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Click on the names of the towns above to go to that town's
web site.
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Dear Friend:
Happy Holidays!
As 2008 draws to an end,
I would like to wish you and your loved ones a prosperous 2009. I
hope that your holiday celebrations are joyous and you have a happy,
healthy new year.
Sincerely,
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In this Issue...
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State
House
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Cranberries Given
to Governor, Senators, House Leaders, and Constitutional Officers
Boston Office Sparkles
with Holiday Magic
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In the
District
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More Residents
Eligible for Low Income Heating Assistance
Bill to Create Cape
Cod Commission on the Status of Women on Governor’s Desk
Congratulations to
the Marine Biological Laboratories in Woods Hole on their $15 Million
Grant
Congratulations to Cordage Park on Growth District
Designation
Project Bread
Grants Awarded to Local Organizations
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State House
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Cranberries
Given to Governor, Senators, House Leaders, and Constitutional Officers
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With people gearing up for the holiday season and planning
their menus, I wanted to remind my colleagues on Beacon
Hill about the importance of putting cranberries on the
table. To do that, I presented the Governor, Lieutenant Governor,
Constitutional officers, Speaker DiMasi and the Senate membership with
cranberries from the University
of Massachusetts Cranberry Research Station.
Cranberries are a tradition in Massachusetts. They are important to
our history, economy, and health. I believe that it is important to
keep the tradition alive, and I hope that my colleagues will enjoy
these cranberries surrounded by family and friends.
Researchers
have found that eating cranberries or drinking cranberry juice can
block bacteria such as E. Coli and other bacteria associated with gum
disease and ulcers. Cranberries also contain antioxidants that reduce
the risk of cancer and heart disease. They are also known to help
reduce cholesterol.
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Boston Office Sparkles with Holiday Magic
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In the spirit of the holiday season, I have decorated my Boston office and
other areas around the Senate Chamber. The project, headed up by
Bourne resident Jackie
Lane, transformed my office, the Senate
Reading Room, and the Senate Lobby. The decorating was done by
volunteers from Heritage
Museums and
Gardens, Plimoth Plantation, and the Thornton W. Burgess Society.
This year’s theme is home and family. The decorations in
my office were handmade by volunteers from Heritage Museums
and Gardens, which also loaned the antique toys under the tree, and
represent the Victorian era. The antique furniture and books
around the tree are on loan from the Thornton W. Burgess Society, and
the dolls are on loan from the private collection of Ms. Elizabeth
Ellis. We also have glass on display from the Sandwich Glass
Museum, and a
rocking horse on loan from Miss Eliza Chun.
In addition, Rabbi Robert Miller of Newton has again generously loaned
his antique menorah for the holiday season.
The Senate Lobby is filled with various works of art on
display from the Cape Cod
Museum.
The decorations that adorn the four smaller trees in my
office and the Senate Reading Room were created by the children of:
South Shore Head Start, Cape and
Islands Boys and Girls Club, Cape Cod YMCA, and the Harwich Junior
Theater.
It is because of the volunteers and the generous donations
of area organizations that residents and visitors are able to experience
the State House in a different way.
Visitors
can see the decorations throughout the holiday season during the
regular State House Tour hours, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday
through Friday.
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In the District
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More Residents Eligible for Low Income Heating Assistance
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In order to ease the burden of fuel costs on residents
this winter, the eligibility requirements for the Low Income Heating Assistance
Program (LIHEAP) have been expanded to income that is 60 percent of the
Commonwealth’s median income. That means, for example, an individual
making up to $27,876 or a family of four that makes up to $53,608 who
own their home is eligible for at least a $450 benefit. That amounts to
approximately 180 gallons of oil.
Depending on your annual income, you may be eligible for
more assistance. Renters are also eligible for subsidies. For
more information and to see if you qualify, please contact South Shore
Community Action at: 508-746-6707.
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Bill
to Create Cape Cod Commission on the Status of Women on Governor’s Desk
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Women on Cape Cod and the Islands
are dealing both with issues that women across the Commonwealth face,
but also that are unique to the region. It is important that these
women have a voice and this commission will allow their issues and
concerns to be heard. That is why I cosponsored the bill creating the
Commission with Senator O’Leary.
The voluntary Commission is charged with conducting an
ongoing study of matters concerning the women of Cape Cod and the Islands, and is required to report their findings
and recommendations to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of
Women annually.
The Commission will consist of 13 people from the Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket Counties
who will be appointed by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of
Women. Members of the Commission will serve for either 3 years or
until a successor is appointed, and can serve two consecutive
terms. The initial members’ terms will vary, and include:
four members for one year; four members for two years; and, five
members for three years.
The legislation is now on the Governor’s desk awaiting
approval.
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Congratulations
to the Marine Biological Laboratories in Woods Hole on their $15 Million
Grant
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On November 14th, I had the privilege to be at the Marine Biological
Laboratories in Woods Hole to help them announce a $15 million grant
awarded to them by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
In the area of Life Sciences, Massachusetts and the MBL are known
for cutting edge research and educational opportunities.
We understood that need when the Senate included the $10
million for infrastructure improvements for the Marine Biological
Laboratories as part of the Life Sciences bill. It is because of Massachusetts’
investment and commitment to the life science industry that MBL was
able to secure this $15 million grant.
Scientists and researchers from around the world are
coming to Massachusetts,
and it is critical that we have the facilities to match our reputation
in the scientific community. The project of renovating Leob Lab at MBL
will give the graduate and postdoctoral scientists the facilities they
need to immerse themselves in this important research.
Investments,
like those made in the Life Sciences legislation, allow us to build
upon the economic foundation for the Commonwealth by making an initial
investment in an industry to attract business, encouraging research and
innovation, and leveraging additional investments right here.
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Congratulations to Cordage Park
on Growth District Designation
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Congratulations to Cordage Park
being named a State-Designated Growth District. Designating this area
Growth District will provide cooperation across state agencies and the
tools to more effectively and efficiently complete this project.
That is what is being done here and will be a blueprint
for other communities to follow. However, that wouldn't’t have happened
without the coordination of the developers, Town of Plymouth and the Commonwealth.
Utilizing existing infrastructure and buildings to meet
the needs of the community is good for residents and good for the town.
Plymouth
keeps growing and it is projects like this one that will allow our
community to provide housing and commercial space to meet the growing
demand in responsible manner.
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Project
Bread Grants Awarded to Local Organizations
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This time of year is always difficult for working families
around the Commonwealth. However, with the plummeting economy, many
more families are seeking help through local food pantries.
At total of $37,025 in grants were awarded by Project
Bread-The Walk for Hunger to area organizations who provide food to
families.
These organizations are struggling under the increased
demand and these grants from Project Bread-The Walk for Hunger are
critical to feeding hungry residents in our area.
The following are the grant recipients:
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Falmouth Service
Center
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$6,000
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Catholic Charities South
Plymouth Guild
Food Pantry
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$5,000
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Calvary Baptist
Church Pantry
Kitchen
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$5,000
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Salvation Army
Miracle Kitchen and Food Pantry
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$5,000
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Plymouth Area Coalition for the
Homeless
Pilgrims Hope Food Pantry
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$3,675
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First
Baptist Church of Hyannis
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$3,050
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Salvation Army/Plymouth
Food Pantry and Meals Program
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$3,000
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Housing Assistance
Corporation
NOAH Emergency Shelter
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$3,000
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Society of St. Vincent de
Paul
Christ the King
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$2,800
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Nam
Vets Association of the Cape and Islands
Veterans Food Pantry
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$2,000
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Society of St. Vincent de
Paul
Hyannis Food
Pantry
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$2,000
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Friends of Bourne Council
on Aging
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$1,500
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Pentecost United Methodist Church Food Pantry
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$1,000
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Cape
Cod Child Development Program Food Pantry
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$1,000
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The grant funding is provided through the Walk for Hunger.
This year, 400 emergency food programs will receive grants,
providing 43 million meals to hungry families and individuals. As
part of the grant 75 percent of the money awarded must go to food and
related supplies and 25 percent can be used for operational costs.
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What
People are Saying About Senate President Murray
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“We are extremely fortunate to have partners like you and
these community organizations. Thank you for continuing to work with us
to end hunger in Massachusetts.”
– Ellen Parker,
Executive Director of Project Bread-The Walk for Hunger
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