Preventing Child Sexual Abuse

As a member of the Legislative Task Force on the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse I was encouraged by the State House briefing we had today because the task force has been actively collecting data and building frameworks and other tools that will help us protect children.

Representative Brad Hill and I volunteered to go first in inviting the Task Force to begin community meetings across the state. I will keep you posted when we schedule a session on Cape Ann.

Here is what we know now- a pedophile averages more than 200 victims in our state, one in five girls and one in 10 boys are sexually abused before 18, and children with disabilities are almost twice as likely to be sexually abused.

These statistics are alarming and they are the underpinning of why we legislatively created a task force; we need to empower those who care about the wellbeing of kids with the tools and resources they need to prevent sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

Our Task Force will raise public awareness and develop strategies that will help professionals, volunteers, and others working with kids identify signs of abuse. We have a lot of work to do but we cannot fail, we must ensure the safety and protection for our children.

Legislative Coffee With Harborlight Community Partners

Harborlight Community Partners invited me and other area legislators to meet with members of the HCP board, staff, and members of the community for a “Legislative Coffee” event today at the Community House in Hamilton.

We talked about the significance of affordable housing for seniors and families and how we can work together to better support our citizens in need of housing. HCP communities include Beverly, Hamilton, Ipswich, Gloucester, Marblehead, Peabody, Rockport, Salem and Wenham.

Andrew DeFranza, Executive Director of Harborlight Community Partners was our host.

In the photo from left to right: Representative Brad Hill, Senator Bruce Tarr, Andrew DeFranza, Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, and Representative Jerry Parisella State Representative.

Senior Care Day on the Hill

Today we welcomed elder service organizations from my district in their visit to my State House office. SeniorCare Inc.​ of Gloucester, which delivers service to nine North Shore communities and Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley​ which serves 23 communities in the Merrimack Valley were visiting the State House as part of a lobby day to provide information about the needs of seniors for home care, nutrition programs, protective services, and housing. My conversations with them reinforced how valuable their work is.

These non-profit agencies work directly with thousands of elders and disabled adults to help them remain living in the community with dignity. Care managers and other professionals support elders and their families by providing assistance for health and wellness. Both organizations do so much to help secure independence and safety for elders every day.

Mike Festa​, State Director of AARP MA​, and a former colleague in the House of Representatives, was the host of a gathering of 300 elders, caretakers, and family members. Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts​ and the Mass Senior Action Council​ co-sponsored the day’s event.

Elder needs are vitally important. In just three years, 22% of our state’s population will be a senior. By 2025 nearly one in four residents will be 60 years of age or older. Clearly, we need to be paying due attention to their needs. Enabling our seniors to remain independent, vibrant and connected to their communities is good for us all.

If you know an elder or a person with a disability, perhaps a relative, friend, or neighbor, who needs information about nutrition resources, health care services, nursing home information or other areas of interest I recommend that you visit http://www.seniorcareinc.org/ or http://www.esmv.org/.

First Annual Boy Scout Day on the Hill

I sponsored this first annual Boy Scout Day on the Hill along with Senate President Stan Rosenberg as a way to highlight the service and action that Scouts have engaged in in the previous year. I was very pleased to welcome to the State House today members of all eight councils of Boy Scouts from across the state.

We began in the Senate Chamber where scouts led us in the Pledge of Allegiance before they recited the Scout Oath and Law. From their annual report we learned that last year, Massachusetts Boy Scout troops gave 150,000 hours of community service. And the statewide one-day service project "Scouting for Food" resulted in the donation of more than 200,000 pounds of food.

After our session we moved to the Grand Staircase and were welcomed by Governor Charlie Baker. He shared some sage advice about respect and fair treatment for all with the scouts, "I would urge you all to model that behavior, not just as scouts, but as leaders in your community and as you grow up and become leaders in other organizations because the lessons you learn, the skills you develop, those will be there to help make you part of your generation's success story if you choose to understand them and take advantage of them and incorporate them into the way you live your life."

I am so proud of the accomplishments that these Troops have made. At its best, scouting can have a profound and life-long impact for those who wear the uniform. In 351 cities and towns, in every corner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, whether it be a large city or a tiny hamlet, scouting is committed to the proposition, that we will have a spirit of being ready, willing and able to support each other.

Iwo Jima Day at the State House

365,000 veterans live in our Commonwealth: they all deserve our thanks and they should be frequently in our thoughts. Today, in a Memorial Hall ceremony, we observed Iwo Jima Day at the State House to honor the Marine veterans who served there in the major World War II battle in 1945.

Governor Charlie Baker, the first Massachusetts Governor to attend Iwo Jima Day, greeted each of eight Iwo Jima veterans who were present personally. Department of Veterans' Services Secretary Francisco Ureña, State Senator McGee (whose father fought in the battle and who later helped establish the Iwo Jima Day ceremony), State Senator Mike Rush, a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, Sergeant Richard Gates, a marine veteran who was part of the American invasion, and others addressed the gathering.

Governor Baker expressed a sentiment that captures my feelings about our veterans “The only reason we are able to do the people’s business is because of men and women like you, and your families, since the start of this nation’s history. They signed up to put themselves in harm’s way to defend our freedoms and our way of life.”

In attendance today was Larry Kirby a Manchester by the Sea resident and friend. Now 93 years old, Larry was a young man when he fought the enemy hand-to-hand more than 70 years ago. He lost 22 close friends. He once said that he visits with them every day in his mind.

Before the invasion, there were 22,000 Japanese soldiers heavily entrenched within a network of tunnels and caves. The fighting was particularly fierce and the casualties were high. When it was over, the U.S. Marines were victorious, they captured the island and raised and American flag high on Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945

American forces suffered as many as 7,000 dead and 17,400 wounded in the battle. "All those young boys - they didn't just die, they gave their lives," said Mr. Kirby.

Semper Fi

If you are a veteran, or care about a veteran, I want you to have this link to our nation-leading set of veterans benefits administered through the Massachusetts Veterans Services.

Gloucester Nets $2.7 Million Marine Science Award

Last week, Governor Charlie Baker came to Gloucester to announce $3 million in capital funding for the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute and for middle and high schools in Gloucester, Lynn, and Salem. The commitment of $2.7 million to support the Institute marked another major milestone in our efforts to advance the science to sustain our fishing industry, and build new industries that will employ a developing workforce with the skills they need.

Six years ago, I was asked to participate in a plan to develop support for a marine research institute on Cape Ann. The idea was powerful and important; because commercial fisheries face numerous challenges it is vital that we identify all possible resources to achieve the mission. Together, we set out to support a world-leading marine biotechnology research institute that connects knowledge with the needs of the oldest working fishing harbor in America.

Years of hard work and the commitment of the Gloucester community was rewarded. I was pleased to join Governor Baker as he announced the funding at the Institute, alongside Massachusetts Life Sciences Center President and CEO Travis McCready, Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, GMGI staff and students.

The expected science-based data on fisheries will have a profound impact on our understanding of marine life and that will shape fisheries management decisions which in turn will impact the economy of our region. Scientists and researchers at the Institute are now making great strides toward accomplishing that mission.

Over the years I have been able to add funds in several Senate versions of the state budget for the Marine Genomics Academy’s workforce training skills program. And, I have worked with colleagues to expand our states commitment to research and development in the life sciences which helps sustain and support the industry. Massachusetts is truly leading the way.

The commitment of funds, and the ongoing interest from elected officials, scientist, the fishing community and others, will help us lead the world and improve the quality of life for people. I told those gathered at the celebration that the official life science policy of this Commonwealth has begun taking us to new heights in scientific endeavors.

The $2.7 million in funding will have important impacts, it will; accelerate the Institute’s work to make Cape Ann a biotechnology hub; promote sustainability in fisheries; advance our knowledge of ecosystems; stimulate economic growth; and inspire people to engage with our natural resources as we never could before.

 

A Celebration of the Arts

The Massachusetts Cultural Council announced the winners of the 2017 Commonwealth Awards in a State House event today. These awards honor exceptional achievement in the arts, humanities, and sciences from among more than 500 non-profit organizations that receive grants through the Council.

The Commonwealth’s creative economy, fueled by these non-profits, generates $2 billion of economic impact throughout the state each year. The creative economy represents the third largest industry in the state. Our tax dollars provide $14 million in arts and culture grants which produce $104 million in taxes and spending by patrons which are collected by the state - a seven to one return. In addition, these organizations have a strong employment history, having a base of 62,000 jobs.

More than an economic multiplier, our cultural originations generate thousands of dedicated volunteers who support an average of 140 events each day. Not only that, but reports show that students who participate in the arts have lower dropout rates and a higher chance of attending college.

The 175 members of the Springfield Sci-Tech High School Band performed on the Grand Staircase in front of Memorial Hall and filled the halls of the State House with their music.

The Massachusetts Cultural Council promotes excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and sciences to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and to contribute to the economic vitality of our communities.