I had to lay low this week because I was smitten with a bad cold. The doc thinks it may be bronchitis or possibly pneumonia. All I know is I am barking like a bad dog.
I hate being sick at this time of year because autumn is my favorite season. The weather is great. There’s so much going on in Western Massachusetts and around my district. And, of course, it’s almost election time.
One event I’m afraid I’ll have to miss this weekend is the Westfield Haunted Harvest Restaurant and Pub Tour on Saturday night from 7 – 11 p.m. Tickets are $12 per person. Go to www.thedistrictwestfield or www.westfieldonweekends.com for all the details.
I would like to thank Maura Cassin, my Chief of Staff, for holding down the district office this week. She does such a great job for me and I really appreciate all her hard work on my behalf and for the people whom I represent.
Maura attended an event on Friday and accepted an award for me from the Stavros Center for Independent Living for my advocacy on behalf of people in the Bay State who are deaf and hard of hearing. Below is a copy of their press release:
“Westfield’s State Representative Donald F. Humason, Jr. will be honored by Stavros Center for Independent Living for his work on behalf of Deaf and hard of hearing people at the annual Access Awards luncheon on October 18 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The awards are given annually to individuals and businesses that have provided outstanding services to the disability community of the Pioneer Valley.
“There’s a lot to like about Don Humason,” said Angelina Ramirez, Director of Development and Community Relations at Stavros, pointing to Rep. Humason’s support of Westfield State University and his membership on the House Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect. “What makes him really special to us is his leadership in Boston on Deaf and hard of hearing issues,” she noted. “He understands that Deaf and hard of hearing people are far too often shut out from the rest of society, and he’s been a strong supporter of the need for greater communication access in schools, in hospitals, and in our court system.” Ramirez said that Rep. Humason had also fought to protect basic services for the Deaf and hard of hearing communities in the face of statewide budget cuts.
“For all these reasons, we know we have a real friend in Don Humason, and we’re very pleased to present him with the Paul F. Batch, Jr. Award for Legislative Excellence.”
“Stavros serves more than 6,000 disabled people each year in the Pioneer Valley through advocacy, personal care attendants, peer counseling, ramp-building, and other programs. “It really does take a village to make sure persons with disabilities have the services they need,” said Ramirez. “The Access Awards are our way of saying thanks for the work of all the people who make up that village.”
I am grateful for the recognition and wish I had been able to accept the award in person. Especially since my days as the Director of Legislative Affairs at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services and perhaps because of my own hearing loss issues I have always believed it was important for the Commonwealth to do as much as we can to assist our constituents with physical challenges such as deafness or blindness. My wife and I even tried to teach our son Quinn using Baby Sign Language to facilitate his speech and communication skills as an infant.
In addition, please allow me share that the Minority Leader of the Massachusetts House recently recognized me for having a 100 percent roll call record this session. See below:
“House Republican Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) congratulated State Representative Don Humason, Jr. (R-Westfield) on achieving another perfect voting record for the formal 2011-2012 legislative session that concluded on July 31.
“Humason did not miss a single vote in 374 consecutive roll call votes in the House of Representatives in 2011 or 2012, earning him another 100 percent voting record. Only 36 of the 160 state representatives, 22.5 percent, can boast of that accomplishment.
“With a perfect voting record for the 2011-2012 legislative session, Representative Humason has once again proven to be a valuable and committed member of the House Republican Caucus,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones. “Don has continued to uphold his pledge to be the voice of the residents and small businesses within the 4th Hampden District.”
“It has been said, ‘80 percent of success is showing up’ and Don’s perfect roll call record again this session exemplifies that,” said Representative Jones.
“I thank Leader Jones for his kind words and praise,” Humason said. “I wasn’t sure how I would do this session being a new father to a baby boy. My job as Westfield’s State Representative is very important to me but my family has to come first. Despite some crazy schedule-juggling I was able to be there for Janice and Quinn and still able to be present and involved for all the debates and roll call votes this session.”
“Representative Humason currently serves as the senior member on the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee and as the Ranking Republican member on the House Rules Committee. He is the Chair of the Aviation Caucus and a member of the Library caucus, Public Higher Education Caucus, Small Business Caucus, Parks Caucus, and Boating Caucus.
“He maintains a district office at 64 Noble Street in downtown Westfield, telephone number 568-1366, for the convenience of his constituents. His website is DonHumason.org.
“Humason is running for re-election to his sixth term in the House of Representatives. He is unopposed on the ballot.
“Election Day is Tuesday, November 6. Formal sessions of the House and Senate will reconvene in January, 2013.
“I am incredibly proud of that 100 percent and I thank my constituents for their support,” Humason said. “I appreciate the privilege to represent them on Beacon Hill.”
Have a great week.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of the Westfield News.
Representative Don Humason and his Chief of Staff Maura Cassin may be reached at their Westfield District Office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, (413) 568-1366.
Representative Don Humason may be reached at his Boston office, State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803.
Email address: [email protected]
Website: www.DonHumason.org
