Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction.” – the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Today, the House Republican Caucus honors the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who dedicated himself to advocating for equal rights and justice for all Americans through non-violent means. We must continue to work together to fulfill his dream so that all people can “live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Representative Brad Jones Re-Elected as House Minority Leader for 2021-2022 Session

Representative Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) has been unanimously re-elected by his Republican colleagues to serve as Minority Leader of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

The vote to select Jones as Minority Leader took place on January 6, the first day of the 2021-2022 legislative session. He will lead a 30-member House caucus comprised of 28 returning members and two freshman legislators who were elected in November of 2020: Kelly Pease of Westfield, who claimed the seat vacated by Democrat John Velis when he ran for state Senate, and Steven Xiarhos of West Barnstable, who won the seat formerly held by Republican Randy Hunt of Sandwich, who decided not to run for re-election.

“Having the support of both the new and returning House Republican Caucus members means a lot to me,” said Jones. “I appreciate my colleagues’ vote of confidence and I thank them for giving me the opportunity to continue to lead the caucus over the next two years.”

In his inaugural remarks, Jones cited the many challenges created by the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, which necessitated swearing in most legislators remotely this year, rather than in-person in the House Chamber. He expressed a desire to work with new House Speaker Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy) to “find common ground in the year ahead to ensure that the critical needs of the residents of the Commonwealth are addressed.”

“I commend and applaud my colleagues for their leadership and strength shown during these unprecedented times,” he said. “The citizens of our districts have needed us more now than ever before to help them navigate these challenges. We have been forced to spend far less time on Beacon Hill and have had the opportunity to be available locally to lend support, encouragement and even sympathy. Sadly, we have all lost valued members of our districts and the sadness each community has had to endure is unimaginable.”

Jones struck an optimistic note in his remarks, predicting that “the House of Representatives is up to the many challenges that we face,” while adding that he is “confident that we as a Commonwealth will find the strength to continue moving forward and that a brighter future is ahead.”

A lifelong North Reading resident, Jones was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1994. Jones continues to maintain a perfect voting record. He has never missed a roll call and has now cast 7,549 consecutive votes as a member of the House.

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

It was 79 years ago today that the US naval base at Pearl Harbor came under surprise attack, resulting in more than 2,000 Americans killed and more than 1,000 wounded. Proclaimed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as "a date which will live in infamy", the events of December 7, 1941 precipitated America's entry into World War II.

A joint resolution approved by Congress in 1994 officially designated December 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Today, we continue to remember and honor those who lost their lives in service to our nation on that fateful Sunday morning nearly eight decades ago. We also want to thank the men and women who are currently serving in our military and helping to protect the many freedoms we all enjoy.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

The Capitol View wishes you and your loved ones a very safe and happy Thanksgiving! As we navigate through the many challenges posed by the COVID-19 global pandemic, we are thankful for the many frontline workers who continue to care for and comfort those who have been hospitalized with the coronavirus. We are also thankful for the men and women who are serving in our nation's armed forces, and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers this holiday.

VETERANS DAY 2020

 U.S. Army General Colin Powell once said, “The celebration of Veterans Day is a vivid reminder of the price which has been paid for the liberty we enjoy. It is also an appropriate time to reflect on the burden we all share in ensuring our children, and their children, enjoy that same liberty.”

 Our veterans and their families truly understand the enormous cost of our freedoms. More than one million Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation, including more than 37,000 fallen soldiers who called Massachusetts home.

 

On Veterans Day, the Capitol View joins with Americans everywhere to salute the many brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, both past and present, including those who are currently on active duty. Their willingness to serve and to place themselves in harm’s way is the reason we continue to enjoy so many freedoms and personal liberties. We thank our veterans for their service to our country, and we will continue to honor their bravery and legacy.

Nineteen Years Later, We Still Remember ... And We Will Never Forget

 

“One of the worst days in America’s history saw some of the bravest acts in Americans’ history. We’ll always honor the heroes of 9/11. And here at this hallowed place, we pledge that we will never forget their sacrifice.” – President George W. Bush, speaking at the dedication of the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial on September 11, 2008.

 

Nineteen years have passed since the September 11 terrorist attacks, which claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 Americans, including more than 400 firefighters, police officers and EMTs who were simply doing their jobs by rushing headfirst into a dangerous situation to help others. On this somber anniversary, the House Republican Caucus joins with Americans everywhere to remember and honor those who lost their lives, as well as the loved ones they left behind. We will always remember September 11, 2001, and we will never forget the countless acts of heroism that took place that day.  

HAPPY 244th BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

“I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth all the means.” – July 3, 1776 letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams

On July 4, 1776 – 244 years ago today – the original 13 colonies officially declared their independence from the British monarchy and established the United States of America.  The Massachusetts House Republican Caucus joins with Americans everywhere today in celebrating our nation’s Independence Day. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

MEMORIAL DAY 2020: Freedom Is Not Free

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE

I watched the flag pass by one day,

It fluttered in the breeze;

A young Marine saluted it,

And then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform,

So young, so tall, so proud;

With hair cut square and eyes alert,

He’d stand out in any crowd.

I thought… how many men like him

Had fallen through the years?

How many died on foreign soil?

How many mothers’ tears?

How many pilots’ planes shot down

How many died at sea

How many foxholes were soldiers’ graves

No, Freedom is not Free.

I heard the sound of Taps one night,

When everything was still;

I listened to the bugler play,

And felt a sudden chill;

I wondered just how many times

That Taps had meant “Amen”

When a flag had draped a coffin

Of a brother or a friend;

I thought of all the children,

Of the mothers and the wives,

Of fathers, sons and husbands

With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard

At the bottom of the sea,

Of unmarked graves in Arlington.

No. Freedom is not Free!

©Copyright 1981 by Kelly Strong

This poem offers a sobering reminder of the true cost of freedom. Throughout our nation’s history, men and women from all walks of life have answered the call to serve, and many have made the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow citizens. As we observe Memorial Day, the members of the House Republican Caucus join with Americans everywhere in saluting our fallen soldiers and the loved ones they left behind. Their service and sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Marking the 75th Anniversary of VE Day

Today marks the 75^th anniversary of VE Day, the day the United States and its Allies agreed to Germany’s unconditional surrender during World War II, marking the end of hostilities in Europe. Although the war would continue in the Pacific for several more months until Japan’s surrender, VE Day signaled that one of history’s deadliest armed conflicts was finally nearing an end after the loss of millions of lives. Today, we remember and honor members of America’s Greatest Generation for their service and sacrifice, and salute those who continue to serve our nation.
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Rep. Ferguson Named to Special Commission on Family Care and Child Care Services

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) has appointed State Representative Kimberly N. Ferguson (R-Holden) to a special commission that will explore the possibility of allowing candidates for public office in Massachusetts to use campaign funds for child care expenses.

The Special Commission on Family Care and Child Care Services will look at similar state and federal laws governing the use of campaign funds for family and child care services to see if it is feasible to offer the same benefit to Massachusetts candidates for state, county and municipal offices.  The commission will also set parameters for what constitutes an allowable use of campaign funds for these purposes, and will work to determine if safeguards can be implemented to ensure the state’s Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) can adequately vet expenditures to prevent the unauthorized use of campaign funds.

At least three other states – Texas, Alabama and Wisconsin – allow campaign funds to be used for child care expenses.  Congressional candidates can also use funds to pay for child care expenses directly related to their campaign.

“The cost of child care is often cited as a deterrent to running for elected office, particularly for mothers of young children,” said Representative Jones.  “I believe Representative Ferguson will do an outstanding job helping the commission determine the proper framework for implementing potential changes to our campaign finance laws that would allow for the use of campaign funds to cover these expenses.”

"I am honored to have been appointed to this Commission by Minority Leader Jones and look forward to getting to work and producing a meaningful report and recommendations with my fellow Commissioners.    I appreciate his confidence in my work and input regarding this important matter," stated Representative Ferguson.

Ferguson is one of six legislators serving on the 11-member commission, which is being chaired by Representative John Lawn (D-Watertown) and Senator Barry Finegold (D-Andover).  The others include Senator Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) and the House and Senate co-chairs of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, Representative Elizabeth Malia (D-Boston) and Senator Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington).

Jill Ashton, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women; OCPF Director Michael Sullivan; and Pam Wilmot, Executive Director of Common Cause Massachusetts, are also serving on the commission.  The final two members will be selected by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women and by Governor Charlie Baker, whose appointee must have “experience or expertise related to reducing gender, racial and economic disparities in civic engagement.” 

The commission is scheduled to release a report of its findings and recommendations by June 1, 2020.

Ferguson currently serves as the Ranking House Republican on the Joint Committee on Education and the House and Joint Committees on Rules, and is also a member of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.  She represents the First Worcester District, which is comprised of Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Precinct 1 in Sterling and Precinct 2 in Westminster.