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Thank
you Mr. Leader, and thank you Senator Hart and Senator Spilka for your kind
and encouraging words.
To
the people of the Plymouth and Barnstable District, I want to say that I am
proud to represent you as senator and as President of the Senate.
I
am grateful to you for your ongoing support and the faith you placed in me
once again with your vote on November 4th.
I
am reminded every day that you sent me here to do an important job, and I
will continue to uphold that commitment by working hard for you and for the
Commonwealth.
I
would like to thank Governor Patrick and Lt. Governor Murray.
I
look forward to working with them, Speaker DiMasi and our colleagues in the
House for a productive session.
And
I want to thank the Constitutional Officers and Mayor Thomas Menino for
their continued support.
I
would also like to recognize some people who are with us in the chamber
today:
The
new Boston City Council President Michael Ross, thank you for being here
today. And, of course, the outgoing President, my good friend, Councilor
Maureen Feeney.
Former
Senate President Robert Travaglini. Trav, thank you for everything.
A
special thank you to my entire staff You’re the best, and I can’t thank you
enough for the time and commitment you give to me, the Office of the
President, and to all the members of the Senate.
Thank
you to the Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes of Plymouth, the Very Reverend
Bryan K. Parrish of Duxbury and, of course, our wonderful singer, Oladuni
Oladipo of Canton.
Most
importantly, I want to thank my family and friends – some who are here
today: My daughter Lauren; my sisters and brothers-in-law; my cousins,
nieces and nephews;
And
to my sister Ginger who couldn’t be here today because of a new addition to
our family her granddaughter – the first of a new generation Welcome, Erin
Marie Farrell.
As
I said the last time we were here – My family is my foundation, my
barometer and the essence of who I am. I wouldn’t be here today without
you. Thank you.
To all of our returning senators: Welcome Back. And I’d like to formally
welcome the newest members to our family here in the Senate and ask them to
identify themselves as I say their names
Senator
Sonia Chang-Diaz, Senator Kenneth Donnelly, Senator James Eldridge, Senator
Jennifer Flanagan, Senator Thomas Kennedy, and Senator Michael Moore.
Welcome.
Here
we are again.
It’s
hard to believe nearly two years have passed since I first accepted the
nomination of my colleagues to lead this esteemed body. I remain honored
and humbled to be chosen by my peers, but it was never about me, and it
never will be.
There
are some observers who want me to talk more and grab the headlines. They
wonder why I don’t step into the glare of the spotlight or put myself at
the mercy of the microphone.
Well,
if they haven’t gotten the message yet, let me be clear:
That’s
not how I choose to lead.
There
are 39 other talented, capable individuals in this Senate, and I choose to
stand with them, not have them stand in my shadow;
I
choose to empower them and give credit where credit is due; I choose to
foster a spirit of cooperation and decorum, not divisiveness;
I
choose to work . to work with my colleagues and let the fruits of our labor
be our message and our reward.
It’s
not about me It’s about us, and the work we do together to help make this
Commonwealth a better place for everyone.
When
I stood before you 22 months ago as the first woman Senate President in
Massachusetts, and just the 16th woman ever elected to this body, I talked
about some issues that are important to all of us
Housing
and healthcare, energy and education, and the need for new industries and
support for our traditional ones.
It
might have seemed a bit unusual to hear a new Senate President talking
about farmers and fisherman.
But
suburban legislators pay attention to these issues, and the entire Senate
understood the importance of addressing these cornerstones of the
Massachusetts economy.
Together
we went on to pass important legislation to preserve and promote our dairy
farms and minimize the burdens on our commercial fishing organizations.
Even
today, we see the importance of this legislation with the latest example
over the weekend of the hardships our fishermen face every day.
Let
us have a moment of silence for the two Gloucester fishermen who died at
sea on Saturday.
Our
thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families.
Last
session we also supported new industry, passing a comprehensive life
sciences package to create jobs, help cure or prevent diseases, and
establish a cutting-edge environment for our future economy.
We
became a model for the nation with major reforms in energy and health care
– passing the Green Communities Act to promote renewable energy while
easing existing costs
And
we put through a first-of-a-kind health care quality and transparency law
to identify cost-drivers and hold health care providers and insurers
accountable.
For
education and housing, we approved two major bond bills that will allow
capital improvements on campuses across the state and the production and
preservation of affordable housing for low-income, disabled and elderly
residents.
The
list goes on and on with significant accomplishments for the environment,
children and the mentally ill.
We
passed nearly 100 major pieces of legislation and hundreds of smaller
bills. In fact, more than 450 bills the Senate acted on last session have
become law.
That
is an accomplishment for which we all can be proud.
We’ve
been through a lot together. And, at times, the Senate as a whole has been
tested, especially in the last six months.
But
the spirit and integrity of this great institution withstood those
challenges.
I
knew it would. And I believe we are stronger for it.
I
can’t tell you how happy I am to be with all of you today, ready to start a
new session. We have a great challenge in front of us.
Like
the rest of the nation and the world, Massachusetts is in the throes of a
recession.
The
Governor, with our support, has already addressed a budget shortfall of $1.4 billion, and he’ll
be forced to make more adjustments.
These
are never easy decisions.
But
we must meet our constitutional obligation to balance the budget while
making sure the services that residents rely on the most are the least
affected.
As
we walk together down this road, be mindful that there will be pain.
But
we cannot lose sight of hope.
Just
like the first settlers in Plymouth – the Pilgrims – who survived turbulent
seas and a brutal first winter in 1620 to form this great Commonwealth and
this nation, we must be resilient in this storm of economic uncertainty and
look for answers rather than focus on despair.
While
our challenges cannot compare to those of the natives and first settlers,
we can draw on their courage and conviction to get us through these
difficult times ahead.
We
must use this challenge to identify new opportunity.
In
some ways, we have already begun in earnest.
The
health care and energy reforms now on the books will help clamp down
runaway costs and make improvements in two major industries that are
essential to our lives.
As
the recession deepens, how worse off would we be without these two major
accomplishments?
We
are already focused on transportation, with work being done on serious
reform proposals from the Senate, the House, and the Governor.
Transportation
could be the defining issue of this legislative session, and I am
encouraged by the array of ideas and the amount of discussion already
taking place.
And
we should remain encouraged.
The
Commonwealth’s diverse economy and strength in technology, research and
education mean we’re better suited to weather this storm than most states.
We
can also look to a new administration in Washington, which is already
planning a federal stimulus package that could help Massachusetts create
jobs and grow the economy with millions of dollars for shovel-ready
projects.
I
know Governor Patrick is prepared to mobilize a plan that will take full
advantage of this opportunity if it presents itself, and I congratulate him
for leading on this important issue at this very critical time.
And
there are opportunities we must make for ourselves.
If
we’re going to come out of these tough times leaner and stronger, then we
must continue our call to action here in the Senate .
Reform before Revenue.
We’ve
got to look at every area of government and our economy to see where reforms
and efficiencies can be made before we ask residents to pay additional
taxes when they’re already struggling.
If more revenue is needed after all reforms are implemented, then we must
be able to show the public where that revenue will go and how it will be
used.
Transparency
and accountability must be our priorities The public deserves nothing less.
We
have a lot of work to do in the Senate this session.
In
addition to transportation reforms and the continuation of health care
reform, we’re going to look at changes in housing and lending practices and
explore cost analysis in infrastructure spending and state government.
Our
main objective is to remain active and not be tentative as we take the helm
in these uncertain waters.
As
long as we work hard every day, treat each other with respect, and remember
that we are driven by the same guiding principle – to do what’s best for
the people of the Commonwealth – then we will steer our way through this
storm and arrive at a safe harbor, stronger than when we started.
With
that in mind, let us join together and reach across all aisles Democrat and
Republican; Senate and House; Legislature and Administration.
If
there was ever a time for all of us to meet on common ground, this is that
time.
We
will always have our disagreements – that is part of a healthy democracy.
But let us always remember to do what is right.
If
we are willing to do that, we will succeed.
Thank
you to all of my colleagues here in the Senate.
The
confidence and faith you have shown in me with your votes today mean more
than I can say.
I
will do all I can as President of this distinguished body to honor and
respect your decision.
And,
again, I offer the same to my constituents in the Plymouth and Barnstable
District.
Your
support during the last 16 years has been humbling and rewarding, and I am
honored to serve you and all the people of the Commonwealth.
Thank
you for helping me do the job I love to do.
Now,
let’s get to work.
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