Hello everyone,
I hope you all had a great week! As a reminder next month, the federal government’s REAL ID requirement for air travel will go into effect. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you need any assistance with scheduling an appointment with the RMV to make this transition.
I started off the week out in Newton as the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism held its second community hearing. During the hearing the Commission had the opportunity to hear from residents from throughout the Commonwealth during our first public comment period. Over the almost 6 hour hearing we heard from dozens of individuals about their heartbreaking experiences with antisemitism and ways that they hope the Commission can improve the lives of our Jewish friends and neighbors.
On Tuesday Representative Duffy and I made a visit to the Holyoke City Council’s Development and Government Relations Committee to provide our yearly legislative update. While the Representative and I are often in close communications with Mayor Garcia and many members of the City Council it was great to dive into the issues we have all been collaborating on to benefit the City of Holyoke.
This week there was a lot to celebrate throughout the district. On Wednesday I stopped into Dean Tech in Holyoke to hang out with Holyoke’s high school wrestling team who has been absolutely dominating the mat the last few years. While I was there, I shared a citation with Coach Silano in recognition of being awarded the MIAA Division 2 West Wrestling Coach of the Year. Later that evening I made my way over to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield’s Youth of the Year celebration. Congratulations to all the candidates and Youth of the Year Gianna Beluzo!
This Friday was National Pets Day! Throughout my legislative career, I have worked to expand protections and funding for our animal friends and am thrilled to be able to celebrate this year with two new animal welfare laws that went into effect this week. Specifically, one law would end the practice of cat declawing and the other would prohibit the sale of puppies and kittens under the age of 8-weeks old. I was proud to have filed the legislation to safeguard young animals in the Senate last session and am grateful to see it go into effect. Often when a young animal is prematurely separated from their mother serious health or behavioral problems can arise.
This week Team Velis hosted office hours in Agawam, Chicopee, and West Springfield. Next week Team Velis will be hosting office hours on Tuesday at the Easthampton Council on Aging from 10:30am to 11:30am and on Wednesday at the Holyoke Council on Aging from 10:00am to 11:00am. If you are unable to make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com. 
Best, 
John Velis