Senator Humason Appointed to MA Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) has appointed Senator Don Humason (R-2^nd Hampden & Hampshire District) to the Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force (MASS-TF), pursuant to Section 3 of Chapter 48 of the Acts of 2014, An Act Encouraging the Improvement, Expansion, and Development of Military Installations in the Commonwealth.

“Senator Humason approached me and requested that I name him to the Task Force,” Senator Tarr stated.  “Having spoken with Don numerous times about military and veterans issues in our state, and knowing of his strong support for both Barnes Air National Guard Base and Westover Air Reserve Base which are in the cities of Westfield and Chicopee that he represents, I thought he would be the perfect member of our caucus to serve in this capacity. Furthermore, he already serves on the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs so Senator Humason is a good fit for the Task Force.”

The MASS-TF was created by the Patrick-Murray Administration to begin a long term initiative to support all military installations in Massachusetts in order to both collaborate with them and explore opportunities to bring new missions.  The Military Bond Bill, passed by the Legislature and supported by Senator Humason, put the Task Force’s structure into law to ensure continuity of Executive Branch, National Guard, Mass Development, Congressional, State Legislature, industry, and academic collaborations.

The six military installations in Massachusetts include Barnes Air National Guard Base, Fort Devens, the US Army’s Natick Soldier Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Joint Base Cape Cod, and Westover Air Reserve Base.

“I have long been a great admirer of the men and women of our nation’s armed services and have tried to support them however I could, personally, professionally, and politically,” Senator Humason said.  “I jumped at the chance to be named to the Task Force with the hope I could better serve and protect Barnes and Westover but also do anything possible to position the Commonwealth’s military installations in a favorable way for whatever the future may hold.”

Senator Humason is the State Senator for the 2^nd Hampden & Hampshire District and represents the communities of Agawam, Chicopee (7, 8A, 9A), Easthampton, Holyoke, Westfield, Southwick, Granville, Tolland, Russell, Montgomery, and Southampton.  He maintains a district office for the convenience of his constituents at 64 Noble Street, Westfield, 01085, and can be reached at 413-568-1366 or by e-mailing Donald.Humason@MASenate.gov.  His official website is www.DonHumason.org.

Remembering 9/11-A Message from Senator Tarr

May we all join today in the focused and solemn remembrance of that tragic day 13 years ago when terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners and attacked our nation and the ideals we stand for, killing 3,000 victims and leaving many others with lasting health issues that continue. May we also remember that the horrific acts perpetrated by al-Qaeda and orchestrated by Osama Bin Laden did not achieve their goal of crippling the American people, but rather united us and strengthened the resolve of this great nation to face terror with hope, unity, courage and commitment to justice, freedom and liberty for all.

In that spirit, my hope is that we will also take a few moments to remember not only those lost on that infamous day, but also U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, Winchester native Glen Anthony Doherty and others lost during an assault on a diplomatic compound in Benghazi, the many military and civilian personnel currently overseas continuing to protect this great nation from terrorism and making strides in advancing the ideals of democracy, and to recommit ourselves to the defense of liberty throughout this world as a measure of dedication to all those who have sacrificed for that noble cause.

There are several charitable organizations that have resulted from the September 11th attack that provide financial assistance to those struggling with illnesses and injuries from the attack, scholarship funds for children who lost parents, and memorial sites that mark that fateful day.  Click here to read a Huffington Post report of several of those charitable organizations.

Get Out and Vote!

Today is Primary Day in Massachusetts, with several contested races taking place for Constitutional Officers including Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and Treasurer, and seats in the Massachusetts Legislature, both the House and Senate, Congress, Governors Council, and county seats.

Polls are open across the state until 8 p.m., so if you haven’t done so already, please be sure to exercise your Constitutional right to cast a ballot for the candidates of your choice. If you’re not sure where to vote, please click here to find your polling place, along with the names of the candidates appearing on the Democratic and Republican ballots.