THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 11, 2025 Page 19 BHRC | FROM PAGE 17 tricts to protect incumbents. They said this antiquated, partisan system allows the majority party to control the process and permits "legislators to choose their voters." They noted that the idea of an independent commission has been endorsed in the past by the League of Women Voters, Common Cause and former Govs. Michael Dukakis, Mitt Romney and Deval Patrick. “The measure strengthens transparency and objectivity in the redistricting process by prohibiting recent elected officials from serving and by including public comment periods and reporting requirements,” says amendment sponsor Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough). “By adopting best practices already used in other states, this reform ensures that Massachusetts moves toward a fairer and nonpartisan redistricting process.” Opponents of the commission say elected members of the Legislature, who are accountable to the voters, should be responsible for the important job of redistricting. They said the task should not be undertaken by an appointed commission with unknown members who would not have direct accountability. They cited studies showing that these so-called "independent" redistricting commissions are no more or less independent than commissions established by Legislatures. MIKE PENCE WILL BE AWARDED JFK PROFILE IN COURAGE AWARD – The 2025 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award will be presented to former Vice President Mike Pence “for putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on January 6, 2021”. The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award is presented annually to public servants for making a courageous decision of conscience without regard for the personal or professional consequences. JFK’s daughter Caroline Kennedy and her son Jack Schlossberg will present the award at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum on May 4, 2025 in Boston. “Political courage is not outdated in the United States," said Kennedy and Schlossberg in a joint statement. At every level of government, leaders are putting country first and not backing down. Despite our political differences, it is hard to imagine an act of greater consequence than Vice President Pence’s decision to certify the 2020 presidential election during an attack on the U.S. Capitol. Upholding his oath to the Constitution and following his conscience, the Vice President put his life, career, and political future on the line. His decision is an example of President Kennedy’s belief that an act of political courage can change the course of history.” “I am deeply humbled and honored to be the recipient of the Kennedy Profile in Courage Award,” said Pence. “I have been inspired by the life and words of President John F. Kennedy since my youth and am honored to join the company of so many distinguished Americans who have received this recognition in the past.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “It’s an honor to host high school students in the House Chamber as they participate in Student Government Day. It’s very important to engage our young people in our democratic process, and I encourage all of the students participating to become active in state government.” ---House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) on more than 350 high school juniors and seniors from across the state gathered at the Statehouse last week to participate in Student Government Day, an annual program organized by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. “Massachusetts is the medical research capital of the country. Not only do our public research institutions rely on NIH funding for their groundbreaking research, job creation and academic competitiveness, but our residents depend on these studies to propel lifesaving medical advancements. I won’t allow the Trump Administration to take unlawful actions that play politics with our public health.” ---Attorney General Andrea Campbell on joining a coalition of Your Hometown News Delivered! EVERETT ADVOCATE MALDEN ADVOCATE REVERE ADVOCATE SAUGUS ADVOCATE One year subscription to The Advocate of your choice: $200 per paper in-town per year or $225 per paper out-of-town per year. Name_________________________________________ Address_______________________________________ City_______________ State_______ Zip ____________ CC# _______________________________ Exp. _____ Sec. code____ Advocate (City):___________________ Clip & Mail Coupon with Credit Card, Check or Money Order to: Advocate Newspapers Inc. PO Box 490407, Everett, MA 02149 16 attorneys general that is suing the Trump Administration in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts over its unlawful attempt to disrupt grant funding issued by the National Institutes of Health. “The evidence is clear—child sexual abuse is preventable. Prevention means not only equipping communities with the tools to stop abuse before it happens but also ensuring families have access to resources when concerns arise. Addressing problematic sexual behavior is an essential piece of this work. By expanding education and support, we can help children develop healthy behaviors and provide caregivers with the guidance they need.” ---Jennifer Valenzuela, Executive Director of the Children’s Trust, marking the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month. “Play-based learning provides young children with engaging experiences that support their cognitive and social-emotional development. These grants will help provide our schools, from Northampton to Fall River, with funding to create environments that reflect the ways in which young children learn.” ---Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler announcing the awarding of $1.2 million in grants to seven school districts to incorporate playful learning strategies into preschool through third grade classrooms. HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of March BHRC| SEE PAGE 20
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