Representative Don Humason



VETERANS DAY By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. November 11, 2006 Before I get into my column for this week I would just like to say thanks to our veterans. Today is Armistice Day, Veteran's Day, and the day to honor and appreciate all of America's veterans past and present. I received a special package in the mail at my District Office this week from Kevin Keenan, Commander of the Aviation Task Force Kuwait, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment. Kevin and his family live in Westfield but he and the men and women in his unit have been serving overseas for a year. He returned to me a Massachusetts state flag I had sent him to fly with his unit in the desert. In an accompanying letter Commander Keenan wrote, "I want to take the opportunity to write to you as our tour here ends. We had a successful tour and we are happy to bring it to conclusion. I also want to return the flag to you and let you know it has flown here in Kuwait and that I also took it with me to Baghdad on September 11, the fifth anniversary of the attack on the US. The date holds a special, somber significance for our service members over here as well as for all our citizens. Your letter to me last summer was very kind and heartfelt. It means a lot to all of us that we have the support of our country and we all feel that we have that support.& nbsp; I know I have told you before but I can't say it too many times: The Soldiers from Massachusetts would make you very proud. They not only work very hard in such a hostile environment but they conduct themselves with a sense of spirit that has become a trademark. Please keep our soldiers in your thoughts and prayers. We look forward to coming back to Massachusetts soon." The election was held this week and the voters of the Commonwealth elected a new Governor. I respect the decision of the voters and congratulate Governor-elect Deval Patrick. I look forward to working with him and his administration to make Massachusetts an even better state than it is today. As a Republican in an overwhelmingly Democrat House and Senate, the role of my GOP colleagues and me will be to help remind Governor Patrick and the voters of his election promises. We will also be there to remind him to respect the voters and hard working taxpayers of the state. Speaking of respecting the voters, the Legislature met in a rare Constitutional Convention on Beacon Hill Thursday to take up several matters before the body. Unfortunately, before we would be allowed to vote on the issue of letting the people vote on the definition of marriage, a member of the Democrat Leadership, Representative Byron Rushing, moved to recess the convention until January 2, 2007, the last day of the legislative session. The vote was 109 to 87 to recess the convention, effectively putting off the matter once again. I was one of the 87 who felt it important to uphold my Constitutional duty and vote on the issue. I want to say hello to the children in Ms. Pion's class at Papermill Elementary School. Thursday was Reach Out And Read day in Westfield and I had the great pleasure of reading "Not Afraid of Dogs" to the class. Please mark your calendars. On Saturday, November 25, from 5 to 6 PM I am sponsoring a free skate at Amelia Park for the children and families of Westfield. Admission will be free and I will even pay for skate rentals if you don't have your own ice skates. Refreshments will also be provided. This is just my small way of saying "Thank You" to the people of my city for re-electing me to be Westfield's State Representative. I am grateful that you have allowed me to serve as your state representative. Have a wonderful week! Representative Don Humason and his aide Joe Wynn may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085,568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 443, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2460. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us * * * Please feel free to forward this column to your family, friends, and associates. If you do not wish to receive an email copy of my Saturday Westfield Evening News column, please reply and let me know. I will then take you off the list. Sorry for any inconvenience.
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VETERANS DAY

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

November 11, 2006

Before I get into my column for this week I would just like to say thanks to our veterans. Today is Armistice Day, Veteran's Day, and the day to honor and appreciate all of America's veterans past and present.

I received a special package in the mail at my District Office this week from Kevin Keenan, Commander of the Aviation Task Force Kuwait, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment. Kevin and his family live in Westfield but he and the men and women in his unit have been serving overseas for a year. He returned to me a Massachusetts state flag I had sent him to fly with his unit in the desert.

In an accompanying letter Commander Keenan wrote, "I want to take the opportunity to write to you as our tour here ends. We had a successful tour and we are happy to bring it to conclusion. I also want to return the flag to you and let you know it has flown here in Kuwait and that I also took it with me to Baghdad on September 11, the fifth anniversary of the attack on the US. The date holds a special, somber significance for our service members over here as well as for all our citizens. Your letter to me last summer was very kind and heartfelt. It means a lot to all of us that we have the support of our country and we all feel that we have that support.& nbsp; I know I have told you before but I can't say it too many times: The Soldiers from Massachusetts would make you very proud. They not only work very hard in such a hostile environment but they conduct themselves with a sense of spirit that has become a trademark. Please keep our soldiers in your thoughts and prayers. We look forward to coming back to Massachusetts soon."

The election was held this week and the voters of the Commonwealth elected a new Governor. I respect the decision of the voters and congratulate Governor-elect Deval Patrick. I look forward to working with him and his administration to make Massachusetts an even better state than it is today. As a Republican in an overwhelmingly Democrat House and Senate, the role of my GOP colleagues and me will be to help remind Governor Patrick and the voters of his election promises. We will also be there to remind him to respect the voters and hard working taxpayers of the state.

Speaking of respecting the voters, the Legislature met in a rare Constitutional Convention on Beacon Hill Thursday to take up several matters before the body. Unfortunately, before we would be allowed to vote on the issue of letting the people vote on the definition of marriage, a member of the Democrat Leadership, Representative Byron Rushing, moved to recess the convention until January 2, 2007, the last day of the legislative session. The vote was 109 to 87 to recess the convention, effectively putting off the matter once again. I was one of the 87 who felt it important to uphold my Constitutional duty and vote on the issue.

I want to say hello to the children in Ms. Pion's class at Papermill Elementary School. Thursday was Reach Out And Read day in Westfield and I had the great pleasure of reading "Not Afraid of Dogs" to the class.

Please mark your calendars. On Saturday, November 25, from 5 to 6 PM I am sponsoring a free skate at Amelia Park for the children and families of Westfield. Admission will be free and I will even pay for skate rentals if you don't have your own ice skates. Refreshments will also be provided. This is just my small way of saying "Thank You" to the people of my city for re-electing me to be Westfield's State Representative. I am grateful that you have allowed me to serve as your state representative.

Have a wonderful week!

Representative Don Humason and his aide Joe Wynn may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085,568-1366.

Their Boston address is State House Room 443, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2460.

Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us

* * * Please feel free to forward this column to your family, friends, and associates. If you do not wish to receive an email copy of my Saturday Westfield Evening News column, please reply and let me know. I will then take you off the list. Sorry for any inconvenience.