Page 2 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2020 Governor holds ceremonial bill signing for DiDomenico’s “breakfast after the bell” bill G overnor Charlie Baker held a ceremonial bill For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net signing for State Senator Sal DiDomenico’s bill, An Act regarding breakfast after the bell. While the Governor offi - cially signed this bill into law back in August, the Administration and the Legislature had not yet been able to come together for a signing ceremony, as was often customary prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In lieu of an in-person ceremony, the Governor hosted a virtual ceremony on October 14 in which DiDomenico and his partners on the Rise and Shine Massachusetts coalition were able to speak to the importance of this bill and witness the Governor sign the legislation into law. “Breakfast after the bell has been a top policy priority of mine for years now,” said DiDomenico. “It was a great pleasure to join with my friends on the Rise and Shine coalition, my House partners, my staff and members of the Administration today to offi cially close the chapter on this legislative campaign and celebrate Sal DiDomenico State Senator this law that will undoubtedly help feed thousands of kids across Massachusetts. Of course, we know that more work lies ahead to tackle food insecurity and childhood hunger – especially in light of the COVID pandemic. However, I also know this entire team is ready to pick up where we left off and continue our work to ensure that all children in this Commonwealth have access to the food and nutrition that they need and deserve. I can’t wait to continue partnering with them and look forward to the work that lies ahead.” DiDomenico has been a longtime champion of anti-hunger policies in the Massachusetts Senate and has sponsored this “breakfast after the bell” bill for the past two legislative sessions. Earlier in the year, he was the recipient of the 2020 Breakfast Hero Award from the national anti-hunger campaign No Kid Hungry for his advocacy on “breakfast after the bell” and his work to end childhood hunger in the Commonwealth. This new law is the culmination of many years of work and advocacy by DiDomenico, his staff and food security advocates from across the state. Massachusetts previously required all schools with high percentages of students from low-income families to provide breakfast to every eligible student. However, because breakfast was typically off ered before the bell and in the cafeteria, participation levels have GOVERNOR | SEE PAGE 8
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