Session DetailsSenate Session (Full Formal with Calendar)

The Senate will come to order. The chair will ask all members, guests, and staff to please rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The senator from 1st Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, for what reason do you rise?

Well, Madam President, first to say how wonderful it is to see you on the rostrum and second to say I doubt the presence of a quorum.

He doubts the presence of a quorum.

[INAUDIBLE] not present. The court offices will close the doors and ask--

The members to come in.

And ask the members to come in.

A quorum is present. Will the members take their seats and subdue their conversations? The senator from Middlesex, Ms Friedman, has presented resolutions which the clerk will read.

By Senators Friedman, Lesser, DiDomenico, and others-- resolutions recognizing the Commonwealth's athletes who were selected to compete in the 23rd Olympic Winter Games.

The question now comes on adoption of the resolutions. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the resolutions are adopted. One matter comes before the Senate for its final passage requiring the adoption of an emergency preamble. And under the Constitution, there is required a standing vote. An act designating a certain bridge in the city of Fall River as the Ronald Costa Bridge, House Number 4031. Those members voting in the affirmative, please rise to be counted.

16. Those opposed, please rise and be counted. 16 members having voted in the affirmative, no members having voted in the negative, the emergency preamble is adopted. A brief recess.

The Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to whom was referred the petition accompanied by Bill Set Number 112 of Eileen M. Donoghue, Attorney General Maura Healey, Jennifer L. Benson, [? Denise Provo, ?] and other members of the general court for legislation to establish a student tuition recovering fund reports recommending the same ought not to pass under Joint Rule 10, the time within which the petition was tried to be reported out having inspired.

Senator from Bristol and Norfolk, Mr. Feeney, moves that the rules be suspended so that the matter may be considered forthwith. Is there an objection? The chair hears none. The question comes on accepting the adverse report. The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien, moves that the report be amended as substitution of the bill. The question comes on the substitution of the report. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the bill is substituted for the report. First reading of the bill--

An act establishing a student tuition recovery fund, Senate Number 112.

Under Senate Rule 27, the bill will be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Report of a committee--

The Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petition accompanied by Bill Set Number 130 of Barbara A L'Italien, Marjorie C. Decker, James B. Eldridge, Paul R. Hiro, and other members of the general court for legislation to remove fees for security freezes and disclosures of consumer credit reports recommending the same ought not to pass under the Joint Rule, 10 the time within which the committee had to bring it out having expired.

The senator from 2nd Essex, Ms. Lovely, moves that the rules be suspended so the matter may be considered here forthwith. Is there an objection? The chair hears none. The question comes on accepting the adverse report. The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien, moves that the report be amended by substitution of a new draft, the title of which the clerk will read.

Ms. L'italien moves to amend the report by substituting a new draft-- "An Act relative to Consumer Protection for Security Breaches," Senate Number 2304.

The question comes on substitution of the report. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the bill is substituted for the report. First reading of the bill--

An act relative to consumer protection from security breaches, Senate Number 2304.

Under Senate Rule 27, the bill will be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Report of a committee--

The Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to whom was referred the petition accompanied by Bill Set Number 134 of Barbara A L'Italien for legislation relative to online lottery products reports recommending the same ought not to pass under Joint Rule 10, the time for the committee having to report having expired.

Senator from 1st Plymouth and Bristol, Mr. Pacheco, moves that the rules be suspende so that the matter may be considered forthwith. Is there an objection? The chair hears none. The question comes on accepting the adverse report. Senator for Essex and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien, moves that the report be amended by substitution of the bill. The question comes on substitution of the report. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the bill is substituted for the report. First reading of the bill--

An act relative to online lottery products, Senate Number 134.

Under Senate Rule 27, the bill will be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Report of a committee--

The Committee on Ways and Means to whom was referred the Senate bill establishing a sick leave for [? Linda Tourneys Williams, ?] an employee of the Department of Transitional Assistance, Senate Number 2251, reports recommending the same ought to pass with an amendment inserting before the enacting clause "An emergency preamble," Karen E. Spilka for the committee.

The senator from Norfolk and Suffolk, Mr. Rush, asks unanimous consent that the rules be suspended to allow the matter to be considered forthwith. Is there an objection? The chair hears none and the rules are suspended. The question now comes on ordering the bill to a third reading coming first on an amendment as recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the Ways and Means and the amendment is adopted. The question now comes on ordering the bill to a third reading as amended. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the bill is ordered to a third reading. Third reading the bill--

An act establishing a sick leave bank for [? Linda Tourneys Williams, ?] an employee of the Department of Transitional Assistance, Senate Number 2251 Amended.

The question now comes on passing the bill to be engrossed. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the bill is passed to be engrossed. Paper from the House.

The house petition of Hannah Kane and Michael O. Moore by vote of the town for legislation to authorize the Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to convey certain parcels of land to the town of Shrewsbury comes from the house with the endorsement that Joint Rule 12 has been suspended with reference [INAUDIBLE] to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

The Senator from Worcester and Middlesex, Mr. Tran-- oh, OK, excuse me. The senator from Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth, Mr. Timilty-- no, I'm ahead of myself. I should be here, right? The question comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the petition will be referred to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. It's very hard to hear.

Several matters come before the Senate for their final passage-- an act further addressing the charter of the town of Middleton, an act relative to the sewer construction and private way of maintenance and improvement funded the town of Barnstable, an act establishing a residency requirement for the second and subsequent terms of the town manager of the town of Ipswich, an act exempting [? Nicholas L. Martone ?] from the maximum age requirement for firefighters in the town of North Andover. The question comes on passing the bills to be enacted. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the bills are passed to be enacted. The bills will be signed by the president and laid before the governor for his approbation. Brief recess.

Proceeding with the orders of the [? J. ?] The chair hears none. On Page 1, the first item is Calendar Item 133, Senate Number 2286. The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the bill is order to a third reading. The next item is Calendar Item 134, House Number 3992. The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed no. The ayes have it. And the bill is ordered to a third reading. The next item is Calendar Item 135, House Number 4028. The question comes on ordering a bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the bill is ordered to a third reading.

On Page 2, the next item is Calendar Item 136, House Number 4077. The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the bill is ordered to a third reading. Next item is Calendar Item 137 House Number 4078. The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. The bill is ordered to a third reading.

Next item this Calendar Item 138, House Number 4079. The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the bill is ordered to a third reading. The next item is Calendar Item 139, House Number 4084. The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the bill is ordered to a third reading. The next item is Calendar Item 140, Senate Number 591.

Pass.

The chair hears pass. The next item is Calendar Item 141, Senate Number 676.

Pass.

The chair hears pass. Brief recess--

Return to items previously passed-- several amendments have been-- this one? On Page 2, the first item passed over is Calendar Item 140, Senate Number 591. The question now comes on ordering the bill to a third reading coming first on an amendment as recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means. The senator from 1st Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.

Thank you, Madam President, and through you to the members. Madam President, I'm hoping that we can get an explanation of the bill that currently pends before the Senate. I know that there's a Ways and Means amendment to that bill. And I'm hoping that we can get an explanation of that amendment as well prior to us taking up the various amendments that have been offered to the bill. And Madam President, I move the Senate be in a brief recess. The Senate will be in a brief recess.

In Session-- senator from second Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Spilka.

Thank you Madam President, and through you to the members. I would like to first start by thanking the gentleman from Acton and the gentleman from Springfield who both have worked on this bill before us in their committees, and have been so helpful, and worked hard to help bring this bill to the floor. Patient confidentiality is a fundamental element of the patient-provider relationship and is essential, really essential in helping patients feel comfortable to access care and communicating with their health care providers. Confidentiality is at the core of that relationship. Individuals are understandably reluctant to share information with their provider when confidentiality is simply not assured. Because they fear that their personal very, very personal information may be disclosed.

Despite widespread recognition of the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality, some private insurers-- not all in the Commonwealth-- some private insurers current billing and claims communications practices unintentionally but routinely violate basic confidentiality protections for anyone that is covered as a dependent on another person's policy. Due to fears that a parent may see a summary of payments formed, some young adults or minors may choose to forego certain types of treatment. Alternately, a miner may choose instead to use a publicly funded community clinic in order to assure confidentiality which shifts costs to publicly funded programs that are already overburdened when private insurance could cover it.

In the cases of domestic violence, disclosure on confidential health care information to an abusive partner or a family member may make that violence worse. And that is something to note. This bill came to the forefront. This issue came to the--

May I ask you to subdue your conversations? We cannot hear the lady at the rostrum.

Thank you, Madam President. This issue came to the forefront when working with the Connors Center for Women at Brigham and Women's Hospital. The prior head of the Connors Center, Paula Johnson, who is now President of Wellesley University, brought this to my attention. We had been working on some health care issues for gender disparities. And she said, you know, we're finding that some women are not coming to the Center for fear that their explanation of benefits will go to their spouse or partner who happens to be abusive. And they are afraid. They are simply afraid that their partner will find out that they sought health care, that they talked to somebody else about their situation, and that they will be subject to further and worse abuse.

And so we talked about what can we do to prevent that from happening. And this is how we came up with this bill. It's a simple bill. But it is a tremendously important bill that will help hundreds of women, and folks across the Commonwealth, and kids. This bill remedies those situations by requiring that insurance carriers issue the common summary of payments forms which are usually called the explanation of benefits or EOB forms at the member level. And it allows each member, each insured member, to choose their preferred method of receiving these forms.

So it could be a person can say, I would like this to be through my email, please send it to me, or to a PO box, or whatever. And that person can designate that information. If it requires the Division of Insurance to define sensitive health care services that cannot be identified on the common summary of payments and allows patients to request suppression of the summary of payment forms for a specific service or procedure, the division of insurance is required to promulgate regulations and develop a plan to educate providers and consumers so that they are aware of their rights and their responsibilities to promote and ensure compliance.

This bill is a crucial step to ensure that all residents-- and I stress that word all-- residents of the Commonwealth can not only get access but ensure access when needed to routinely and secure health care services. And I hope that there will be a yes and people will support this bill. Thank you.

Yes, the senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tar.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, pursuant to Rule 13B, I move there be a Republican caucus until the hour of 3:30 PM.

Under Article 13B, it is so ordered.

The Senate will be in session. Several members that have been filed will be considered at this time. Amendment Number 1 which the clerk will read--

It's been withdrawn.

Number 1 has been withdrawn. Amendment Number 2 offered by the senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, which the clerk will read.

Amendment Number 2 by Mr. Tarr, consent.

The question now comes on adoption of the Ways and Means amend--

No, on the amendment.

On the amendment. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed no. The ayes have it. And the amendment is adopted.

A brief recess, Madam President.

A brief recess.

The Senate is in session. The question now comes on ordering-- the question comes on the Third Amendment offered by the senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Spilka, the title of which is the corrected amendment which the clerk will read.

Amendment Number 3 by Ms. Spilka corrective amendment.

All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the amendment is passed to be engrossed.

And remember, Amendment Number 4 has been withdrawn.

And Amendment Number 4 offered by the senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, has been withdrawn.

OK.

All right.

Where's the flow sheet?

[INAUDIBLE] on adopting the Ways and Means amendment. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the Ways and Means amendment is adopted. Go back? The question now comes on ordering the bill to a third reading as amended. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the bill is ordered to a third reading. Third reading of the bill--

An act to protect access to confidential health care, Senate Number 2296 Amended.

The bill has been read a third time. The question now comes on passing the bill to be engrossed. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the bill is passed to be engrossed. OK, the next item passed over is Calendar Item 141, Senate Number 676. The question now comes on ordering the bill to a third reading coming first on an amendment is recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means. The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, has offered an amendment the title of which the clerk will read.

Amendment Number 1 by Mr. Tarr, Finish Line.

The question comes on adoption of the amendment. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the amendment is adopted. The question now comes on adoption of the Ways and Means amendment. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the Ways and Means and the amendment is adopted. The question now comes on ordering the bill to a third reading as amended. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the bill is ordered to a third reading.

A brief recess?

Brief recess.

The Senate is now in session. The chair recognizes the senator from 1st Middlesex, Ms Donoghue.

Good afternoon, Madam President, and through you to the members. Senate Bill 2297 broadens the course eligibility requirements for the Community College Training Incentive Program. This supports offerings that are aimed at closing the skills gap. According to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the Community College Training Incentive Program encourages public community college training opportunities that promote workforce development, minimize the shortage of skilled workers, and raise economic opportunity.

Grants are awarded through this program to expand vocationally oriented course offerings and develop partnerships with Massachusetts employers. Given the need to keep our workforce pipeline flowing with ever increasing supplies of talent, this program sounds about as controversial as motherhood and apple pie. But a close reading of the incentive as described in 15F of Chapter 15A reveals a fundamental flaw that this bill will correct.

Currently, the Commonwealth can award grants for not for credit courses, an unnecessary limitation. Madam President, I can't hear myself talk.

Hold on.

[AUDIO OUT] will be temporarily laid aside.

I wasn't able to hear myself.

The lady cannot hear. So please, [AUDIO OUT] your conversations. And let us listen to the lady who is at the rostrum.

And I will just sum up this bill, Madam President. So what this bill does is it corrects what was probably unintentional. But it's a limitation. Currently, the grant does not provide for credit courses, only not for credit courses. There is no sound policy rationale that exists for making this so. And for example, it would make a course for a biotechnology technician ineligible. This is a degree that is important for our workforce development.

So this would expand the program to include for credit courses so that community colleges can more effectively educate our workforce. The Senate unanimously passed this bill last session. To allow community colleges to realize their potential today in training the workers of tomorrow that Massachusetts is so desperately in need of, I urge the passing of this bill. And Madam President, I would request that when a vote is taken it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.

When a vote is taken, it will be taken-- the senator asks that when a vote is taken it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays. Those members joining with her, please and be counted.

A sufficient number, Madam President.

A sufficient number of members having arisen, the yeas and nays will be ordered.

This matter, however, will be temporarily laid aside.

This matter, however, will be temporarily laid aside.

A brief recess.

Brief recess.

One matter comes before the Senate for its final passage-- an act designating a certain bridge in the city of Fall River as the Ronald Costa bridge. The question comes on passing the bill to be enacted. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed no. The ayes have it. And the bill is passed to be enacted and will be signed by the president and laid before the governor for his approbation.

A brief recess.

Brief recess.

If there is no objection, the senator from 1st Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, asks that no action be taken on Bill Number 2297, Amendment Number 1. Is there an objection? The chair hears none. The senator from 1st Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.

Thank you, Madam President, and through you to the members. And Madam President, I want to thank the Committee on Ways and Means and also the gentle lady from Lowell who is a proponent of the underlying measure that stands before the Senate. The redraft that I offer in the hands of the clerk creates a feasibility study for the creation of a so-called Finish Line Grant Program.

And the point of such a program, Madam President, would be to come to the financial aid of students who are at risk of not being able to finish their course of study because of a financial incapacity. And so Madam President, what we would hope to do through the development of such a grant program is to ensure that a student that is at risk of not completing their course of study be able to do so through supplemental resources that could be provided after the first year of any particular course of study.

Now, Madam President, it is a shame to lose students who we have invested in and who have done good and diligent work in their course of study but suddenly find themselves with an inability to finish that course. This program, ultimately we hope, would be a way to make sure that that doesn't happen and that we don't lose those students on the way to completion and graduation. So Madam President, I hope that the redrafted amendment is adopted. And I move the Senate be in a brief recess.

Brief recess.

The Senate will be in session. Amendment Number 1 has been filed as a redrafted amendment. The title of which the clerk will read.

Amendment Number 1 by Mr. Tarr, Finish Line. The question comes on adoption of the amendment. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the amendment is adopted. The question now comes on ordering the bill to a third reading as amended. All those in favor, say aye Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the bill is ordered to a third reading. Third reading of the bill--

An act expanding the Community College Training Incentive Program, Senate Number 2297 Amended. A brief recess.

Brief recess.

The Senate will come to order. The senator from 1st Middlesex, Ms. Donoghue, has asked for a roll call. The bill has been read a third time. The question now comes on passing the bill to be engrossed. The clerk will call the roll.

Joseph A. Boncore.

Yea.

Yea. Michael D. Brady.

Yea.

Yea. William N. Brownsberger.

Yea.

Yea. Sonia Chang-Diaz. Cynthia Stone Creem.

Yea.

Yea. Julian Cyr. Viriato M. deMacedo.

Yea.

Yea. Sal N. DiDomenico.

Yea.

Yea. Eileen M. Donoghue.

Yea.

Yea. James B. Eldridge. Ryan C. Fattman.

Yea.

Yea. Paul R. Feeney.

Yea. Cindy F. Friedman. Anne M Gobi.

Yea.

Yea. Adam G. Hinds. Donald F. Humason Jr.

Yea.

Yea. Patricia D. Jehlen. John F. Keenan.

Yea.

Yea. Eric P. Lesser.

Yea.

Yea. Jason M. Lewis. Barbara A. L'Italien.

Yea.

Yea. Joan B. Lovely.

Yea.

Yea. Mark C. Montigny.

Yea.

Yea. Michael O. Moore.

Yea.

Yea. Patrick M. O'Connor.

Yea.

Yea. Kathleen O'Connor Ives.

Yea.

Yea. Mark R. Pacheco.

Yea.

Yea. Michael J. Rodrigues.

Yea.

Yea. Stanley C. Rosenberg.

Yea.

Yea. Richard J. Ross.

Yea.

Yea. Michael F. Rush.

Yea.

Yea. Karen E. Spilka.

Yea.

Yea. Bruce E. Tarr.

Yea.

Yea. Walter F. Timilty.

Yea

Yea. Dean A. Tran. James T. Welch.

Yea.

Yea.

Have all the members been recorded? The senator from the Cape and the Islands, Mr. Cyr.

Thank you, Madam President. [INAUDIBLE]

Julian Cyr votes yea.

The senator from 5th Middlesex, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you Madam President. I'd like to be recorded in the affirmative.

Jason M. Lewis votes yea.

The senator from Worcester and Norfolk, Mr. Fattman.

[INAUDIBLE]

He voted.

Oh, he voted, all right. Senator Middlesex, Ms. Friedman, 4th Middlesex.

Cynthia Friedman votes yea.

The senator from Middlesex and Worcester, Mr. Eldridge. Madam President, [? was I recorded? ?]

James B. Eldridge.

Yea.

Yea.

The senator from Berkshire Hampshire Franklin and Hampden, Mr. Hinds.

Madam President, [INAUDIBLE]

Adam G. Hinds.

Yea.

Yea.

The senator from 2nd Norfolk, Ms. Chang-Diaz.

[INAUDIBLE]

Sonia Chang-Diaz.

Yea.

Yea.

The senator from 2nd Middlesex, Ms. Jehlen.

[INAUDIBLE]

Patricia D. Jehlen votes yea.

The senator from Middlesex and Suffolk, Mr. DiDomenico. Have you already been recorded? I'm sorry.

That's everybody.

Has everyone been recorded?

Yes, thank you, Madam President.

On this matter, 35 have voted in the affirmative, one in the negative. The matter is passed to be engrossed. Brief recess.

The senator from third Middlesex, Mr. Barrett, filed an order, the title of which the clerk will read.

Order relative to greeting the Committee on Telecommunications Utilities and Energy until February, 21, 2018 within which time to make its final report on certain current Senate documents relative to monthly minimum reliability contributions.

Under rules, the matter will be referred to the Committee on Rules. The report of a committee--

The Committee on Rules [INAUDIBLE] concurrently to whom it was referred said the Senate audit reports recommend the same audit to be adopted. Mark C. Montigny for the committee.

The question comes on adoption of the order. Senator from 1st Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.

Madam President, [? I appoint ?] a parliamentary inquiry.

The chair will state his point parliamentary-- I can't--

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I'm hoping the clerk could inform the membership of the number of bills that are in this particular order and the length of time that the order would be extended for if it is to be granted. The clerk will-- go ahead.

Two bills in the order to be extended for one week.

Madam President?

Two bills to be extended for one week. Senator from 1st Essex and Middlesex--

Thank you, Madam President, and through you to the members. Madam President, I want to take particular note of the very judicious use of an extension order in this case. Again, I think it's a credit to the chair of the committee. And I think it's certainly of the nature that we've been trying to encourage with regard to the very careful and responsible use of extension orders. And I do not want that to be overlooked. And as a result of that Madam President, I hope that the order is adopted.

The question comes on adoption of the order. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. The order is adopted. The report of a committee.

The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to whom was referred the petition accompanied by Bill Set Number 136 of Barbara A. L'Italien, J. R. [? Kaufman, ?] [? Anne Margaret Filante, ?] Jennifer L. Flanagan, and other members of the general court for legislation to restore contract rights to craft brewers reports that the same ought not to pass under Joint Rule 10 the time within which the committee was required to report having expired.

The senator from 1st Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser.

No, no, no.

I'm sorry, senator from 2nd Essex and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien, rules that the rules be suspended so that the matter may be considered forthwith. Is there an objection? The chair hears none. The question comes on accepting the adverse report. The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien, moves that the report be amended as substitution for the bill. And the senator from 2nd Worcester, Mr. Moore.

Thank you, Madam President. I agree this is an important issue. It's been lingering before this body for many years of legislative sessions. But I think more compromise and negotiation has to be made. And with that, I would like to lay this issue on the table. No?

[AUDIO OUT] 24 that the matter is laid on the table for the next session.

The senator moves to lay this matter on the table. And under Rule 24, the matter is laid on the table 'til the next session. OK, next time, this is it?

Yeah.

The senator from Norfolk and Suffolk, Mr. Rush, moves that when the Senate adjourns today it adjourn in memory of Robert Q. Crane. We are honored to have the senator from Norfolk and Suffolk.

Thank you very much. Thank you, Madam President, and through you to the members. The honorable Robert Q. Crane passed away January 5, 2018 at the age of 91 leaving his legacy as the longest serving constitutional officer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bob grew up in Boston where he attended the Presentation School and graduated from Boston English High School in 1943. In 1944, he joined the United States Marine Corps, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division, and fought in the battle of Okinawa. Bob went on to study at Boston College, graduating in 1949.

In 1956, Bob was elected to the House of Representatives where he rose through the ranks and was named assistant majority leader. Following former treasurer Driscoll's departure, Bob effectively campaign for votes in the legislature which elected him to fill the interim treasury post in 1964. That fall, he defeated primary candidates. And he went on to win the first of many general elections. Treasurer Crane was the first chairman of the state lottery which was considered the most successful in the nation.

Not only was Bob an outstanding politician, he gave back to others in many, many ways. He served as chairman of the democratic state committee in the early 1970s correcting the organization's financialship and eliminating its debt. After retiring as treasurer in 1991, he became a [? Merket ?] Enterprise executive and continued providing entertainment across the Commonwealth with his excellent singing voice as a member of the Treasury Notes of which I had the pleasure to accompany him on many occasions. Treasurer Crane will truly be missed by his wife Mary, their five children, and six grandchildren, and his many, many friends here in state government and across the Commonwealth.

Thank you. We ask for a moment of silence in memory of former treasurer Robert Q. Crane.

All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. And the motion prevails.

Senator from 1st Plymouth and Bristol, Mr. Pacheco, offers an order which the clerk will read.

Order that when the Senate adjourns today it adjourns to meet again tomorrow at 11:00 AM, that the clerk be directed to dispense with the printing of a calendar.

[INAUDIBLE]

The senator from Plymouth and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo moves that the Senate do now adjourn. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The Senate stands adjourned in memory of former state treasurer Robert Q. Crane to meet again on Monday next at 11:00 AM.