Met according to adjournment, at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session, with Mrs. Harkins of Needham 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:

Gracious God, we believe that we live each moment of the day in Your presence. We also believe that You have a personal interest in our total well being and in our daily human and spiritual needs. Teach us to recognize and to acknowledge Your presence by conscientiously setting our personal goals and priorities in accord with right reason and Your spiritual values. In trying to adjust to the complexities and stresses of daily living, we pray for Your gifts of peace, patience and a clarity of vision in recognizing the purpose for which we have been created by You. May our commitment to serve You and the people who depend upon sound decisions remain firm and secure.

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

At the request of the Chair (Mrs. Harkins), the members, guests and employees joined with her in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

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

Resolutions (filed by Representatives Eldridge of Acton and Atkins of Concord) honoring Raymond A. Shamel for many years of distinguished service to the town of Acton;

Resolutions (filed by Representatives Falzone of Saugus and Reinstein of Revere) commending the Saugus High School varsity hockey team on winning the 2003 Division II Massachusetts state ice hockey championship;

Resolutions (filed by Messrs. Galvin of Canton and Kafka of Sharon) congratulating Michael A. Saracino on receiving the Eagle Award of the Boy Scouts of America;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Hillman of Sturbridge) on the occasion of the retirement of Peter E. Pappas;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Larkin of Pittsfield and other members of the House) recognizing the Week of the Young Child in Massachusetts;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Naughton of Clinton) congratulating Chief Kenneth G. Hutchins on the occasion of his retirement from the Northborough Police Department;

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

Resolutions (filed by Representatives Speliotis of Danvers, Polito of Shrewsbury, Demakis of Boston and Candaras of Wilbraham) recognizing that the Ancient Macedonians were Hellenes and that the inhabitants of Macedonia today are Hellenic descendants and part of the Northern Province of Greece, Macedonia; and

Resolutions (filed by Ms. Wolf of Cambridge) congratulating Carole Scanlon on the occasion of her retirement;

Mrs. Harkins of Needham, 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.

The following communications were read for the information of the House:

From the Plainridge Racecourse (under Section 2 of Chapter 128C of the General Laws) submitting copies of contracts for simulcast­ing of dog races; and

From the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (under the provisions of Subsection 5(h) of Section 151 of Chapter 127 of the Acts of 1999 submitting a report of its operations for the year ending December 31, 2002;

Severally placed on file.

Annual reports

Of the State Lottery Commission (under Section 38 of Chapter 10 of the General Laws) of its Charitable Gaming Division for the year ending December 31, 2002; and

Of the Blackstone River and Canal Commission (under Chapter 568 of the Acts of 1981) for the calendar year 2002;

Severally were placed on file.

The following petitions (having been returned by the State Secretary, under the provisions of Chapter 3 of the General Laws, with memoranda relative thereto) was referred, under Rule 24, as follows:

By Mr. Travis of Rehoboth, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3744) of Philip Travis relative to the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation. To the committee on Banks and Banking.

By Ms. Gifford of Wareham, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3745) of Susan Williams Gifford and Marc R. Pacheco (by vote of the town) for legislation to abolish the Wareham Economic and Industrial Development Corporation and the Wareham Community Development Authority and establish an economic development fund to be administered by said town. To the committee on Commerce and Labor.

By Mr. George of Yarmouth, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3746) of Thomas N. George and Robert A. O’Leary relative to the trustees of the Jacob Sears Memorial Library in the town of Dennis. To the committee on State Administration.

Severally sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Mr. Fresolo of Worcester presented a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3742) of Timothy P. Murray (mayor), Thomas R. Hoover (city manager), John P. Fresolo and Guy W. Glodis (with the approval of the city council) that the city of Worcester be authorized to re-institute an early retirement incentive program; and the same was referred to the committee on Public Service. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Petitions severally were presented and referred as follows:

By Mr. Binienda of Worcester, petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of John J. Binienda and other members of the General Court for legislation to authorize the Trial Court to establish a sick leave bank for Natasha Searcy, an employee of said court.

By Mr. Knuuttila of Gardner, petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Brian Knuuttila and Robert A. Antonioni for legislation to authorize the Department of Correction to establish a sick leave bank for Christopher Bailey, an employee of said department.

By Mr. Ruane of Salem, petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of J. Michael Ruane relative to refunding a portion of motor vehicle excise taxes to certain members of the armed forces on active duty.

By Mr. Turkington of Falmouth, petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Eric Turkington for legislation to authorize the school committee of the Martha’s Vineyard High School District to enter into a certain lease agreement with Martha’s Vineyard Aquatic Center, Inc.

Severally, under Rule 24, to the committee on Rules.

A Bill authorizing the town of Sunderland to hold annual and special town meetings in the town of Deerfield (printed in Senate, No. 1967) (on a message from His Excellency the Governor), passed to be engrossed by the Senate, was read; and it was referred, under Rule 7A, to the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling.

On motion of Mr. Finneran of Boston,—

Ordered, That when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Monday next at eleven o’clock A.M.

At nine minutes after eleven o’clock A.M., on motion of Mr. Smizik of Brookline (Mrs. Harkins of Needham being in the Chair), the House adjourned, to meet on Monday next at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session.