Hello Everyone,
I hope everyone got the chance to see the partial eclipse on Monday. While Western Massachusetts did not fall under the path of totality this event was still incredible to witness. Mark your calendars for the next Great North American Eclipse in 2045.
Over at the State House this week both the House and Senate adopted a Joint Resolution to recognize April as the “Month of the Military Child”. Here in Massachusetts, we not only recognize and appreciate the selflessness our active-duty military members, but we also recognize the challenges that their families and children face, whether that be going periods without seeing a parent to frequently moving around and switching schools. Last session the Legislature took tremendous strides with the SPEED Act to ease the transition of military children and families moving to the Commonwealth, and I was proud to join Senator JoComerford, Representatives Zlotnik and Representative Whipps this week to recognize the many military connected children across Massachusetts.
On Monday I joined the new CEO of Tapestry Health, Mavis Nimoh, at their location in Holyoke to tour their offices and learn more about the work she hopes to take on to support the behavioral health of countless individuals across Western Massachusetts. Tapestry Health has played a vital role over the last five decades to be a leading expert in public health issues that impacts our region. I am extremely grateful for their collaboration on many of the legislative issues I review with the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery.
This week my team and I were busy traveling throughout the district for a variety of celebrations. On Tuesday I joined Mayor Vieau and Senator Oliveira over in Chicopee for the 20th anniversary of the Chicopee Public Library. The celebrations continued Thursday evening as we presented a Senate citation to the Amy Crosby Photography Studio in West Springfield to recognize the opening of their studio. Team Velis also joined the grand opening celebration of the Gary Rome Car Wash and Dog Wash on Thursday, which just so happened to be National Pets Day. To wrap up this week’s celebrations, we stopped into the opening of the Boot Barn over in West Springfield on Friday which specializes in work gear and Western equine style. Congratulations to all these organizations and businesses on your momentous occasions and welcome to the Valley!
This week my office hosted office hours at the West Springfield COA and the Chicopee COA on Thursday. Next week, we will be at the Easthampton COA on Tuesday from 10:30am to 11:30am and at the Holyoke COA on Wednesday from 10:00am to 11:00am. If you can’t 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.
Sincerely,
John Velis