August 8, 2026 – Weekly Update
Hello Everyone,
Happy August! It’s hard to believe we’re already in the final month of summer.
After a busy July wrapping up the 195th formal legislative session, this week brought a welcome shift in pace. I’m looking forward to taking advantage of the slower month by catching up with friends and family and spending more time around the district.
Team Velis started off the week by hosting office hours in Agawam. It’s always wonderful to connect with our constituents and assist with any concerns they may have.
On Tuesday night, Agawam High School honored 25 students at the Adult Education Graduation Ceremony—an incredible milestone. Congratulations to all of this year’s graduates! I can’t wait to see what you accomplish next.
Friday marked Purple Heart Day, observed annually to honor the brave U.S. service members who were wounded or killed in military combat. Communities across our district held events to recognize their sacrifice, including West Springfield, Westfield, and Holyoke. Team Velis was honored to attend the annual Purple Heart Day Luncheon in Holyoke, hosted by the Western Massachusetts Veterans’ Service Officers’ Association. It is always a privilege to join our community and veterans in recognizing and thanking local Purple Heart recipients for their service. Sharing a meal and hearing the stories of veterans and their families is truly a humbling experience.
This week also marks Team Velis’ final week with our summer interns. Our entire office extends a huge thank you to each of them for their hard work and dedication in serving our constituents throughout the summer. We will miss having them in the office and cannot wait to see what the future holds for this bright group of individuals!
This week, Team Velis hosted office hours in Agawam. Next week, we will hold office hours at the Chicopee Council on Aging on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and again at the West Springfield Council on Aging on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. If you’re unable to attend, you can always reach us by email at john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone at (413) 572‑3920, or online at senatorjohnvelis.com.