House Journal, February 24, 2003

JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE.

Monday, February 24, 2003.

Met according to adjournment, at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session, with Mr. Murphy of Lowell in the Chair (having been appointed by the Speaker, under authority conferred by Rule 5, to perform the duties of the Chair).

Prayer was offered by the Reverend Robert F. Quinn, C.S.P., Chaplain of the House, as follows:

Eternal God, the Ultimate Source of Truth and Goodness, our attention and thoughts are presently focused on You, Our Guide, for right and successful daily living. In our diverse society in which people hold a variety of philosophical and ethical principles and differing political goals, teach us to reason and work together in resolving current complex societal issues. With Your assistance, guidance and our own goodwill, we have the ingredients for building a peaceful and civil society in which the rights and dignity of all are recognized. Inspire us to be ever mindful of the importance of both basic human and spiritual values and ideals and our commitment to our own personal religious faith.

Grant Your blessings to the Speaker, the members and employees of this House and their families. Amen.

At the request of the Chair (Mr. Murphy of Lowell), the members, guests and employees joined with him in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Resolutions.

The following resolutions (filed with the Clerk) were referred, under Rule 85, to the committee on Rules:

Resolutions (filed by Mrs. Gomes of Harwich and other members of the House) congratulating Philip A. Rollins upon his retirement as District Attorney of Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket County;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Kafka of Sharon) congratulating Benjamin Harris Cohen on receiving the Eagle Award of the Boy Scouts of America;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Koutoujian of Newton) commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the Massachusetts Nurses Association;

Resolutions (filed by Ms. Malia of Boston) congratulating Karlos Colon on receiving the Eagle Award of the Boy Scouts of America; and

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Nyman of Hanover) congratulating Mr. and Mrs. James C. Mueller on the occasion of their fiftieth wedding anniversary;

Mr. Miceli of Wilmington, for the committee on Rules, reported, in each instance, that the resolutions ought to be adopted. Under suspension of the rules, in each instance, on motion of Mr. Smizik of Brookline, the resolutions (reported by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn) were considered forthwith; and they were adopted.

Petition.

Mr. Lantigua of Lawrence presented a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2013) of Nicholas J. Kolofoles, Michael J. Sullivan (mayor), William Lantigua, Susan C. Tucker, Barry R. Finegold and others (members of the city council) (with the approval of said council) relative to the mailing of property tax bills in the city of Lawrence; and the same was referred to the committee on Taxation. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Papers from the Senate.

Reports of the Department of Public Health (under the provisions of Sections 5 and 20 of Chapter 111 of the General Laws) relative to inspections of certain correctional facilities, as follows:

Of the Bay State Correctional Center, in the town of Norfolk;

Of the Bridgewater Correctional Complex Kitchen, in the town of Bridgewater;

Of the Old Colony Correctional Center, in the town of Bridgewater;

Of the Pondville Correctional Center, in the town of Norfolk; and

Of the Worcester County House of Correction and Jail, in the town of West Boylston;

Severally were spread upon the records of the House; and returned to the Senate.

Order.

On motion of Mr. Finneran of Boston,—

Ordered, That when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet tomorrow at two o’clock P.M.; and that, notwithstanding the provisions of House Rule 12, the Clerk be authorized to dispense with the printing of a Calendar for said sitting.

At ten minutes after eleven o’clock A.M., on motion of Ms. Story of Amherst (Mr. Murphy of Lowell being in the Chair), the House adjourned, to meet tomorrow at two o’clock P.M.