WHEREAS, THE FEDERAL PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA, DOCTOR HEINZ FISCHER, HAS CONFERRED THE GRAND DECORATION OF HONOUR IN GOLD WITH STAR FOR SERVICES TO THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA ON SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, MARC R. PACHECO; AND

WHEREAS, FEDERAL PRESIDENT DOCTOR HEINZ FISCHER APPLIES A STRICT STANDARD IN SUGGESTING CANDIDATES FOR THE GRAND DECORATION OF HONOUR DISTINCTION IN ORDER TO RESPECT THE INTENTIONS OF THE LEGISLATORS AND THE DISTINCTION IS ONLY CONFERRED UPON PERSONS HAVING ACTED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO PROVIDE OUTSTANDING PUBLIC BENEFIT AND/OR EXCELLENT SERVICES TO THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA; AND

WHEREAS, SENATOR MARC R. PACHECO HAS FOSTERED PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA ON MANY FRONTS, INCLUDING CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS, SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES, NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT, AND IS A MOST DESERVING RECIPIENT OF THE GRAND DECORATION OF HONOUR DISTINCTION ; AND

WHEREAS, THE GRAND DECORATION OF HONOUR IN GOLD WITH STAR FOR SERVICES TO THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA IS THE FOURTH HIGHEST DECORATION OF MERIT THAT THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA CAN CONFER ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL; NOW THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, THAT THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE HEREBY CONGRATULATES SENATOR MARC R. PACHECO ON BEING CONFERRED THE GRAND DECORATION OF HONOUR IN GOLD WITH STAR FOR SERVICES TO THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THESE RESOLUTIONS BE TRANSMITTED FORTHWITH BY THE CLERK OF THE SENATE TO SENATOR MARC R. PACHECO.