Representative Don Humason



SAINT PATRICK'S AND EVACUATION DAY? By Representative Don Humason, Jr. March 17, 2007 I'd like to begin by thanking my Legislative Aide, Sarah Latour, for filling in for me last weekend and writing my column. It was her first time and I think she did a great job. Thanks Sarah! My wife and I were away last week and I got home just in time to catch a lovely spring cold. I've been feeling miserably. So I've been avoiding people so as not to infect them. Lucky for me the House of Representatives has not met for nearly two weeks in formal sessions. Now that Governor Patrick has come out with his budget proposal, called House One, for the state's next fiscal year, called FY'08, the Legislature has begun hunkering down as our committees have started to meet and assemble our own version of the Commonwealth's budget as well as process and dispose of all the bills that members have filed for the session. Lobbyists and advocacy groups of every kind are now coming to the State House to hold information sessions and meet with legislators about their priorities for the budget. Back in our districts, groups are holding dozens of "legislative breakfasts" where they hope to be able to impress upon the Senators and Representatives how important their areas of concern are in the budget. You don't need to be a paid political consultant to be an effective lobbyist. Next week I will again run a list I've compiled based on my personal experience as an aide, Legislative Director for a state agency, and now as Westfield's State Representative on the best and most effective ways to lobby your legislator. It's St. Patrick's Day, and the big parade in Holyoke is Sunday. The Westfield Sons of Erin contingent in the parade this year will be lead by our 2007 Parade Marshall Joe Wise. He will lead our Colleen, Anne Elizabeth Norton, and her Court, consisting of Lindsey Marita Broderick, Sarah Irene Donovan, Margery Grace O'Connor, and Katherine Marie Reardon. The 2007 Irishman of the Year is Jack Quinn and the Irishwoman of the Year is Mary Pettingill. The float committee has designed and built an excellent entry again this year, as always. Many people from Westfield will be marching in the parade Sunday. Let’s hope we have the luck of the Irish and good weather once again. Long-time readers of my column know that March 17 is something else in Massachusetts' history besides St. Patrick’s Day. March 17 is Evacuation Day. Evacuation Day commemorates a very important date in early American history. It was one of the first victories that General George Washington and the rag-shag Continental Army had during the Revolutionary War, the War for Independence with Great Britain. Westfield plays a part in the history of that event. It was the year 1776. General Henry Knox, a 25-year-old Boston book seller and friend of General Washington’s, was tasked with bringing captured French cannon from Fort Ticonderoga to Dorchester Heights in South Boston overlooking the Boston Harbor. As history records, Knox was successful in his mission. Not a single gun was lost during the long, hard, treacherous journey. The artillery was dragged up the Heights of Dorchester during the night and placed where they would be able to fire upon the British warships in the harbor. When the day dawned and the British saw the gun emplacements, they made the decision to leave Boston. I have always believed Evacuation Day should be remembered and observed for its historical significance not just in Suffolk Country, but also across the Commonwealth. Especially in Westfield, where we were remembered for our excellent hospitality to Henry Knox’ men and the cannon train, we have reason to celebrate the day. Representative Don Humason and his new aide Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us
This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group

SAINT PATRICK'S AND EVACUATION DAY?

By Representative Don Humason, Jr.

March 17, 2007

I'd like to begin by thanking my Legislative Aide, Sarah Latour, for filling in for me last weekend and writing my column. It was her first time and I think she did a great job. Thanks Sarah!

My wife and I were away last week and I got home just in time to catch a lovely spring cold. I've been feeling miserably. So I've been avoiding people so as not to infect them. Lucky for me the House of Representatives has not met for nearly two weeks in formal sessions.

Now that Governor Patrick has come out with his budget proposal, called House One, for the state's next fiscal year, called FY'08, the Legislature has begun hunkering down as our committees have started to meet and assemble our own version of the Commonwealth's budget as well as process and dispose of all the bills that members have filed for the session.

Lobbyists and advocacy groups of every kind are now coming to the State House to hold information sessions and meet with legislators about their priorities for the budget. Back in our districts, groups are holding dozens of "legislative breakfasts" where they hope to be able to impress upon the Senators and Representatives how important their areas of concern are in the budget.

You don't need to be a paid political consultant to be an effective lobbyist. Next week I will again run a list I've compiled based on my personal experience as an aide, Legislative Director for a state agency, and now as Westfield's State Representative on the best and most effective ways to lobby your legislator.

It's St. Patrick's Day, and the big parade in Holyoke is Sunday.

The Westfield Sons of Erin contingent in the parade this year will be lead by our 2007 Parade Marshall Joe Wise. He will lead our Colleen, Anne Elizabeth Norton, and her Court, consisting of Lindsey Marita Broderick, Sarah Irene Donovan, Margery Grace O'Connor, and Katherine Marie Reardon. The 2007 Irishman of the Year is Jack Quinn and the Irishwoman of the Year is Mary Pettingill.

The float committee has designed and built an excellent entry again this year, as always. Many people from Westfield will be marching in the parade Sunday. Let’s hope we have the luck of the Irish and good weather once again.

Long-time readers of my column know that March 17 is something else in Massachusetts' history besides St. Patrick’s Day. March 17 is Evacuation Day.

Evacuation Day commemorates a very important date in early American history. It was one of the first victories that General George Washington and the rag-shag Continental Army had during the Revolutionary War, the War for Independence with Great Britain. Westfield plays a part in the history of that event.

It was the year 1776. General Henry Knox, a 25-year-old Boston book seller and friend of General Washington’s, was tasked with bringing captured French cannon from Fort Ticonderoga to Dorchester Heights in South Boston overlooking the Boston Harbor.

As history records, Knox was successful in his mission. Not a single gun was lost during the long, hard, treacherous journey. The artillery was dragged up the Heights of Dorchester during the night and placed where they would be able to fire upon the British warships in the harbor. When the day dawned and the British saw the gun emplacements, they made the decision to leave Boston.

I have always believed Evacuation Day should be remembered and observed for its historical significance not just in Suffolk Country, but also across the Commonwealth. Especially in Westfield, where we were remembered for our excellent hospitality to Henry Knox’ men and the cannon train, we have reason to celebrate the day.

Representative Don Humason and his new aide Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us

This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group