JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE.
Wednesday, August 27, 2003.
 
 
Met according to adjournment, at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session, with Mrs. Walrath of Stow 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:
God, Our Creator, in Whom we place our trust and from Whom we derive all wisdom, we pause for a moment of prayer and ask for Your spiritual gift of understanding. This gift enables us to comprehend issues clearly and consequently to do what is right, just and honorable in both personal and legislative matters. In our diverse society and culture, inspire us to unite, not divide, people in pursuing common goals which strengthen our basic institutions and our communities. In promoting the common good, inspire us to be thoughtful leaders, patient listeners and articulate communicators who are concerned with building a civil, compassionate and violence-free society.
Bestow Your blessings on the Speaker, the members and employees of this House and their families. Amen.

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

Message from the Governor.

A message from His Excellency the Governor (under the provisions of Section 8 of Article LXXXIX of the Amendments to the Constitution) recommending legislation relative to authorizing the sale of certain conservation land in the town of North Reading (House, No. 4131) was filed in the office of the Clerk on Tuesday, August 26.
The message was read; and it was referred, under Rule 30, with the accompanying draft of a bill, to the committee on Local Affairs and Regional Government. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Resolutions.

Resolutions (filed with the Clerk by Mr. Golden of Lowell) congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Trotta on the occasion of their fiftieth wedding anniversary, were referred, under Rule 85, to the committee on Rules.
Mrs. Harkins of Needham, for the committee on Rules, then reported that the resolutions ought to be adopted. Under suspension of the rules, on motion of Ms. Blumer of Framingham, the resolutions (reported by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn) were considered forthwith; and they were adopted.

Paper from the Senate.

A petition of Brian A. Joyce and Walter F. Timilty for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Rosa A. McPherson, an employee of the trial court, came from the Senate referred, under suspension of Joint Rule 12, to the committee on the Judiciary.
The House then concurred with the Senate in the suspension of said rule; and the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2073) was referred, in concurrence, to the committee on the Judiciary.

Reports of Committees.

By Mr. Pignatelli of Lenox, for the committee on State Administration, on a petition, a Bill authorizing the town of Lee to enter into contracts for construction, operation and maintenance, lease and modification of its water and wastewater treatment facilities (printed as Senate, No. 1934) [Local Approval Received]. Read; and referred, under Rule 7A, to the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling.
Mr. Kujawski of Webster, for said committee, reported that the matter be scheduled for consideration by the House.
Under suspension of the rules, on motion of Ms. Khan of Newton, the bill was read a second time forthwith; and it was ordered to a third reading.

By Mr. Rogers of Norwood, for the committee on Ways and Means, that the Bill authorizing the city of Somerville to issue certain general obligation bonds with level debt service (House, No. 3853) ought to pass [Local Approval Received]. Referred, under Rule 7A, to the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling.
Under suspension of Rule 7A, on motion of Ms. L’Italien of Andover, the bill was read a second time forthwith; and it was ordered to a third reading.

By Mr. Kujawski of Webster, for the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, that the Senate Bill declaring September 11th the official state day honoring all September 11, 2001 victims and heroes and promoting peace, unity and social action (Senate, No. 1636, amended) be scheduled for consideration by the House.
Under suspension of Rule 7A, on motion of Mr. Demakis of Boston, the bill was read a second time forthwith; and it was ordered to a third reading.

Engrossed Bills.

Engrossed bills
Authorizing the town of Topsfield to grant special liquor licenses for the sale of wines and malt beverages to be drunk on the premises (see House, No. 1480);
Authorizing the town of Topsfield to grant a license for the sale of wines and malt beverages not to be drunk on the premises (see House, No. 1481);
Authorizing the town of Topsfield to grant a license for the sale of wines and malt beverages to be drunk on the premises (see House, No. 1482); and
Designating a certain bridge in the city known as the town of Methuen as the Patriots’ Bridge (see House, No. 3472);
(Which severally originated in the House);
Severally having been certified by the Clerk to be rightly and truly prepared for final passage, were passed to be enacted; and they were signed by the acting Speaker and sent to the Senate.

Orders of the Day.

Senate bills
Authorizing the merger of Moby Dick Council, Inc., Boy Scouts of America, into the Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America (Senate, No. 1993, amended); and
Relative to the elction of members of the school committee of the Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School from the city of Lowell (Senate, No. 2069);
Severally reported by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn, were read a third time; and they were passed to be engrossed, in concurrence.

The House Bill designating a certain parcel of land in the city of Boston as the Guido Salvucci Bocci Court (House, No. 3883) (its title having been changed by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading), reported by said committee to be correctly drawn, was read a third time; and it was passed to be engrossed. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Order.

On motion of Mr. Finneran of Boston,—
Ordered, That when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet tomorrow at eleven o’clock A.M.


At twenty-eight minutes before twelve o’clock noon, on motion of Mr. Peterson of Grafton (Mrs. Walrath of Stow being in the Chair), the House adjourned, to meet tomorrow at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session.