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MASSACHUSETTS NURSE NEWSLETTER ::
November/December 2006
MNA recognizes key legislators at awards dinner
By Kate Anderson
On May 24, the Massachusetts House of Representatives
took an historic vote and became the only legislative chamber in
the country, outside of California, to pass a bill setting a limit
on the number of patients a nurse can be forced to care for at one
time.
Without the efforts of each of the legislators honored at the MNA’s
annual awards ceremony, that vote would not have taken place.
The legislators who received the honor of “Special Recognition
for Legislative Advocacy” were critical in all phases of the
process leading up to the successful House vote. From the first
hearings until the last vote was recorded on the floor, each of
the following legislators played a central role:
- House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi
- Majority Leader John Rogers
- Rep. Jennifer Callahan
- Rep Christine Canavan
- Rep Peter Koutoujian
- Rep Martin Walsh
- Rep Steven Walsh
The three legislators who received the honor of “Freshman
Legislator, Special Recognition for Legislative Advocacy”
were dedicated to the cause of safe staffing even before they were
elected to office. Each of the following legislators was committed
to the fight for safe staffing during their campaigns and has shown
initiative and leadership since their first day in elected office:
- Sen. James Timilty
- Rep Michael Moran
- Rep Cleon Turner
We applaud all of the legislators who were honored
by the MNA for their leadership and dedication to the cause of patients
and nurses throughout the commonwealth.
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