Daily Update 8/28: Celebrating the Life of Senator Kennedy
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Friday, August 28, 2009
Today: Friday, August 28, 2009
- Today, Governor Patrick will tour downtown Oak Bluffs and meet with local business owners and residents. Later he will attend the groundbreaking ceremony for Bradley Square, an affordable housing project. Read more here.
- This evening, Governor Patrick attends and offers remarks at the Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Senator Edward M. Kennedy at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
In the Press:
- Remembering Senator Edward Kennedy – Governor Patrick continues to reflect on the life and legacy of Senator Kennedy and is deeply grateful for his service and commitment to our Commonwealth and country. Yesterday, he invited members of the public to honor and celebrate the Senator’s life as his motorcade passed the State House. Read about the outpouring of support and gratitude for Senator Kennedy in the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and Associated Press. Learn about tributes and arrangements here.
Governor Patrick encouraged members of the public to pay their respects to Senator Kennedy yesterday.
- Public Access to the JFK Statue – Yesterday, as a tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy, Governor Patrick announced the public will be allowed access to the John F. Kennedy Statue at the State House. The statue had been off limits since September 11, 2001. State House guests and visitors will be able to view the historic statue on the State House lawn from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Friday, September 4th. The grounds will not be open on Saturday or Sunday. Read more in the Associated Press.
- T Adds Service for Kennedy Events – Yesterday, the Governor directed the MBTA to add bus and subway service over the next three days to help riders get to and from events honoring the Senator Kennedy. On Thursday and Friday, the Red Line will run extra trains to JFK/UMass Station, and Red Line service may be available after hours if crowds pile up. On Saturday, the Green Line's E branch will stop at Brigham Circle, and increased bus service will serve Huntington Avenue, with extra Orange Line service to Roxbury Crossing Station.
- Special Election – Yesterday, Secretary of State William Galvin discussed potential dates for a special election to fill the vacancy created in the U.S. Senate by Senator Kennedy’s passing. As the nation and citizens of the Commonwealth continue to mourn the passing and celebrate the life of the Senator Kennedy, the Governor feels there is time enough in the coming days for this discussion and a decision about a date to be made. Read the Boston Globe, here, the Associated Press, here, Bloomberg, and the Salem News.
- T Adds Service for Kennedy Events – Yesterday, the Governor directed the MBTA to add bus and subway service over the next three days to help riders get to and from events honoring the Senator Kennedy. On Thursday and Friday, the Red Line will run extra trains to JFK/UMass Station, and Red Line service may be available after hours if crowds pile up. On Saturday, the Green Line's E branch will stop at Brigham Circle, and increased bus service will serve Huntington Avenue, with extra Orange Line service to Roxbury Crossing Station.
- Helping Massachusetts Workers – When the Patrick Administration first heard that Jabil, a company in Billerica, would be closing their plant and laying off their workforce, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s “Rapid Response” team was on the scene within days to help. Rapid Response, which provides resources to displaced workers at companies across the Commonwealth and helps them find new employment, established an on-site career center in connection with EOLWD’s Division of Career Services and has brought potential new employers with them. Jabil’s willingness to partner with the state has served as a model to other companies experiencing similar hardships. Read about it in the Boston Globe.
- Re-developing Communities – As part of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Brownfields Support Team Initiative, Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray yesterday announced the commencement of demolition of structures at 121 Pinevale Street – part of the proposed Indian Orchard Business Park Project in Springfield. The Brownfields Support Team Initiative, a multi-agency pilot program, is leading the demolition of this property and the project will be overseen by MassDevelopment. “The commencement of demolition at 121 Pinevale Street represents a significant milestone for the Indian Orchard Business Park Project,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray. “It’s a great example of how the new Brownfields Support Team Initiative has successfully collaborated as a team of state and federal agencies to get the job done for a very complex brownfield site.” Learn more here. Read more here.
This Week:
- This week the Patrick Administration announced that Massachusetts public high school students once more scored near the top in performance and participation nationally on the 2009 SAT exam while making gains in performance on the reading and math exams. "Our students make me so proud," said Governor Deval Patrick. "This achievement is a credit to their hard work and the commitment of their teachers and families. We owe it to them to sharpen our focus on closing the achievement gap and giving all students access to the best education possible." Learn more here.
- Keeping with Governor Patrick’s commitment to preserve Massachusetts farms, the Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) announced the administration has targeted nearly $1 million toward agricultural economic viability projects in rural areas during FY 2009, while preserving 1,626 acres of farmland. Learn more here.
- Yesterday, the Governor invited the public to the State House to celebrate the life of Senator Ted Kennedy, calling him “a compassionate, effective, visionary statesman, family man and friend. He loved his country and he loved the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For so long, and in so many ways, he was our voice.” The Kennedy family motorcade passed the State House in front of the General Hooker entrance en route to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, where the Senator will lie in repose.
- In accordance with President Obama’s proclamation, Governor Patrick has ordered the United States flag be flown at half-staff until sunset on Sunday, August 30, 2009 in honor of Senator Kennedy. Read the full proclamation here.