Massachusetts Pledges Full Support to Troops

State House and Senate adopt resolutions for the record

Mon December 3rd, 2007

Rep. Elizabeth Poirier

BOSTON – Massachusetts lawmakers declared Thursday that the state of Massachusetts "will not abandon the troops while they serve in the field" in a resolution passed in the state assembly.  Following the lead in several other states, and with the assistance of an organization called Vets for Victory, State Representative Elizabeth Poirier (R) N. Attleboro, and State Senator Steve Brewer (D) Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin, successfully adopted the resolutions in a bi-partisan effort that declare full support to the troops. Massachusetts is now the fourth state to adopt the troop resolution, according to Steve Russell, Chairman of Vets for Victory. 

Lawmakers adopted identical resolutions in both the House and the Senate.  In addition to acknowledging and praising the sacrifices Massachusetts troops have made for the nation, the resolutions state that Massachusetts will be "on record that we will not abandon our service men and women in this time of war and pledges full support to them."

"Vets for Victory would like to thank the people of Massachusetts and especially Representative Poirer for her tireless efforts in getting this resolution before the legislature," declared Russell.  "It is the type of support that our soldiers need to hear, especially given their great successes this year."

Massachusetts Lawmakers sign on to not Abandon Troops

Joint resolution up for vote soon

Fri November 9th, 2007

BOSTON – As Veteran's Day approaches, Massachusetts lawmakers have crafted a strong show of support to soldiers currently serving abroad.  State Representative Elizabeth Poirier (R) N. Attleboro has called upon her peers to show bi-partisan support to the troops by signing on to "an effort to show our troops that we do in fact support them and their mission."  Her work has drawn the attention and support of her peers. State Senator and Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Steve Brewer (D) Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin, and State Representative Anthony Verga (D) Essex were the first to join her as co-sponsors of the resolution.

"We were very excited to hear the news," said retired Lt. Col. Steve Russell, chairman of Vets for Victory, an organization that advocates for the soldier in the national debate about the war.  "Representatives Poirier and Verga, and Senator Brewer have clearly shown what is possible when lawmakers put our troops ahead of their political differences."

The resolution now has seventeen bipartisan sponsors according to Elaine Hyland from Rep. Poirier's office.  The sign on period will continue through next week with a vote expected while all members are in session.

Massachusetts Challenged not to Abandon Troops

Joint resolution gains traction in General Court

Mon July 30th, 2007

BOSTON – Massachusetts troops may get a boost of support from the state legislature according to Vets for Victory, an organization that has been working resolutions across the country to declare that the troops will not be abandoned.  Massachusetts State Representative Elizabeth Poirier (R) N. Attleboro, has drafted a joint resolution that will put such a declaration on the state record.  "We are encouraged by her leadership and will continue to support such efforts that stake a position for our troops" said Lt. Col. Steve Russell, founder and chairman of Vets for Victory.  Russell gained national noteriety as a leading commander in the hunt and capture of Saddam Hussein. "Massachusetts is now leading the way on our current troop resolution efforts."

Rep. Elizabeth Poirier

"Rep. Poirier greatly appreciates the assistance we have received from Lt. Col. Russell's organization.  It is truly an honor to work with him in this effort," said legislative aide Elaine Hyland from the Poirier's office. Representative Poirier serves the ranking member on the Veterans' Affairs committee and has been a staunch advocate of veteran and troop issues.  Now she is working to rally fellow legislators in an effort to put the state's support for the troops and their mission on the public record. 

That effort is being applauded by Massachusett's Iraq veterans as well.  "It's reassuring to know that Americans on the home front appreciate the sacrifices that we soldiers and our families are making." offered Mike Wagner, an Army officer assigned to post-graduate work at Tufts University.  "Legislation declaring support for the troops and our mission could have nothing but a positive impact on the morale of our fellow soldiers."  Wagner should know.  He served under Russell as an infantry company commander in Saddam's hometown of Tikrit.

Soldiers are not alone.  "I'm hoping for the best," said Revere resident Janet Healy-Hendrickson who also heads Vets for Victory Massachusetts. It was Hendrickson that approached the legislators after talking to veterans and concerned citizens about declaring full support to our troops.  That support may be heard loud and clear in the coming weeks with the passing of the resolution. "It is not just about words," said Russell.  "It is about commitment.  Putting Massachusetts' position on the public record will be a strong reminder to keep that commitment."

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Resolution - adopted November 29th, 2007

IN RECOGNITION TO

SUPPORT THE TROOPS AND THEIR MISSION

RESOLVED,

              WHEREAS, ALMOST TWO-MILLION AMERICAN MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN (ACTIVE, GUARD, AND RESERVE), ARE ON DUTY AROUND THE WORLD.  MANY OF THEM ARE ENGAGED IN COMBAT IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN FIGHTING THE “WAR ON TERROR”; AND

              WHEREAS, MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ARE MAKING CONSIDERABLE PERSONAL SACRIFICE INCLUDING LONG SEPARATIONS FROM THEIR FAMILIES; AND

              WHEREAS, MANY TROOPS HAVE MADE SUPREME SACRIFICES INCLUDING SERIOUS WOUNDS AND LOSS OF LIFE; AND

WHEREAS, UNITED STATES MILITARY CONTINUES TO PROTECT ALL AMERICANS FROM THOSE WHO ARE AVOWED ENEMIES; AND   

RESOLVED, THAT THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF MASSACHUSETTS IS ON RECORD THAT WE WILL NOT ABANDON OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN IN THIS TIME OF WAR AND PLEDGES FULL SUPPORT TO THEM; AND

RESOLVED, THAT THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN IS PROUD OF THE SACRIFICES AND BRAVERY OF OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN AND EXPRESSES GRATITUDE FOR THEIR HEROIC SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, THAT THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN ACKNOWLEDGES, SUPPORTS AND ABOVE ALL HONORS OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN AS THEY CONTINUE TO PROTECT OUR COUNTRY AS “VETS FOR VICTORY”; AND BE IT FURTHER

              RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THESE RESOLUTIONS BE FORWARDED BY THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO “VETS FOR VICTORY”.

PRESENTED BY:  _________________________        ________________________________

                                  ELIZABETH A. POIRIER           SENATOR STEPHEN M. BREWER

                                  STATE REPRESENTATIVE      

                                 __________________________

                                 ANTHONY J. VERGA

                                 STATE REPRESENTATIVE

Lawmakers sponsoring this resolution:

Sen. Scott P. Brown

Sen. Benjamin Downing

Sen. Steven Panagiotakos

Sen. Richard R. Tisei

Sen. Brian A. Joyce

Sen. Thomas McGee

Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr.

Rep. Mary S. Rogeness

Rep. Fred “Jay” Barrows

Rep. Daniel K. Webster

Rep. Donald F. Humason, Jr.

Rep. Richard J. Ross

Rep. Todd M. Smola

Rep. Steven D’Amico

Rep. Paul K. Frost

Rep. Michael F. Rush

Rep. Susan W. Gifford

Rep. Jeffrey D. Perry

Rep. Bradford Hill

Rep. Robert P. Spellane

Rep. Geoffrey D. Hall

Rep. John J. Binienda

Rep. Paul McMurtry

Rep. Stephen R. Canessa

Rep. Paul J. Loscocco

Rep. Cleon H. Turner

Rep. Lida E. Harkins

Rep. William G. Greene

Rep. Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr.

Rep. Charles A. Murphy

Rep. Theodore C. Speliotis

Rep. Joyce A. Spiliotis

Rep. Robert L. Rice, Jr.

Rep. Patrick M. Natale

Rep. Christine E. Canavan

Rep. Stephen DiNatale

Rep. Paul C. Casey

Rep. David L. Flynn

Rep. James R. Miceli

Rep. Stephen P. LeDuc

Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein

Rep. John F. Quinn

Rep. Frank M. Hynes

Rep. Anne Gobi

Rep. Karyn E. Polito

Rep. Thomas P. Kennedy

Rep. Eugene L. O’Flaherty

Rep. Angelo M. Scaccia