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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:

Gracious God, we take this moment to focus our attention and thoughts on You, Our Creator. Too often our daily responsibilities and routine divert our attention from You and the availability of Your assistance as we struggle to make sound judgments and reasonable decisions. During these stressful and uneasy times in which violence against people seems pervasive, let our hearts and minds be filled with Your gifts of peace and wisdom. Guide our efforts to cope with today’s political and cultural challenges by stressing the dignity and importance of each person and by strengthening our basic institutions which help build stable, orderly and safe communities.

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 Mr. Demakis of Boston) congratulating Elsie Frank on the occasion of her ninetieth birthday;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Fagan of Taunton) congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Louis Raposa on the occasion of their fiftieth wedding anniversary;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Finegold of Andover) congratulating Bridget Bennett on the occasion of her retirement;

Resolutions (filed by Representatives Flynn of Bridgewater and Canavan of Brockton) congratulating Dr. Dana Mohler-Faria;

Resolutions (filed by Ms. Fox of Boston) on the occasion of St. Vincent and the Grenadines independence;

Resolutions (filed by Mr. Loscocco of Holliston) on the retirement of Police Chief W. David Lambirth;

Resolutions (filed by Messrs. O’Brien of Kingston and deMacedo of Plymouth) congratulating Jason Matthew Bregoli on receiving the Eagle Award of the Boy Scouts of America; and

Resolutions (filed by Ms. Wolf of Cambridge) congratulating the city of Cambridge Peace Commission on the occasion of its twentieth anniversary;

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. Turkington of Falmouth, the resolutions (reported by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn) were considered forthwith; and they were adopted.

The annual report of the Statewide Emergency Telecommunications Board (under Section 18B(e) of Chapter 6A of the General Laws) relative to the implementation of the enhanced emergency 9-1-1 public safety answering system and related matters, was placed on file.

The House Order relative to extending until [A] Tuesday, December 31, 2002, the time within which joint standing committees and the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, are authorized to make reports on all matters referred to them, came from the Senate with the endorsement that said branch had concurred with the House in its further amendment (striking out [at “A”] the date “Monday, September 30” (inserted by amendment by the Senate) and inserting in place thereof the date “Thursday, October 31”) with a still further amendment striking out the date “Thursday, October 31” and inserting in place thereof the date “Monday, November 4”.

Under suspension of Rule 35, on motion of Mr. Peterson of Grafton, the still further amendment was considered forthwith.

Mr. Finneran of Boston then moved that the House concur with the Senate in its still further amendment with a still still further amendment by striking out the date “Monday, November 4” and inserting in place thereof the date “Monday, November 18”.

The still still further amendment was adopted. The House then concurred with the Senate in its still further amendment, as amended. Sent to the Senate for concurrence in the still still further amendment.

By Mr. Kujawski of Webster, for the committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, that the House Bill amending the charter of the city of Newton to clarify residency requirements for candidates for local office in the city of Newton (House, No. 5210) [Local Approval Received] be scheduled for consideration by the House.

Under suspension of the rules, on motion of Ms. Wolf of Cambridge, the bill was read a second and (having been reported by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn) a third time forthwith; and it was passed to be engrossed, its title having been changed by said committee to reading: “An Act relative to residency requirements for candidates for local office in the city of Newton.”. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

By Mr. Dempsey of Haverhill, for the committee on Public Service, on a petition, a Bill establishing a sick leave bank for Myrna Lison, an employee of the Department of Mental Retardation (printed as Senate, No. 2477). 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 Mr. Falzone of Saugus, the bill was read a second time forthwith; and it was ordered to a third reading.

By Mr. Verga of Gloucester, for the committee on Local Affairs, on a petition, a Bill changing the boundary line between Boxford and North Andover (House, No. 5345). 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. Wolf of Cambridge, the bill was read a second time forthwith; and it was ordered to a third reading.

By Mr. Greene of Billerica, for the committee on Commerce and Labor, on House, No. 770, a Bill relative to eligibility for extended federal unemployment benefits (House, No. 5355). Read; and referred, under Rule 33, to the committee on Ways and Means.

The engrossed Bill validating the actions taken at the special town meeting held by the town of Rockland (see House bill printed in House, No. 5153) (which originated in the House), having been certified by the Clerk to be rightly and truly prepared for final passage, was passed to be enacted (more than two-thirds of the members having agreed to pass the same); and it was signed by the acting Speaker and sent to the Senate.

Mr. Ruane of Salem moved that the vote be reconsidered by which the House, at the preceding sitting, passed to be engrossed the House Bill establishing a sick leave bank for Richard F. Ryan III, an employee of the Trial Court of the Commonwealth (House, No. 5319, amended); and the motion to reconsider was entertained, and it prevailed.

Pending the recurring question on passing the bill to be engrossed, the same member moved that it be amended by adding at the end thereof the following section:

“SECTION 2. This act shall take effect as of July 5, 2002.”.

The amendment was adopted; and the bill (House, No. 5319, amended) was passed to be engrossed. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Relative to dog license fees for senior citizens (House, No. 3054, changed); and

Validating certain votes taken by the town of Hopkinton (printed in House, No. 5343);

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. Severally sent to the Senate for concurrence.

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 twenty-nine minutes after eleven o’clock A.M., on motion of Mr. Bosley of North Adams (Mr. Fagan of Taunton being in the Chair), the House adjourned, to meet on Monday next at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session.