Over the weekend, I spoke at the American premiere of the critically acclaimed 66 Days The Film which chronicles the 1981 hunger strike of Irish republican Bobby Sands at the Independent Film Center in New York City. I joined Director Brendan Byrne at the screening of what has become one of the most successful and important documentaries in recent history. When I was a Springfield City Councilor, I sponsored a resolution in support of the hunger strikers, and years later visited Long Kesh prison outside of Belfast where Sands died protesting British rule on the island of Ireland. The Irish Times has called the film “a comprehensive, balanced, gripping tale of terrible times.” It opens theaters in the U.S. in 2017.

On behalf of the United States of America, thank you to our Veterans. We are so grateful for your service and sacrifices yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Happy Veterans Day.

Today's groundbreaking at Baystate Health on a combined heat and power plant that will provide non-grid energy sources to important facilities in the event of a power loss is a great example of their forward thinking when it comes to preparing for emergencies. This $27 million project - one out of only 13 chosen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - is a smart investment in our future. Thanks to the partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Resources, Eversource MA and the City of Springfield, MA - Office of Communications.

Reconstructing the Van Horn Dam is a good example of how Mayor Sarno and the City of Springfield are taking a proactive approach to its emergency preparedness. No one in the Pioneer Valley needs to be reminded of how destructive a catastrophic storm can be to a community. So taking the steps to put the necessary safeguards in place to protect our citizens and stakeholders from a natural disaster makes perfect sense. Our region is fortunate to have good corporate citizens like MassMutual and Baystate Health who continue to make significant investments in the North End neighborhood. The partnership between the public and private sector on this important project demonstrates that our community is taking hazard prevention seriously

We need to make sure that we return, with great gratitude, to those who gave so much for us. Please consider assisting the Springfield Veterans Service Department in their endeavor to place more than 20,000 flags at the gravesites of our veterans to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. For more information or to sign up, call 413-787-6141.

Today the Springfield Museums celebrated a $106,592 award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to restore twenty Tiffany stained glass windows at the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum. This is the second time the museum has received a grant for this purpose and with this new money, the museum will start the refurbishing process of the windows on the second story. These are the only Tiffany windows in existance that were commissioned specifically for an American art museum. The preservation speaks volumes to the good work the museums do on a daily basis to make sure these treasures are here for generations to come.

Yesterday I joined representatives from U.S. Department of Agriculture to tour five farms in Franklin County - Bree-Z Knoll Farm (a member of Our Family Farms Milk) in Leyden, Sidehill Farm Yogurt in Hawley, Maple Row Farm Organics in Shelburne Falls, Pine Hill Orchards in Colrain, and Apex Orchards in Shelburne. All of these farms participate in various programs with USDA and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to help support the productivity of their farms. Thanks to Cris Coffin of Eden Pond Farm and Artifact Cider Project for joining us along our tour as well.

I knew Jaime Ulloa. I worked with him on the Commission on Disability. This park and its impending rehabilitation are a great tribute to Jaime and his legacy as he did so much work for the city despite being confined to a wheelchair.

Yesterday was the 26th and final SIDS Race for Life. What started out as a group of friends raising money when one of our own was affected by this disease turned into a great partnership with the Massachusetts Center for SIDS. I am proud to say that over the past 26 years, we have raised well over $700,000 for SIDS research. Thank you to all who assisted with this tremendous undertaking year after year.

Thanks to Walgreens for installing a safe medication disposal kiosk at the Walgreens pharmacy located at 501 Sumner Avenue in Springfield. This pilot program is part of a broader national push to combat drug abuse by providing a safe and convenient way to dispose of unwanted, expired or unused prescription drugs at no cost.

http://www.masslive.com/…/walgreens_in_springfield_us_rep_r…

In an effort to boost campus safety, prevent domestic violence and help victims of abuse, Springfield Technical Community College has been working with the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni's Office, Community Legal Aid and the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. With the help of a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women, the safety of the campus will be strengthened for students and visitors alike.

Twenty-six years ago, after seeing a friend lose a child to SIDS, a group of friends and I started the SIDS Race for Life. This year is the FINAL SIDS Race for Life. Since its inception, the goal has always been to raise money and awareness for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It's traumatic losing your child at any time and unimaginable to lose them at the infant stage. Join me for the 5 mile run and 3 mile walk on October 16. More information here: http://www.sidsrace4life.org/id1.html

This morning I opened the 25th Annual ISPE Boston Area Chapter Product Show. It was a welcomed invitation to speak to pharmaceutical engineers and companies as I have worked throughout my career on the Ways and Means Committee on making the R&D credit permanent. Cambridge Square is home to the largest concentration of R&D in the world. If America and Massachusetts want to remain at the forefront of this technological innovation, we must continue to invest in our economy.

I toured the YWCA of Western Massachusetts this morning and announced a $300,370 grant from the office of Violence Against Women in the U.S. Department of Justice. This important funding will allow the YWCA to serve 110 women and children for 36 months.

Next I was in Wilbraham to visit Falcon Knoll, an independent community for the elderly. One of their residents contacted my office to assist in obtaining a flag pole for the property. The pole was dedicated today and I was more than happy to provide an American flag. Thanks to Carr Property Management for getting it done.

Today I was in Heath visiting their fire department with Chief Ken Gilbert and members of the building committee announcing a $88,343 grant from FEMA. The volunteer fire department will use the funding for new equipment and life saving apparatuses.

Next in Rowe, I toured the Yankee Rowe Nuclear Power Plant with State Representative Paul Mark, Lenny Laffond of the Yankee Rowe Community Advisory Board, and Chair of the Board of Selectmen Marilyn Wilson. The selectmen invited me for a tour after I became a cosponsor of The Interim Spent Nuclear Storage Site Compensation Act of 2016. This bill would provide financial assistance to communities who currently house spent nuclear fuel at a nuclear power plant site that has ceased operations, of which Rowe is one of twelve in the country.

This past week, I asked US Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner Kerlikowske in front of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee if the STOP Act, sponsored by myself and Congressman Tiberi, would be effective in stopping the dangerous opioid drugs, fentanyl and carfentanil, from coming into our country. This bill demonstrates the commitment I have for stopping these extremely harmful drugs, that are 50 to 500 times are powerful as heroin, from getting on the streets and killing more Americans.

Every year the Fairview Hospital Gala honors an individual for his or her dedication to the hospital. This year, thanks to Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, the hospital was able to surprise their president and my longtime pal Gene Dellea with the recognition. As Gene was a longtime friend of the Kennedy family and worked hand-in-hand with Senator Ed Kennedy to achieve Critical Access Hospital Status for Fairview, it was even more meaningful to share the evening in Great Barrington with Congressman Joe Kennedy III and Mrs. Vicki Kennedy. Congratulations to my good friend.

This past Saturday I visited Milford to celebrate the completion of the Milford Pond cleanup with my good friend Dino DeBartolomeis, chairman of the Milford Pond Restoration Committee. By securing federal funding many years ago when Milford was part of my district and with assistance from the Army Corps of Engineers this project was finally completed after over 20 years of hard work.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/…/milford-with-restoration-…

Last week I hosted the Springfield Regional Chamber in Washington, DC for networking and advocacy opportunities with myself and other lawmakers. This is an event that I look forward to every year. Thank you to our many speakers including Representative Michael E. Capuano, Congressman John Lewis, Leader Nancy Pelosi, Chairman Kevin Brady, Senator Edward J. Markey, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, Congressman Joe Kennedy III, Irish Ambassador Anne Anderson, political commentator Mark Shields, and Elizabeth Sena from Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research.