Hello Everyone,
I can’t believe how fast 2025 is flying by and that we are already kicking the month of March off!
There was a lot to celebrate around the district this week as Team Velis helped two businesses commemorate their grand openings. On Tuesday Delaney’s Market opened their fifth store over on West Springfield. You can always count on one of the Delaney’s Market locations to offer fresh home-made food which Team Velis and I so appreciate while we are on the go in-between events. The next day my office joined folks over at the Westfield-Barnes Municipal Airport to celebrate the grand opening of Savvy Source, a software automation company that offers a wide range of technology services. Congratulations to both businesses!
On Tuesday I received a Leadership Award from the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (PAARI) Board. PAARI was founded in Gloucester Massachusetts back in 2015 and has grown to become a national network of over 700 police departments across 46 states. PAARI is an organization that provides resources and trainings to local police departments to help them best support those in our communities struggling with addiction. I am so appreciative of the PAARI board for recognizing my work both legislatively as well as directly in the community helping those battling addiction and navigating their recovery journey.
This week Senate President Karen Spilka announced Senate committee leadership assignments for the 2025-2026 legislative session. I am beyond honored to have been reappointed the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, & Recovery as well as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans & Federal Affairs. I am proud that both these committees sent comprehensive legislation to the Governor’s desk last session that will improve the lives of our Commonwealth’s Veterans and expands programs for those struggling with addiction. There is still plenty more to accomplish in these spaces and I am ready to get to work and build-upon last session’s momentum.
Yesterday marked Rare Disease Day, a day aimed to raise awareness and improve the lives of those living with commonly unheard of, yet extremely impactful, rare diseases. Each year Rare Disease Day is celebrated on the final day of February due to February’s unique “rare” day every few years. We are incredibly lucky that Massachusetts is home to some of the best research hospitals in the nation, many of whom are dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research to help treat those living with a rare disease!
This week Team Velis hosted office hours in Westfield, Russell, and Southampton. Next week we will be hosting office hours on Monday at the Agawam Council on Aging from 11:00AM to 12:00PM. 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