Statement on a Federal Appeals Court Denial of Convicted Killer’s Sex-Change Operation

Yesterday I released the following statement regarding the ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit denying a tax-payer funded sex-change operation for convicted wife killer Michelle Kosilek. The Senate Republican Caucus has previously filed legislation preventing such surgeries, and will file new legislation for the upcoming legislative session:

Boston- “The Federal Court of Appeals decision to deny convicted killer Michelle Kosilek gender reassignment surgery is an affirmation of fairness and justice. Allowing someone who has committed first degree murder to receive extraordinary surgery at best lacks commonsense, and at worst offends the interests of justice.

The Department of Corrections (DOC) has remained steadfast in its belief that the state should not be required to provide such surgery, and I commend the department for continuing to fight against this outrageous request. Had the unprecedented ruling by Judge Wolf been upheld to allow Michelle Kosilek’s surgery, not only the Commonwealth, but the country would have ventured down a dangerous path resulting in serious ramifications not yet identified.”

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Happy Chanukah!

“May the lights of Chanukah usher in a better world for all humankind.” ~Author Unknown

To all of my Jewish friends and constituents, I wish you all a happy Chanukah celebration, and may you all enjoy eight days of peace, happiness, and joy with your loved ones.

Also, this afternoon I will be joining with Rabbi Liberman and many state officials, including Governor Patrick, Speaker DeLeo, and Senate President Murray in the lighting of the State House Menorah in recognition of Chanukah. Today’s lighting of the Menorah is open to the public and will take place in Nurse’s Hall on the 2nd floor of the State House beginning at 4:00pm.

At 5:30pm tonight, I also plan to attend the Temple Ahavat Achim Menorah lighting in Gloucester, where the world’s first Lobster Trap Menorah will be lit.

Wreaths Across America

Last Monday I had the honor to address a crowd of dedicated volunteers, veterans, guests, and members of the public at a Wreaths Across America wreath ceremony at the Topsfield Fair Grounds.  The touching event, which starts in Harrington, Maine and ends at Arlington National Cemetery, is coordinated in a concerted effort with thousands of volunteers seeking to remind people the importance to “remember, honor, and teach” about those veterans we have lost who dutifully served this great country.

The annual wreath laying trip first began in 1992; however, due to the large following and the tremendous interest in the yearly ceremony, Wreaths Across American was officially formed in 2007. The following year over 300 locations held wreath laying ceremonies in cemeteries in every state, Puerto Rico, and overseas with over 60,000 volunteers participating in laying over 100,000 wreaths. The organization continues to grow to this day and is in constant need of volunteers, donations, and sponsors.

To learn more about the Wreaths Across America organization, please click here. Posted below are several photos that Rowley Selectman Bob Snow captured during last Monday’s ceremony.

North Shore Holiday Toy Drive is Tomorrow!

Tomorrow starting at 6:00am I will join with North Shore 104.9 in our annual North Shore Toy Drive.  We will be broadcasting live from 9 different locations throughout the day in an effort to collect as many toys as possible for area charities to go to local children.

 

This exciting event brings together community officials, local talent, school systems, and even Santa and Mrs. Claus all in the spirit of giving.  All the broadcasts are open to the public, and we would love to see as many new faces as possible this year.

 

The final broadcast, which is the Cape Ann Savings Bank on Main St. in Gloucester, will even feature special guests for children!  Come for the food, for the entertainment, or to take pictures with Santa Claus, but most importantly please come to drop off a toy or gift card.  Through all of our hard work, we can truly make a child’s Christmas a special one.

 

To view all of the live broadcast locations, please click the picture above.  To read a recent press release that I distributed earlier this month, please click here.

Collecting Toys for North Shore Children

For the past several years I have worked in partnership with local radio station North Shore 104.9 FM to conduct a month long toy drive to benefit children of the North Shore, and on Thursday, December 11th we will be broadcasting live from 6:00am-6:00pm throughout the North Shore for one final push to collect toys before the holidays.  This year we hope to collect more toys than we have in the past due to the increase in need.

Toys collected will all be provided to the charities in the communities from which they are donated.  Some of those charities include Neighbors in Need, Beverly Bootstraps, Action, Inc., Pathways for Children, and others.  I’d like to encourage all of my constituents to stop by at one of the locations and join in on the festivities.  The day will include music, interviews of state and local officials, food, and special guests.  All are welcome to attend and to even take pictures with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus!

Posted below is the press release that I released.  It contains a complete schedule and toy drop-off locations.  I hope to see you on the 11th!

North Shore 104.9 & Senator Bruce Tarr Hit the Road for 19^th Annual North Shore Holiday Toy Drive

Toy Drive Expected to Collect Thousands of Toys for Charities on the North Shore

Beverly- With the need for toys at an all-time high for local children, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) and North Shore 104.9 will once again broadcast live all day from nine locations on the North Shore to collect as many toys, gift cards, and monetary donations as possible to fulfill that need.

This year’s Holiday Toy Drive will take place on Thursday, December 11th from 6:00am to 6:00pm. The live broadcast will feature local entertainment, school choirs and bands, great food, and interviews with local officials.  Even Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be lending a helping hand to support the cause!  Dawson’s True Value Hardware of Beverly and Topsfield has partnered with Senator Tarr and North Shore 104.9 to present the 19th annual North Shore Holiday Toy Drive broadcast.

“The holiday season gives us all a chance to show just how much we care about our neighbors and the children in our communities,” said Senator Tarr.  “By joining together this year as we have in the past we can make a real difference in the lives of children who need to know that we think it’s important for them to have a happy holiday.  It’s about more than a just toy; it’s about knowing they’re not forgotten.”

North Shore 104.9 President Todd Tanger stated, “We are thrilled to be a part of this wonderful event. The North Shore Holiday Toy Drive is such an exciting event that brings holiday joy to deserving children right here in the North Shore. We thank everyone for their overwhelming generosity and kind contributions, especially Bruce Tarr for his continued efforts and energy year after year. We appreciate listeners and clients allowing us to break from normal programming to broadcast this event and hope they help us bring some holiday joy to the lives of children on the North Shore this holiday season.”

The scheduled broadcast locations are as follows (times are subject to change):

6:00am Capitol Diner 431 Union Street, Lynn, MA

Toys being collected for: Family and Children’s Service of Greater Lynn

7:30am Salem State University 71 Loring Ave, Salem, MA

Toys being collected for: Mass General for Children at North Shore Medical Center

9:00am Flint Public Library, Middleton 1 South Main Street, Middleton, MA

Toys being collected for: Neighbors in Need

10:30am Dawson’s True Value Hardware 50 Enon Street, Beverly, MA

Toys being collected for: Beverly Bootstraps

12:00pm First Ipswich Bank 31 Market Street, Ipswich, MA

Toys being collected for: Action Inc./ Ipswich Caring

 

1:15pm Woodman’s of Essex 121 Main Street, Essex, MA

Toys being collected for: Action Inc.

 

2:00pm Manchester Athletic Club 8 Atwater Avenue, Manchester, MA

Toys being collected for: Pathways for Children of Gloucester

 

3:30pm Shalin Liu Performance Center 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA

Toys being collected for: Action Inc.

 

5:00pm Cape Ann Savings Bank 109 Main Street, Gloucester, MA

Toys being collected for: Action Inc.

In addition to the above broadcast locations, the locations below are welcoming any and all donations for the Annual North Shore Holiday Toy Drive. Please note that North Shore 104.9 will not be broadcasting from the below locations:

∗Cruiseport Gloucester

∗Cape Ann Savings Bank, Manchester

∗Marblehead Community/Aging Center

∗Marblehead Police Department

∗Abbott House, Lynn

∗Rosewood House, Peabody

∗Devereux House, Marblehead

*Align Credit Union, Danvers

∗First Ipswich Bank: Essex, Rowley, Gloucester

∗Honey Dew Donuts, Danvers

∗Delande Lighting, Salem

∗Greater Beverly Chamber of Commerce

∗MAC (Manchester Athletic Club) Gloucester, Rowley

*Delande Lighting, Salem

∗Wenham Museum

*Dawson’s True Value Hardware, Topsfield

∗Additional toy donation locations listed at www.NorthShore1049.com.

Toys can be dropped off at any of these locations now through Friday, December 19^th. For further information, please call JoAnn Gillette at North Shore 104.9 at 978-927-1049 extension 19 or Senator Bruce Tarr at 617-722-1600.

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Giving for a Good Cause

On Saturday, November 22^nd, I had the opportunity to attend and speak on air at The Open Door’s annual food drive event in Gloucester. With the three major grocery stores in Gloucester partnering in the effort, I attended the Market Basket location, where North Shore 104.9FM was broadcasting live.

Through the hard work and dedication of Julie LaFontaine and her volunteers at the food bank, the assistance of 104.9FM, Market Basket, Shaw’s, and Stop & Shop, and the generosity of hundreds of people donating very important supplies, the annual event was a success. It is extremely important, particularly this time of year, that everybody receives warm meals to provide optimal nourishment.

To learn more about The Open Door food pantry, which services Cape Ann and Ipswich, please click here. Posted below are several photos captured during my time at the event.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

“For each new morning with its light, for rest and shelter of the night, for health and food, for love and friends, for everything thy goodness sends. I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and new.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

I would like to wish my friends, family, and constituents a very happy Thanksgiving this year. It is also my hope that we all take a few moments to think of those currently serving our country overseas and here in the US. Through their courage and bravery we have the opportunity to spend this time with our loved ones. Through their sacrifice the ideals of America continue to be safeguarded from tyranny.

May we all have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!