2022-01-31 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
2022-01-31 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
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the Joint Committee on State administration and regulatory oversight to order. The matters that before us today are matters concerning land bills, commissions, an honorary bills. Uh This is just for the record for monday January
31, 2022, 11:00 virtual hearing. Let me begin by just asking everyone for their cooperation
that it can be very distracting41 that if somebody is trying to speak and somebody has themselves a muted, it will distract immensely from the testimony. So I would ask everybody to check uh computer now make sure you are in fact muted and only a mute when it's uh you are, I'm testifying before the committee. Um
second everyone who signed up will have an opportunity to speak. We ask that you please limit your testimony to 23 minutes. We also have email and electronic copy of your testimony immediately after the hearing. So we look forward to hearing from everyone. I also ask that you not forget that this hearing is live and is airing on the legislature website. So I would ask you to be careful with your comments because they are truly public in going out to the to the world. Uh So I want to just make sure everybody is certainly aware of that. Um I'm not sure if Representative Cabral has joined us at this point in129 time. Uh If he has, I see he is on the participant list in I would call on him at this time to make an opening statement if he if he cares to Representative
uh and chairman House chair uh Antonio Cabral
Well, they might be signed on in just away from the computer at this time. We will have him make a169 statement when he uh he joins us. I thank all the members of the committee for joining us. All right today, I'm not going to go into
announcing everyone at this at this time, but if you have any questions, please introduce yourself if you are a member of the committee after testimony is it is given. Um we will begin with testimony from constitutional offices and hosts and senate members at this time, then continue209 on to other
individuals who have signed up for today's committee hearing. I don't see or I haven't been
advised any of our constitutional officers that would testify today. But let me begin with Representative keep Diggs on on House 40-81 and240 Act directing the superintendent of state office buildings to install a permanent memorial in the massachusetts house in honor of Mercy Otis Warren uh and following a good representative,
I will also take senator Cyr if he is here and Representative carol Fiola I see her. So I know she is here. So representative uh you may begin, you can begin, thanks for allowing me to say a few words.
REP DIGGS - HB 4081 - Chairman Pacheco, thank you very much, and everybody on the committee. Mercy Otis Warren was a true Trailblazer, a patriot, a woman that was able to do things that292 women weren't really used to doing at that time. She was not formally educated, her father was fully supportive of her, her uncle299 Jonathan Russell tutored her two brothers to go to college and she was able to basically be part of and then James, her brother went to Harvard and that's where she met James Warren and, you know, then she323 became married and he and her father, they fully supported her on doing all her endeavours.
She was the first woman to publish a book in338 1865. Then she was the 3rd woman to publish some poetry books. She and her husband would host parties at their house and Mercy just had the ability to resonate with her colonial audience of men and women. She was very courageous. There was a ship SS Mercy Otis Warren in World War II that was launched in365 1943 in honour of her name and she also was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2004. It's time everybody, for Mercy Otis to be in our Statehouse, she was born in Barnstable, Massachusetts, and she's just done so much in Barnstable.
Of408 course, it is my district and I'm honoured to be here with you. Although I would love to introduce Carol Fiola who is going to be speaking also about Mercy Otis Warren and also Mary LeClair is part of this. Mary has done so much for the Barnstable area and426 also Senator Cyr if he jumps on, thank you.
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Well thank you very much Representative and I do not see senator Cyr at this time, so please go forward. Representative Fiola Nice to see you. Great to see you
REP FIOLA - HB 4081 - Senator450 Mr. Chairman, how are you? And if Chair Cabral is anywhere within earshot and of course to all the committee members, I join you today because I was in support of course of the bill filed by Representative Diggs, an act directing the Superintendent of State buildings to install a permanent memorial in the Massachusetts Statehouse in honour of Mercy Otis Warren. Please simply google her researcher, she was an incredible, incredible staunch advocate of independence from the tyranny of the 18th-century English Monarch rule.
She was a poet, an artist, a satirist, a historian, she was revolutionary and I was only made aware of her truly through Representative Diggs' initiatives, he sits on the committee that I co-chair on Tourism, Arts and Cultural development and I thought it was a marvellous idea. As I looked further, it went from marvellous to really an essential, essential piece to our statehouse memorials in whatever shape it ends up taking, which would then be up to the state office buildings and the artist David Lewis who is from the Cape who has already begun doing memorials to Mercy Otis Warren and would be lending and offering and donating his work and his artistic capabilities to ensure534 whatever form this memorial takes, that he would donate that time.
I just lastly want to say that I think this memorial would expand the collection of pieces honouring the woman who contributed to the success and freedom in the State House. If you are not remembering that the State House Art's Commission recognized in a 2020 document labelled women's subjects, women artists in the Massachusetts Statehouse Art collection, and there are only 18 images of women and we know there are countless halls and walls and rooms dedicated to the fine men of our history and forefathers.
So, I think it would be an excellent addition to growing the State House collection. I ask you to please consider this favourably if you could,597 to move forward and allow this to happen, only, of course, under the direction of603 the State House Superintendent of State Office Buildings, who has been consulted with this and looks forward to this as well. So, thank you all.
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And I see Mary Leclair, who I knew in my last life and I'm so thrilled to see you mary on this um screen when I served as governor's council years ago uh and thank you, Mr Chairman, for the time you've given us and very much appreciated. Well thank you very much, Representative, and629 thank you for all your good work and thank you very much, Representative Diggs, for Europe, you're bringing this to our attention the committee's attention and to the society's attention. So we thank you very much any further testimony from
legislators who have signed up senators here is um to be joining us, but I do not see him signed on as of yet. We will take him when he does join us and with that, if I don't see together legislators are constitutional officers to testify at this time, I'll just ask members of the committee, do you have any questions so far
questions?
Yes. Another representative from the Cape, go right ahead on mute yourself,
thank you Senator and Chairman, Pacheco and introduce yourself.
REP XIARHOS - Stephen Xiarhos from the fighting 5th Barnstable District right here in West Barnstable. I just wanted, you know, as a committee member, but also as a fellow Cape Cod, you know commend Rep Diggs and Mary Leclair who's one of our mentors and then721 I see Carolle from Fall River, another friend, this is special. So as a committee member, I'm going to tell you, you have my support, you know, and this woman, you know in Carroll Representative value, it's interesting that not many people have heard about her, but we should.
She's an American patriot. You know her friends were John Adams and Sam Adams; these were her friends. She fought for freedom. Her statue stands now today right down the street in front of our Barnstable courthouse. And you know what, she's from West Barnstable. So when Rep Diggs says Barnstable she actually lived in West Barnstable. She is a true American patriot, a poet. She had five children, and you know another thing I think is interesting and then we can continue; her husband, James became a Massachusetts House of Representatives member and rose to the rank of Speaker of the House.
That's pretty amazing that this woman back in the day, you know had herself and her family filled with patriotism. I love it, and I just want Rep Diggs and Rep Fiola and everyone to know you802 have my support and it's personal to me as well. Thank you.
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Thank you very much Representative and thank you for always your good spirit as well with everyone. Any other members of the committee have any comments or questions at this time. Members of the committee only hear none seeing none. Well now move on to testimony on this bill 4081 an act directing the superintendent of the state office buildings to install a permanent memorial in the massachusetts Statehouse and honor of Mercy Otis Warren. Mary Leclair, can you hear me? All right, this is Cape Cod Day Yes, mary we can hear you okay. Hi everybody, I feel like I'm home, I know everybody here except you and I'm very pleased to meet you Senator Marc Pacheco and
MARY LECLAIR - HB 4281 - I want to thank Representative Antonio Cabral for allowing me to speak in favour of House Bill 4281. First of884 all, my name is Mary Leclair and I'm from Mashpee, Massachusetts. I was an elected official in Barnstable County for 30 years and enjoyed every bit of it. First of all,895 this is indeed an honor because Mercy Otis Warren is very close to my heart. I often say in a speech that if we had known each other, we would have been friends. I feel strongly that this is an opportunity to educate the many visitors to our magnificent state Capitol building and for them to meet a woman who gave so much of her life making history for women.
Actually, this project is in line with the mission of the State House Art Commission for using their collection to educate and promote the ideals of public services, public services is so important. Mercy was not only an influential public servant, but she did it in a time when women were discouraged from doing so. Many of her writings in the very beginning, were under a man's name and were very successful. She wrote a couple of plays that were very satirical; they're wonderful. Later in her life, she wrote three books and her name was on the History of the Revolution.
Having had a career of over 30 years of elected positions, myself, as a county treasurer and a commissioner, I feel a sincere bond between us. I listened and I learned many lessons; first in banking and then politics. Mercy was self-educated, listening to her brother's lessons as they were taught by their uncle in a building that still exists in Barnstable County. When the brother went to Harvard, he sent all his papers back to her and she treasured every one of them. She read everyone thoroughly and we have a sculptor, it has already been mentioned, that. David Lewis He's amazing and he's brought her to life in a1012 full size statue in front of the Superior court in Barnstable, and now we want to bring her to the State House. So I ask your indulgence and to look favourably upon our request. Thank you so much for letting me be here today. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you very very much and thank you for your tremendous public service as well. Thank you very much mary leclair your testimony and questions from members of the committee of is with Claire
seeing none.1046 Hearing none. We'll move on from there any further testimony on house 40 to 81
from any member of the committee
hearing none. We will go back to hear testimony from Senator Cyr if he joins us. And if not at this time we will move to testimony on House 3217 and act authorizing the Commonwealth to convey certain land in boston petition filed by representative Holmes uh individuals signed up to testify. Today is frank rosario.1091
Good morning.
FRANK FAZIO - MASS BIOLOGICS - HB 4317 - Thank you, Mr Chairman and members of the committee for giving me the opportunity to testify this morning. My name is Frank Fazio, I served as a deputy executive Vice-chancellor of Mass biologics of U Mass Chan Medical School. By way of background, Mass biologics has a history of more than 125 years and it was originally operated by the Commonwealth Department of Public Health. On January 1, 1997, through the enactment of Chapter 334 of the Act of 1996, the Department of Public Health Biologic Laboratory was transferred to the University of Massachusetts establishing mass biologics.
I am proud to say that mass biologics is the only not for profit FDA licensed manufacturer of vaccines in the United States. For over 125 years, Mass biologics has worked to improve public health through applied research development and production of biologic products including vaccines, plasma derivatives and most recently monoclonal antibodies. Mass biologics currently manufacturers tetanus and diphtheria toxoid vaccines and distribute them nationwide. Mass biologics is located on the site of the former Boston1171 State Hospital in Mattapan.
Our1174 Mattapan campus consists of 90,000 square feet of research and administration building as well as 195,000 square foot manufacturing facility where we employ 160 employees. Additionally, we have a 40,000 square foot vector manufacturing centre at our site in Fall River where we employ another 25 employees. I come before you to support House Bill 4317, which will authorize the conveyance of a four-acre parcel of land on the site of the former Boston State Hospital to the Worcester City Campus Corporation of the U Mass Chan Medical School for future expansion of mass biologics. Worcester City Campus Corporation is a Chapter 180 not for profit entity, for the sole purpose of which is to foster support1223 and promote the University of Massachusetts in all its locations in particular with respect to real estate.
The four-acre parcel is contiguous to our current site directly behind our manufacturing facility and the legislation would require use consistent with current use and enable the growth of mass biologics. House Bill 4317 is modelled on previous legislation and has resulted in our current campus configuration. Mass biologics has worked closely with Representative Holmes, the Boston State community advisory committee and D cam on developing this legislation and I would like to thank them for their hard work. We are grateful to Rep Holmes and Senator Chang Diaz for their sponsorship of this legislation and encourage the committee to act favourably on it.
If enacted, this legislation will enable mass biologics to grow and I believe provide a significant benefit to the local community. I also1280 believe that the Boston state community advisory committee will be submitting a letter in support of this legislation. Thank you.
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Well thank you very much and frank. I'm sorry. Both1292 the pronunciation of your last name. Could you tell us your last name again? One more time please Not to worry senator. It's fazio fazio. Great thank you very much. I I know what it's like to have people mispronounce your last name but thank you very much and I apologize for that and thank you for your testimony. Any questions of but mr Fazio questions from the committee comments
hearing None. We thank you very much for your testimony
in that portion of the hearing will be closed. I'll go back to testimony on 4 - 8 1. is there any further testimony on 4 to 81
going on and seen No one that is requesting to be recognized at this time. That portion of the hearing will be closed. We have no life testimony for the following bills on the agenda. Those of you that have the agenda in front of you. We have senate 1705 from Senator Fattman an act designating january as peace officer history month And Senate 2602
a petition from Bruce car an act relative to the The Commonwealth Recovery Council. Those two petitions are on the list. No one has signed up for them and we will be taking electronic testimony on those bills. So anybody that has testimony can get that into the committee. Is there anyone else that would like1407 to testify on petitions that are before our hearing today?
Seeing No one Hearing? No one I want to thank all of you for joining today's hearing And this1423 will conclude the hearing. Do I have a motion from a member of the committee to adjourn? Message seconded, I have a motion made and seconded to adjourn the hearing. All those in favour signify by1442 saying aye, I post the hearing is now adjourned and just for well I should have said it before we adjourned I guess.
PACHECO1453 - But just for everybody's information, there are polls that are out there relative to extensions, and you will be getting a poll on favourable and those bills that we wish to place1468 and study at this time again on the extensions. That extension orders through April 15 I think thereabout But those bills that are being extended could be taken up prior to that date depending upon getting the information that we need on them and then any of the bills that are in the study, could be taken out of the study at another time. It's just that we don't have the appropriate information for us to act at this point1499 in time or there is no agreement1501 on moving forward at this point in time. But those actions need to be taken by Tuesday and so we'll ask everybody to really take a look at what you have been sent out and respond to the committee staff as soon1519 as possible.
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Thank you all very much for your participation. Have a wonderful rest of the day. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Senator. Well done, thank you paul. Thank you Mr smith I should say. And Walter, Timilty on the line and common Gentile and all the legislators. I see Chris Markey everybody has been here, I thank you all very much for your participation. Mhm.
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