crisis have endured a long and painful road of neglect and regulatory mismanagement, and many have been forced out of business by having to sell their boats and permits. If and when money is approved by the members of Congress, the focus must be on preserving the industry from capsizing rather than expediting its end by focusing on consolidation measures and buy-outs.

Also, we must not fail in preserving the infrastructure that is so vital to maintaining a healthy industry, which consists of shoreside businesses of many types. They provide the necessary means to provide such an important protein from trawler to plate, and if we do not protect these heavily invested stakeholders from closure, they, too, will be absent from the industry’s landscape along with thousands of jobs.

Although this aid will be certainly welcome when it arrives, the work needed to repair the damage done to this industry is far from over. Critical changes to fishery management, to the regulatory process and the development of better science are essential to the vitality of this once thriving industry. Without these crucial improvements, Congress and the Obama Administration would only be prolonging the ultimate demise of this vital industry.

I am calling on Congress to begin a substantive and comprehensive conversation with fishing industry stakeholders to expeditiously and overwhelmingly pass emergency federal funds to the industry, and to develop a proposal for where the money will be most effectively applied.”

MEDIA ALERT: On the Air with Fox 25

I will be appearing live on Fox 25’s 6 o’clock news tonight to discuss the latest turmoil in the Middle East and how these events might shape the upcoming Presidential election. I will be joined in-studio by Representative Charles Murphy (D-Burlington). Please be sure to tune in to Fox 25 tonight at 6 p.m.

A Special Day at the Senior Center

Today I had the opportunity to celebrate the 19th anniversary of the Gloucester Council on Aging Social Day Program at the Gloucester Senior Center. The event included a resounding singing performance and a meal. The program’s aim is to get seniors out of their house every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week who would otherwise not have the opportunity to interact with their peers at a minimal cost.

The program includes a morning snack and a well-balanced meal as well as activities throughout the day. A CATA bus is also available for those in need of transportation. I encourage all seniors to take part in this worthwhile program. To inquire for more information about the Social Day Program please call the Senior Center at (978) 281-9765, ext. 20.

Recent 9/11 Memorial Services

This past Saturday I was able to attend the unveiling of an addition to the Town of Rowley’s 9/11 memorial. A 14” by 15” piece of a structural beam used to support one of the World Trade Center towers was donated by the New York City Fire Department to enhance the town’s existing memorial. Posted below are a few photos of Saturday’s event.

This morning, I was also able to speak at the City of Gloucester’s Remembrance Ceremony organized by the Gloucester Police and Fire Departments. It was a moving event and I was honored to have had been able to witness it. Photos of that event are also posted below.

Tonight the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts will be holding their annual Massachusetts Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Ceremony located at Ashburton Park off of Bowdoin Street behind the State House. The event commences at 6:00pm with both Governor Patrick and Lt. Governor Murray attending. This event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. Posted are a few photos of the Firefighters Memorial.

Town of Rowley 9/11 Memorial Service

City of Gloucester Remembrance Ceremony

Massachusetts Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial