Happy May Everyone,
We had a big week over here in the State Senate. I’m very proud to announce that the Bond Bill to fund the reconstruction of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home passed the Senate. After months of working tirelessly with staff, family, and residents, this is a huge step towards creating a new Home where we can care for our veterans with the dignity they deserve. The bill still hasn’t been signed into law yet , but I’m hopeful and will continue to work relentlessly to push this through.
Apart from the preparation for the Bond Bill, I was able to still get out into the community and meet with some constituents this week. On Monday, I took a meeting with the 509 chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). As the Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, I look forward to working with them on policy in the future.
I also met with Westfield State University’s student government this week to provide them with my annual update about the State Legislature. I’m very proud to have Westfield State in my district. These students are going to be our next generation of leaders and I’m always to happy to talk to them about what’s going on in the Legislature.
I was also able to tour another one of my favorite places in Westfield this week, the Boys and Girls Club. I, alongside State Senator Lesser from Springfield and Representative Pease from Westfield, toured their new addition. We also toured their new kitchen which has been vital during the course of this pandemic. We’re lucky to have such a hardworking and dedicated staff at our local Boys and Girls’ Club.
Also congratulations is in order for Miren Neyran Alcantara from Holyoke Community College and Miranda Kamukala of Springfield Technical Community College, two constituents of mine who are being celebrated this week by the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges for being some of the highest academic achievers in our state’s entire Community College System! Both were named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Massachusetts Academic Team for their outstanding academic achievement and student service. The community colleges in our region have some truly incredible students and congratulations to both on their achievements.
This Sunday marks Easter in the Greek Orthodox church! My family and I are very proud of our Greek heritage and faith. I’m very excited to be able to celebrate with them and I hope that as we move out of the pandemic, gatherings like this become more and more common. στην υγειά μας!
Recently I’ve started sending out newsletters from my office. You can sign up at senatorjohnvelis.com/newsletter/ to receive the newsletter right in your email inbox.
As always, if there is anything I can do to assist you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office. I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920 and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.
Sincerely,
John Velis