Downing Celebrates Read Across America Day
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Marking 2010 Read Across America Day, Senator Downing visited the preschoolers at Berkshire Children and Family in Pittsfield last
Friday and the 5th grade classroom at Kittredge Elementary School in Hinsdale this Monday. In both cases he was able to speak about state government and current events, read to the
students, and answer their questions.
Read Across America Day, a
program of the National Education Association (NEA) is now in its eighth year. Celebrated annually on Dr. Seuss's birthday, March 2, the day generates enthusiasm for reading
nationwide and focuses the country’s attention on how important it is to motivate children to read.
Photo Captions: Senator Downing visits
the preschoolers at Berkshire Children and Families and discusses his work at the State House with the Kittredge 5th graders.
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Downing Named Honorary Chair of the College Democrats of Massachusetts
On Tuesday, the College Democrats of Massachusetts announced the
appointment of Senator Downing as Honorary Chairman, a position formerly held by Senator Edward Kennedy. The College Democrats of Massachusetts are the official College outreach
wing of the Massachusetts Democratic Party and a branch of the College Democrats of America. Their goal is to advocate for college
students living in Massachusetts and for pro-student policies and legislation in the Commonwealth. |more|
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Massachusetts Senate Passes Safe Driving Legislation
On Tuesday the Senate passed a safe driving legislative package that bans texting while
driving. The legislation makes texting a primary offense, which means a driver can be pulled over specifically for the act of texting
while driving. It also establishes a fine of up to $200, two years in jail, or both for anyone who causes an accident while texting and driving. The bill also prohibits
“junior operators,” those under the age of 18, from both texting and talking on a cell phone while driving; and operators of public transit – including the BRTA and school buses
– are prohibited from any use of cell phones, except in the case of an emergency. |more|
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Community Spotlight: Official Flag of the Town of Lenox
The largest meeting room and function space in the Massachusetts State House is called the Great Hall (pictured
here). In 1992 the Bureau of State Office Buildings (BSB) began a project to improve the acoustics of the room by collecting the official flags of the 351 Commonwealth communities
and hanging them throughout the space. State House visitors are often awed with the degree of detail represented in the flags and how they proudly display a community’s
history and heritage.
BSB notes that many community
flags were designed by scout groups, quilting clubs, school children and town elders. Some towns have made a community-wide event out of designing their flag.
Currently Lenox does not have a flag displayed in the Great Hall. Interested residents or municipal officials are encouraged to contact the
Senator’s office if they are interested in learning more about presenting a flag to state officials.
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