April 13, 2012

Suffolk University

Last week I met with a class of Suffolk University students to talk about my work in Congress, the current atmosphere in Washington and the state of our economy. I look forward to these opportunities and am always impressed with the range of topics that come up during the question and answer period. I talked with the undergraduates about a number of issues, including the high cost of a college education, the status of health care reform and the debate over taxes. The students posed thoughtful questions and I enjoyed my time with the class.

Emerson College

I also spent some time at Emerson College, participating in a bipartisan panel discussion about the economy. The forum was organized by the Emerson Democratic and Republican student groups. It was an engaging exchange about how to address our nation's economic challenges. The discussion was certainly spirited at times, and participants expressed a wide range of opinions about the best way to improve our economy. We didn't always agree on economic policy but many ideas were presented. I commend the two student groups for coming together to foster a discussion about one of the most important challenges facing our country, and one that impacts all of us in tangible ways. I was happy to participate and appreciated the invitation from the student organizations.

East Boston YMCA

I recently attended the East Boston YMCA's annual Reach Out Youth Breakfast, which took place at the Logan Hilton. It is an opportunity for the YMCA to highlight all of the work done with our young people, from afterschool programs to preschool opportunities. Some of the children who use the East Boston YMCA programs produced a video that showcased many of the services offered and the children served. It was a wonderful effort and I think the young people did a fantastic job emphasizing the importance of the East Boston YMCA to their community. I appreciated the invitation to attend, and to say a few words. I have participated in other annual YMCA Reach Out Breakfasts, including the Allston-Brighton branch and the Huntington Avenue branch, and look forward to joining members of the YMCA family at future events.

Novartis Groundbreaking

Yesterday I participated in a groundbreaking ceremony at Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research for the expansion of their Cambridge campus. Construction is beginning on additional lab, office and retail space. The project will produce approximately 2,000 construction jobs and 300 new jobs, creating some positive economic activity for the community. Novartis is Cambridge's largest corporate employer and I am encouraged that company officials have chosen to expand their footprint in Cambridge.

What's Up Next

Votes are scheduled on Monday, April 16th. At this writing, the list of legislation to be considered next week is not yet available.