Hello everyone,
I hope you all had a great week and a chance to safely and responsibly enjoy the fun activities going on over at the Eastern States Exposition. Last Friday my family and I made a trip over to the Big E for Military Appreciation Day where, to my absolute surprise, I was presented with this year’s Quilt of Valor. I am so honored to be recognized in this way and appreciate all my friends who attended.
It was another great but busy week across the district and over on Beacon Hill. At the State House this week I chaired hearings for both the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery as well as the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. On Thursday the Senate was back in formal session to pass legislation that would protect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities from abuse.
Around the district I had the opportunity to join the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield for their annual meeting. During the gathering I was proud to help celebrate the dedicated career of Lerryn Godden for all that she has done to help the Club grow over the past 34 years. Huge congratulations to Lerryn on being inducted on to the Wall of Fame and for her well-deserved upcoming retirement.
On Thursday I was back at the Westfield Council on Aging to connect with folks during the Senior Options Fair. Team Velis and I put together a table filled with local resources and had great discussions about the many ways that we can help assist residents with the issues they may face.
To round out the week Representative Blais and I hosted a meeting of the Aviation Caucus right here in Western Massachusetts at the Westover Metropolitan Airport. It was so great to welcome our legislative colleagues from across the state to Chicopee where we had the opportunity to tour the airport and learn more about the innovative work of the UMass Transportation Center. For those who might not be familiar, UMass operates a Aviation Research and Training Center at the airport where they are not only conducting research but training future air traffic controllers and pilots.
This week Team Velis hosted office hours in Easthampton and Holyoke. Next week Team Velis will be hosting office hours at the Russell Council on Aging on Tuesday from 11:30am to 12:30pm and again on Wednesday at the Southampton Council on Aging from 9:30am to 10:30am. 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