House Journal, September 2, 2003

Met according to adjournment, at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session, with Mr. Fagan of Taunton 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, today we begin a new work week, month and academic year. As students, teachers and professors file into classrooms and face educational challenges, may they be guided in their search for truth and knowledge by solid human and spiritual principles and high personal standards. In our changing and competitive world, excellence in education is a necessity not a luxury. Teach us to work together in our diverse communities, so that all people will develop and utilize their specific talents and gifts for their own benefit and for the common good. Your gift of wisdom enables students and all of us to ask the right, good and fundamental human questions in our search of happiness and our quest for the meaning of life.

At the request of the Chair (Mr. Fagan), the members, guests and employees joined with him 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 Coppola of Foxborough, Poirier of North Attleborough and Kafka of Sharon) congratulating the Mansfield 14 year-old All Star Junior Baseball team on winning the district, state and regional Junior League playoffs and earning the right to represent the eastern United States at the Junior League Baseball World Series; and

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Donelan of Orange) in honor of the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of St. Mary’s Parish in the town of Orange;

Mr. Petrolati of Ludlow, 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 Donato of Medford, the resolutions (reported by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn) were considered forthwith; and they were adopted.

Petitions severally were presented and referred as follows:

By Miss Garry of Dracut, petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Colleen M. Garry and Kathleen M. Teahan that the Registrar of Motor Vehicles be directed to establish a fund for a memorial to the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on America.

By the same member, petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Colleen M. Garry and Kathleen M. Teahan relative to establishing the Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery.

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

A report of the committee on Government Regulations, asking to be discharged from further consideration of the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 458) of Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr., Robert L. Hedlund, Bruce E. Tarr, Stephen M. Brewer and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the fee charged for a license of a specially trained dog for disabled persons, and recommending that the same be referred to the committee on Local Affairs and Regional Government,— accepted by the Senate, was considered forthwith, under Rule 42; and it was accepted, in concurrence.

Petitions were referred, in concurrence, under suspension of Joint Rule 12, as follows:

Petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2081) of Robert S. Creedon, Jr., Robert L. Hedlund, Joan M. Menard, Steven A. Tolman and other members of the General Court for legislation to further regulate the marketing of fresh meat products. To the committee on Commerce and Labor.

Petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2080) of Stephen M. Brewer, Reed V. Hillman and Anne M. Gobi for legislation relative to the selection of the superintendent of the Tantasqua and Union 61 school district. To the committee on Education, Arts and Humanities.

Petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2079) of Pamela P. Resor, James B. Eldridge, Deborah D. Blumer and another for legislation to declare September twenty-first as Myositis Awareness Day. To the committee on State Administration.

By Mr. Scaccia of Boston, for the committee on Rules, that Joint Rule 7B be suspended on the following petitions:

Petition (accompanied by bill) of Peter V. Kocot and Michael R. Knapik that the licensing authority of the town of Southampton be authorized to issue an additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises to Shree Gurudev Corporation, d/b/a Southampton Beer and Wine. To the committee on Government Regulations.

Petition (accompanied by bill) of Gale D. Candaras and Linda J. Melconian that the retirement board of the city of Springfield be authorized to grant retirement benefits to Doris Shecrellah. To the committee on Public Service.

Under suspension of the rules, on motion of Mr. Driscoll of Braintree, the reports were considered forthwith. Joint Rule 7B then was suspended, in each instance. Severally sent to the Senate for concurrence.

By Mr. Scaccia of Boston, for the committee on Rules and the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, that Joint Rule 12 be suspended on the petition of Marie P. St. Fleur for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to the reintegration of prisoners into the cities and towns of the Commonwealth. Under suspension of the rules, on motion of Mr. Kaufman of Lexington, the report was considered forthwith. Joint Rule 12 was suspended; and the petition (accompanied by resolve) was referred to the committee on Public Safety. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

By Mr. Scaccia of Boston, for the committee on Rules and the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, that Joint Rule 12 be suspended on the petition of Cory Atkins and other members of the House for adoption of resolutions relative to a comprehensive public policy and strategy for the preservation and advancement of science and technology based economic development throughout the Commonwealth. Under suspension of the rules, on motion of Mr. Kaufman of Lexington, the report was considered forthwith. Joint Rule 12 was suspended; and the petition (accompanied by resolutions) was referred to the committee on Science and Technology. Sent to the Senate for concurrence in the suspension of Joint Rule 12.

By Mr. Scaccia of Boston, for the committee on Rules, that the Bill designating a certain trail in Mansfield as the World War II veterans trail (Senate, No. 1897) ought to pass. Referred, under Rule 7A, to the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling.

By Mr. O’Flaherty of Chelsea, for the committee on the Judiciary, on House, No. 2453, a Bill relative to court advisement (House, No. 4135). Read; and referred, under Rule 7A, to the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling.

Declaring September 11 as Unity Day (see Senate, No. 1636, amended); and

Authorizing the merger of Moby Dick Council, Inc. and the Boy Scouts of America into the Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America (see Senate, No. 1993, amended);

(Which severally originated in the Senate);

In respect to each of which the Senate had concurred in adoption of the emergency preamble, were passed to be enacted; and they were signed by the acting Speaker and sent to the Senate.

On motion of Mr. Finneran of Boston,—

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

At twenty minutes after eleven o’clock A.M., on motion of Mr. Rush of Boston (Mr. Fagan of Taunton being in the Chair), the House adjourned, to meet on Thursday next at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session.