Hello,
I hope everyone had a great week!
I started off the week on Monday with constituent meetings over at my district office. I was happy to have had the opportunity to sit down with Nora Schmidt of Southampton to discuss policies that I can support in the state legislature to help improve pediatric cancer research and to celebrate here recent recognition as a Commonwealth Heroine. Nominating Nora for this award was the easiest decision I have ever made. What Nora has done to honor and advocate in her daughter Maddie’s memory is simply put special. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me Nora!
Later in the day I went up to Northampton to visit the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum with members of the Western Massachusetts delegation and colleagues from across the state that serve on the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development. It was beyond interesting to learn more about the future plans for the Presidential Library to increase accessibility and showcase President Coolidge’s extensive life of public service. Next time you are in Northampton make sure to check it out!
On Wednesday the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism held a hearing at the State House to review draft recommendations on how school districts across the Commonwealth can proactively prevent antisemitic incidents from occurring and best practices on addressing incidents that do transpire. The stories I have heard since the Commission began 9 months ago from young people are beyond gut wrenching, and simply put we cannot allow this pervasive hate to continue to rear its ugly head in our K through 12 schools, or anywhere. I am grateful to all the Commissioner who participated and provided such thoughtful feedback on these draft recommendations.
Before the end of the week I had the opportunity to join Kamp for Kids for their 50th annual “Welcome Day” celebration. Every year this event is filled with so much joy as campers of all abilities return for a fun and inclusive summer. Too often children with disabilities miss out on going to a summer program with their peers and I am so grateful for the team at BHN in ensuring all of kids have this memorable childhood experience.
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 again 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