Dana-Farber贊助的2025半馬拉松有7200多人參加

 Race Report: 2025 Boston Half presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund

 

7,200+ participants take part in New England’s signature half marathon

 

BOSTON – More than 7,200 athletes took to the roads of Boston for today’s 2025 Boston Half presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, starting and finishing within Franklin Park. Champions were crowned, personal bests were set, and nearly $1 million was raised for Team Dana-Farber. 

 

At the front of the field, Fentaye Belayneh (Ethiopia), Isaia Lasoi (Kenya), Yen Hoang (USA), and Miguel Vergara (USA) were among the first to the finish, winning open and wheelchair division titles on a picture-perfect day for racing. Belayneh became the first woman since Joan Chelimo Melly in 2017-2018 to win in successive years. “I love Boston! I love Boston!” Belayneh proclaimed. 

 

Searchable results and leaderboards for today’s race are available here: https://bstnmar.org/25HalfResults

 

Belayneh knows what it takes to finish atop the podium in Boston. It came down to a sprint in Franklin Park for the second straight year, out-dueling friend and fellow countrywoman Melknat Wudu at the line 1:08:51 to 1:08:53.

 

“Every time when I come to Boston, I come to Boston with a lot,” she said smiling. “This is my fifth time here in Boston… it reminds me of all the training places, and it will never go away in my mind.”

 

Belayneh and Wudu were joined in the early miles by B.A.A. High Performance Team member Megan Hasz Sailor and former American record holder Keira D’Amato, as well as Kenyans Evaline Chirchir and Monicah Ngige. Through 10K in 32:27 and 10 miles in 52:21, the race would be decided over the final kilometers – where Belayneh’s kick is most potent. 

 

Beyond Belayneh and Wudu, Chirchir placed third in 1:09:01. Hasz Sailor was the top American for the second straight year, crossing in 1:09:39.

 

“It was super fun to get out there and see where I was at fitness wise,” said Sailor, who trains in Boston as part of the B.A.A.’s professional team. “I’ve built a lot of strength since racing here last year and especially over the last couple months training for my first marathon. I’m happy with how I committed to the race and was able to come away as the top American again this year and run a personal best on a pretty challenging course.”

 

On the men’s side, Isaia Lasoi came in laser-focused to earn a victory in his first B.A.A. race. Shortly after hitting 10 miles in 46:14, the Kenyan injected a surge to open a gap on challengers Andrea Kiptoo (Kenya) and Yemane Haileselassie (Eritrea). Lasoi didn’t let up, charging up and down the hilly final miles before breaking the finish tape in 1:00:59.

 

“I would say it was great, fast and challenging,” said Lasoi. “Right around mile ten is when I decided to make my move. I felt confident and was ready to go for the win.”

 

Santiago Catrofe of Uruguay came from behind to nab second (1:01:23), with Kiptoo third (1:01:30). Chandler Gibbens was the top American, fifth in 1:01:57.

 

“It was good, just putting myself up there with the top guys and being able to test myself against great competitors,” said the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier at 10,000m. He added: “Tons of fans, lots of screaming and it definitely made those last couple hills easier with a big crowd in my ear.” 

 

HOANG, VERGARA TAKE WHEELCHAIR DIVISION CROWNS

 

After finishing second the last two years, Yen Hoang used the course’s many hills and passionate spectators to her advantage. She won the wheelchair title in 1:01:02 ahead of Hannah Babalola (1:03:51) and Michelle Wheeler (1:04:18). 

 

“I really liked towards the end when I am going towards the finish, where the other runners are coming out and they are cheering you on,” said the Illinois racing star. “It's really cool. It's a mass of runners.”

 

Miguel Vergara returned to the winner’s podium, adding a second Boston Half crown to his 2019 win. He finished in 49:06, a full 5 minutes, 33 seconds ahead of runner-up Valera Jacob Allen. Wyatt Willand rounded out the podium in 56:49, followed by Boston’s own Delmace Mayo (57:47) in fourth. 

 

A complete list of open, wheelchair, and Para Athletics Division champions can be found below. Athletes from 98 countries and 44 states took part, running along an updated course featuring picturesque views of the Emerald Necklace Park System.

 

DIVISION	CHAMPION
Men’s Open Division	Isaia Lasoi, Kenya, 1:00:59
Women’s Open Division	Fentaye Belayneh, Ethiopia, 1:08:51
Men’s Wheelchair Division	Miguel Vergara, USA, 49:06
Women’s Wheelchair Division	Yen Hoang, USA, 1:01:02
Top American Men’s Finisher	Chandler Gibbens, 1:01:57
Top American Women’s Finisher	Megan Hasz Sailor, 1:09:39
Men’s T11-T13 (Vision Impairment)	Irwin Ramirez, USA, 1:30:44*
Women’s T11-T13 (Vision Impairment)	Lauren Weeks, USA, 2:23:29
Men’s T20 (Intellectual Impairment)	Thomas Cantara, USA, 1:16:20
Men’s T35-T38 (Coordination Impairment)	Joseph Drake, USA, 1:55:44
Women’s T35-T38 (Coordination Impairment)	Cristina Burbach, USA, 1:56:02
Men’s T45/T46/T47 (Upper-limb Impairment)	Atsbha Gebremeskel, Ethiopia, 1:29:26
Women’s T45/T46/T47 (Upper-limb Impairment)	Lisa Maciel, USA, 1:55:44*
Men’s T42-T44/T61-T64 (Lower-limb Impairment)	Peter Keating, USA, 1:25:48
Women’s T42-T44/T61-T64 (Lower-limb Impairment)	Kelly Bruno, USA, 1:35:28*
	* Pending Event Record

 

DANA-FARBER FUNDRAISING SOARS TOWARD $1 MILLION 

 

A group of 735+ athletes were part of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund’s team for this year’s event, having already raised $981,000 and counting. Those interested in supporting Dana-Farber’s team can make a donation here. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund have partnered with the Boston Half since 2003 as the race’s presenting sponsor and exclusive charity team. Through this relationship, Dana-Farber runners have collectively raised more than $12 million to support groundbreaking cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and enabled Dana-Farber scientists and clinicians to positively impact the lives of cancer patients around the world.

國際領袖基金會2026公民獎學金即起受理申請

獲獎的青年領袖們獲趙小蘭接見並合影。

歷屆獲獎的青年領袖們和華府聯邦機構政要、國會議員和各界領袖精英們合影。

（Boston Orange）國際領袖基金會（International Leadership Foundation, 簡稱 ILF）今（10）日宣佈， 2026 年公民獎學金計畫（Civic Fellowship Program）即起開放申請，2026 年 1 月 2 日（星期五）下午 5 點（美國東部時間）截止收件。

「公民獎學金計劃」是 ILF為 培養下一代亞太裔（AAPI）公共服務領袖而辦理的一個項目，每年從全國範圍挑選約30名優秀亞裔大學生，在暑假期間到華府，進入美國國會議員辦公室，各聯邦政府機構，知名智庫或非營利組織實習8到10週，藉以提升公民意識與參與公共事務能力。

獲選學員們不但可獲得獎學金，還將在實習期間，參加一系列特別為他們設計的專業與領導力發展研討會和工作坊，並可透過和傑出 亞太裔（AANHPI ）公共服務界領袖交流，深入了解美國政治、政策制定過程，以及公共服務在國家治理和社區服務中的核心作用。

過去這些年來，許多畢業學員後來都進入美國財政部，公共衛生部，交通部，以及白宮亞太裔倡議等重要部門工作。

2025年入選ILF的優秀青年領袖們。

ILF 提醒申請者，雖然實習地點預計是在華盛頓特區，但實習形式可能因爲聯邦機構政策，部分或大部分會改採線上進行。相關變動將在申請和安置過程中隨時更新。

有志於公共服務領域的大學院校本科在讀學生，凡具有美國公民身份且最低 GPA 達 到3.0者，均可申請。所需文件包括正式成績單、履歷（CV）和至少一封推薦信。ILF 特別提醒，考慮到學校假期可能影響拿到文件的時間，申請者應提早規劃。

國際領袖基金會創會會長董繼玲表示，公民獎學金計畫旨在為美國培養一批具有公民意識、關注社區的青年領袖，並鼓勵他們積極參與公共事務。ILF作為致力於培養亞太裔公共服務領導人才的非營利組織，從 2000 年以來，已發放獎學金，給超過 10,000 名學生提供領導力培訓。

公民獎學金計畫現在還建立了有 500 多人的校友網絡。

為協助有意參加計劃者順利完成申請程序，ILF 將舉辦兩場線上 Zoom 資訊發布會。第一場將於 11 月 28 日星期五下午 9 點（東部標準時間）舉行，第二場則定於 12 月 23 日星期二下午 4 點（東部標準時間）。查詢詳情或提交申請可上網， www.ilfnational.org/fellowship 。 

美國退伍軍人會波士頓大遊行 328分會和波士頓榮光會搶鏡 （圖片）

波士頓市長吳弭（右三）抱著女兒Mira和正要聯袂為退伍軍人大遊行剪綵。
波士頓市議員Ed Flynn(右一），Sharon Durkan(左三），ruthzee Louijeune（左二），
和Henry Santana（後中）。（周菊子攝）

剪綵後開步走。（周菊子攝）

波士頓市議員Sharon Durkan陪著吳弭市長（右）遊行。

波士頓市議員Ruthzee Louijeune和Henry Santana連袂出席退伍軍人遊行。

美國退伍軍人會波士頓華埠328分會，由會長Geni Boland率隊遊行。（周菊子攝）

美國退伍軍人會波士頓華埠328分會一早就在Boylston街上排隊等出發。（周菊子攝）

波士頓榮光會也年年參加遊行。

波士頓榮光會理事長鄭增壽（右）和波士頓經文處黃耀良組長，波士頓僑教中心
主任高家富，前秘書長陳家驊並列前行。（周菊子攝）

波士頓榮光會遊行，中華民國和美國國旗各帶一幅，非常搶眼。（周菊子攝）

Shaw's連鎖超市捐10萬元 大波士頓食物銀行連同政要為感恩節搬火雞 （圖片）

 

波士頓市府再傳人事變動 街道長Jascha Franklin-Hodge訂年底離任

波士頓市街道長Jascha Franklin-Hodge。

             （Boston Orange綜合編譯）波士頓市街道長Jascha Franklin-Hodge在11月7日證實，他將在今年底離任。由於10月初才剛傳出波士頓市市長的幕僚長朱為婷（Tiffany Chu）將於11月中離任，這意味著剛當選連任的波士頓市長吳弭，第二任期團隊有重大改變。

            Jascha Franklin-Hodge是2021年12月由吳弭任命，上位街道長這新創職位。他在任內推動了不少街道改造計畫，包括重新鋪設了102英里的道路，改善了垃圾收集和除雪工作，並現代化了停車計時器 等。

            推行吳弭市長大力支持的設立自行車道這事，卻毀譽參半，主要原因是騎自行車者固然大為讚賞，開車人士卻因車道變窄，有些道路出現擠塞情況而怨聲載道，也有些人對波士頓市道路基礎設施變化，尤其是重整藍山大道（Blue Hill Ave.）計畫的未來，感到擔憂。

            之前在開放移動基金會（Open Mobility Foundation）這半官方，為市區流動性研究標準與工具的機構工作，在馬丁華殊（Martin J. Walsh）市長任內擔任波士頓資訊長的Jascha Franklin-Hodge週五說，“感覺這個時候過渡轉換很自然”，在任何政府之中，都有轉換點，給人機會做將來的事。他期待著可以有更多時間和家人一起，同時想想自己的將來。

            吳弭市長在一份聲明中讚許Jascha Franklin-Hodge為波士頓市的持續改善和提供服務奠定了基礎。

            今年3月時，吳弭推出一項所有街道基礎設施改變的30天評估計畫，交由波士頓市的市府基礎服務總監Mike Brohel負責。結果在Mike Brohel交給吳弭的報告是，要聽取社區回饋，稱許多人認為他們給市府的回饋，沒有得到充分注意。

            吳弭在談及此事時表示，波士頓市府已經訂定更有野心的目標，要在2030年來到時，完全消除所有的交通死亡事故。

波士頓市長吳弭訂11/9-12訪問加拿大Nova Scotia深固友誼

MAYOR MICHELLE WU TO VISIT NOVA SCOTIA TO HIGHLIGHT CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP  As a thank you to Boston for sending medical aid and relief supplies following the 1917 Halifax explosion, Nova Scotia provides Boston with its annual Christmas tree for the Boston Common.

BOSTON - Friday, November 7, 2025 - Mayor Michelle Wu announced today she will visit Nova Scotia, Canada from Sunday, November 9th to Wednesday, November 12th. The trip will highlight the continuing partnership between the City of Boston and Province of Nova Scotia following the tragic explosion in Halifax Harbor, Nova Scotia in 1917. As a thank you to Boston for sending medical aid and relief supplies following the 1917 explosion, in Halifax Harbor, Nova Scotia every year Nova Scotia provides Boston with its Christmas tree for the Boston Common. Mayor Wu will be the first Boston Mayor to attend and participate in the Tree for Boston tree cutting ceremony in Nova Scotia. During the visit, Mayor Wu will visit the Port Innovation, Engagement and Research (PIER) with leadership from the Halifax Port Authority, tour the Health Innovation Hub, and meet with the Mayor of Halifax to explore enhanced collaboration. “For well over a century, Boston and Nova Scotia have shared a special bond of neighborly care and friendship,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m honored this year to visit our neighbors to the north for the first time and deliver a personal thank you on behalf of the people of Boston for continuing this partnership and connection that transcends boundaries and generations.”  In Nova Scotia, Mayor Wu will meet with Canadian officials and leaders to foster opportunities for economic collaboration with Boston. On Monday, Mayor Wu will meet with the Halifax Port Authority while touring the PIER, Canada’s first living lab dedicated to transportation, supply chain and logistics industries. She will also tour the Health Innovation Hub, a center for healthcare research and innovation. Mayor Wu will also meet and exchange gifts with Halifax Mayor Andy Filmore to underscore the importance of the continued diplomatic relationship with the City of Halifax.  On Wednesday, Mayor Wu will participate in the Tree for Boston tree cutting ceremony. More information about the tradition can be found here. Mayor Wu will return to Boston on Wednesday, November 12. On Tuesday, November 18th at 11:00 a.m., Boston’s official 2025 tree will arrive at Boston Common by flatbed truck. This year’s historic Tree for Boston is a 45-foot-tall white spruce from Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. The public is welcome to cheer the tree’s arrival with candy canes and an appearance by Santa.

Governor Healey Directs Full SNAP Benefits to be Processed Today

 Governor Healey Directs Full SNAP Benefits to be Processed Today 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today announced that her administration is directing full SNAP benefits to be paid and expects recipients to start receiving their delayed benefits as early as tomorrow.  

This announcement follows a federal judge ordering President Donald Trump to release full SNAP benefits, after he became the first President in American history to choose not to fund SNAP during a federal government shutdown. SNAP recipients who have missed a payment should start seeing benefits on their cards beginning tomorrow. Recipients who have not yet missed their payment will receive their benefits on their typical date. 

“President Trump should never have put the American people in this position. Families shouldn’t have had to go hungry because their President chose to put politics over their lives,” said Governor Healey. “We are now getting these benefits out to families who desperately need them. I am grateful to the people across Massachusetts who continue to step up and help their neighbors in this time of need. I also want to thank Attorney General Campbell for going to court to oppose this unprecedented, illegal decision. And I want to thank our team at the Department of Transitional Assistance for working through these challenging circumstances and maintaining their focus on serving the people of Massachusetts." 

The Trump Administration has appealed Thursday’s court ruling. The Department of Transitional Assistance will continue to monitor for impacts of that appeal and provide updates to SNAP recipients. More information can be found at mass.gov/SNAPupdates. Information for how families facing hunger can get help and how to help your neighbors in need can be found at mass.gov/SNAPfreeze.  

波士頓華埠居民會月會稱打311電話如石沈大海

鄺寶蓮（右）展示道路積水情況給Andrew Kans和黃家勇2名律師看。（周菊子攝）

          (Boston Orange周菊子波士頓導)波士頓華埠居民會11月5日晚在昆士小學飯堂舉行月例會，傳出撥打311電話無效，居民轉請商戶代向市府溝通，人行道亟待修理情況。

ACDC房地產主任Ｍule Undemir （右）和項目經理Billy Kan（左）報告Ｒ1工程進展。
（周菊子攝）

            在11月5日晚的華埠居民會月會中，華埠居民們聆聽警察局報告，了解Ｒ1地段工程進展，討論益士石街（Essex）85-91號停車場展延使用期限，討論中央插頁（Centerfolds）悄悄提案搬遷事宜。

            律師黃家勇和Andrew Kans代表喜臨門餐廳旁，益士石街（Essex）85-91號停車場業主出席會議，說明正向市府申請把這塊土地作為停車場的使用期限，延長三年。

波士頓警察局A-1區警察黃天輝（左）和同事做報告。（周菊子攝）

            居民們對此提案，並無異議，但紛紛表示，停車場旁的愛丁堡羅街，遇雨就淹水，居民們徒步經過時，很感困擾，打過波士頓市府的311熱線電話投訴，但如石沈大海，希望商家能協助和市府溝通，催促改善路況。

鄺寶蓮主持會議，殷先彬翻譯。（周菊子攝）

            亞美社區發展協會（ACDC）的房地產主任Ｍule Undemir和項目經理Billy Kan出席報告R1地段施工進展，說明位於乞臣街（Hudson）55號的R1地段，將蓋成一棟12層樓高，有110戶住宅，其中66戶為出租單位，44戶為出售單位，預訂2027年9月完工，將每季出席一次華埠居民會月會，匯報工程進展。

            華埠居民們最為關切何時會發出接受申請表格。亞美社區發展協會表示，將在機構網站上公佈消息，也會在出席居民會月會時，攜帶電腦，現場接受登記。

 波士頓青年旅社 （Hi Boston）的經理Joseph Guliano（左）和
代表該機構律師 Christopher W. Tracy) 說明中央插頁搬遷事宜。（周菊子攝）

            居民們也藉此機會申訴。由於R1地段施工，居民必須繞路而行，但繞行道路的人行道破損嚴重，對拄拐杖，或使用助行器的老人家們來說，造成很大的不方便，希望ACDC可以協助促請波士頓市府派人維修。

波士頓急救服務局（EMS) 的Tayshana K Lewis將每月出席華埠居民會會議。（周菊子攝）

            波士頓青年旅社Hi Boston的經理Joseph Guliano和代表該公司的O'Neill and Associates 副總裁Christopher W. Tracy則在會上說明，位於聶街的中央插頁（Centerfold）這家成人娛樂店，正悄悄申請搬遷至該旅社隔壁，希望華埠居民一起反對此事。

            華埠居民們有人表示，既然該店有意搬遷，應該促請他們索性遷離華埠，以免影響地方治安。

            波士頓警察局A-1區警察黃天輝和同事在會上報告了4宗案件，分別發生在10月23日至11月2日之間，包括有人塗鴉，有人無照兜售物品，有人當街便溺，擾亂公共秩序。其中2名肇事者是通緝犯，當場被捕，送審。                         

華埠居民會這個月有將近50人出席。（周菊子攝）

             (訂正圖說，波士頓急救服務局（EMS)應波士頓市議員Ed Flynn辦公室的盧善柔之要求，派Tayshana K Lewis為代表，出席居民會議，Ｏ‘Neill and Associates 是一家政府關係公司）。

川普下令政府重開前縮減40個機場的航班 羅根機場今早已取消38班飛機

             (Boston Orange綜合編譯)根據聯邦航空管理局（FAA）的緊急命令，川普政府下令，如果政府繼續關門，從週五（11月7日）起，全美40個最忙碌機場的航班刪減4%，並在11月14日（下週五）前，逐步增加刪減幅度至10%。

            美國最大的4家航空公司，美國航空，達美航空(Delta)，西南航空(SouthWest)，以及聯合航空(United)表示，本週末的取消航班衝擊有限，大部分乘客不會受影響，而且乘客想要的話，都可以更改，或取消航班，申請退款。

其中美國航空，達美航空和聯合航空這3家航空公司加起來的每日飛行航班數，約有15,000班次。這些大航空公司為因應聯邦政府的縮減航班命令，已經預做準備，取消了從週五到本週末的數百個航班。估計每日約有4000個航班會受影響。

            包括亞特蘭大，達拉斯，丹佛（Denver），洛杉磯(LA)，邁阿密(Miami)，以及紐瓦克（Newark）等，全美有十幾個州的機場受影響。截至今(7)日的早上8點21分，全美各地已有815個航班被取消。達美航空（Delta）已表示將刪減大約170個航班，美國航空也計畫即日起至週一，每日刪減220個航班。聯合航空估計本週末會取消的航班少於200班次。

根據追蹤航班資訊的網站FlightAware，麻州波士頓羅根機場今早已刪減38個航班。羅德島州的T. F. Green國際機場，今早傳出消息，已取消5個航班。

麻州州長奚莉（Maura Ｈealey）昨（6）日告訴媒體，川普政府沒通知麻州港務局(MassPort)任何有關刪減航班的訊息，麻州是看報紙才知道的。她說，很明顯的，政府關門是多糟糕的一件事。麻州有45,000名聯邦員工，其中許多人已失去工作，申請了失業金，從發放社會福利金支票的工作人員到讓機場得以營運的機場塔台航空管制人員，各種聯邦政府服務受大巨大衝擊，情況實在很糟糕。

            美國聯邦政府迄今已關閉38天，創下歷年關門時間最長記錄。各機場控制塔台都因航空交通管制員，在政府關門不發薪之際，或者稱病，或者找了副業的缺席不上班情況中，十分狼狽。

            幾家美國大型航空公司向乘客保證，受航班取消影響者可得全額退款。

            美國航空管理局局長Bryan Bedford表示，將只有航班數最多的航空公司會受的限飛影響。該局將要求航空公司合作，減少班次。

Senate Advances Bills Protecting Library Freedom, Safety of Transit Workers

 Senate Advances Bills Protecting Library Freedom, Safety of Transit Workers 

Legislation to be debated by the Senate next week 

 

(BOSTON—11/6/2025) The Massachusetts Senate Committee on Ways and Means voted today to advance legislation that protects the fundamentally American right to freely access thought, writing and art through books and other materials. It also advanced a bill protecting public transit workers. 

 

An Act regarding free expression, S.2696, creates responsible protocols for how books and other library materials are put on the shelves at school libraries and municipal public libraries, and how local authorities can determine the appropriateness of a book if it is challenged. The bill allows local districts to craft their own policies while setting basic expectations for library materials. The legislation is a new draft of S.2328, originally filed by Senator Julian Cyr. 

 

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development advanced the bill with a 6-0 vote on August 14, 2025 after seeking public input at a hearing held on July 22, 2025. 

 

An Act relative to assault and battery upon a transit worker, S.2697, heightens penalties for assaults on public transit workers in response to a growing number of incidents. The bill also specifically punishes assaults against public employees that are committed with bodily substances such as saliva. The legislation is a new draft of H.4645. 

 

This legislation was originally filed in the House of Representatives, which passed a version of the bill on October 22, 2025. The Joint Committee on the Judiciary gave the legislation a favorable report on August 18, 2025 following a public hearing held on May 6, 2025. 

 

After the Committee on Ways and Means voted 17-0 to advance each bill, the Senate voted during its session this afternoon to schedule both bills for debate by the full Senate next Thursday, November 13. 

 

All committee votes are publicly posted on the Legislature’s website. 

Senate Strengthens Support for Massachusetts Military Families

 Senate Strengthens Support for Massachusetts Military Families 

Legislation also boosts investment opportunities for regional economy 

 

(BOSTON—11/6/2025) The Massachusetts Senate voted unanimously today to provide enhanced safety, stability and educational opportunities for military families. The legislation advanced today also positions the Commonwealth for greater federal defense investment and economic growth around its six military bases. 

 

An Act to enhance access, inclusion, support and equity for military connected families, S.2676—also known as the EASE Act—would guarantee that a child of a military family would have a seat in the classroom at their current school in Massachusetts, even if their parent or guardian is temporarily transferred elsewhere on official orders. If a military family moves permanently and arrives in a Massachusetts community, the bill also requires a timely and seamless transition for students who receive special education services. 

 

To strengthen public safety and increase access to justice around military bases, the legislation allows certain information from the military to be admissible as evidence in state courts for people seeking temporary domestic violence restraining orders. The bill also allows for federal judges to transfer juvenile cases to Massachusetts courts for offenses that occur on military bases. Over the course of today’s debate, Senators adopted an amendment with bipartisan support that further directs National Guard leadership to track and report suicide data among veterans of the Massachusetts National Guard. Senators passed the entire bill with a 39-0 roll call. 

 

During the same session, the Senate passed An Act clarifying the duties of the adjutant general, S.2675, which writes into law that the Adjutant General—Massachusetts’ highest-ranking military officer—has command of all troops in the state National Guard while carrying out the orders of the Governor. A technical clarification, the bill brings state statute around the National Guard chain of command into line with the model used by the vast majority of other states. Under a bipartisan amendment that was adopted unanimously, the Adjutant General must also ensure that National Guard members receive training on how to identify whether or not orders violate Constitutional or statutory rights. Senators voted 38-0 to pass the legislation. 

 

“I’m proud that Massachusetts continues to seek out ways to support our active military members and veterans—and their families,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “In advance of Veterans Day, it was important that the Senate reinforce our commitment to meeting veterans, active military members and their families where they are and provide support to those who have served and are serving our nation. It was also important to make a technical clarification to the command structure of the Massachusetts National Guard that brings us in line with most other states. I am tremendously grateful to Senator Velis for his leadership on these issues—and for his service—as well as Chair Rodrigues and the entire Senate for advancing these measures.” 

 

“Military families very often face difficult situations when parents are called to duty, never knowing when or where their service to our country will take them,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This bill will help create a more stable environment for military serving families by ensuring continuous education and a smooth transition for special education services when changing school districts. Additional legislation takes action to clarify that the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard has command of all the militias of the Commonwealth. I would like to thank Senator Velis and Senate President Spilka for their leadership in advancing these bills that assist our brave men and women soldiers, and their families, so fitting in honor and recognition of Veterans Day.” 

 

“As we approach Veterans Day, I am incredibly proud to be a part of a legislative body that prioritizes not only our veterans and servicemembers but also our military families as well,” said Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “Building off the comprehensive advancements made in the SPEED Act and HERO Act over the last two legislative sessions, the EASE Act bolsters the way that Massachusetts cares for our military families and in turn helps improve our Department of Defense scorecard to maintain critical federal military investments in our state. At the end of the day, my focus as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs continues to be on ensuring that our Commonwealth is not only the very best state for a veteran to call home, but also a welcoming and supportive home for our active-duty service members and their families.” 

 

Provisions in the EASE Act respond directly to needs that have been raised by military families in recent years. Addressing these concerns is key to further boosting Massachusetts’ standing on the Department of Defense scorecard, a key metric that the federal government takes into account when deciding where to increase or maintain its spending for military bases. 

 

Massachusetts is currently among the top 10 states for defense contract spending. More than 57,000 Massachusetts jobs are supported by the state’s six military installations: Fort Devens, Hanscom Air Force Base, Joint Base Cape Cod, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westover Air Reserve Base, and the Natick Soldier Systems Center. 

 

Both bills were advanced to the floor by 16-0 votes of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means on October 30, 2025, after previous drafts were reviewed and advanced by the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs in September and October. All committee votes are publicly posted on the Legislature’s website. 

 

Separately, the Senate approved legislation—H.3388, An Act designating veterans suicide awareness and remembrance day—that will set aside September 22 of each year as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. That bill, which has already been passed by the House of Representatives, acknowledges that suicide among service members and veterans is an epidemic and calls for annual recognition with a proclamation from the Governor. 

 

All three bills acted upon today were approved by the Senate and now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration.