[UPDATE: On June 28, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a Citation recognizing ARRL’s anniversary. The text is included at the end of this story.]
The Executive and Senate branches of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have recognized Amateur Radio and the ARRL with a Gubernatorial Proclamation and Senate Resolution, respectively. The Governor recognized an “Amateur Radio Day” while the Senate resolved to “join in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the American Radio Relay League.”
Eastern Massachusetts Section Manager Phil Temples, K9HI accepted the documents today from Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester) at his State House office. Separate copies of the documents are being mailed to Ed Emco, W1KT, the ARRL Section Manager of Western Massachusetts. Also assisting with the project was newly appointed State Government Liaison Hank Mc Carl, W4RIG, of Gloucester.
Temples will tour various Field Day sites on June 28-29 to show the proclamation and resolutions to ARRL clubs and groups participating in the annual exercise. Tarr, who is also a licensed ham, plans to tour several Field Day sites in his district with copies of the documents as well.
Here is the text of the Gubernatorial Proclamation:
A PROCLAMATION
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick
Whereas Amateur radio has always played a significant role in developing world-wide radio communications; and
Whereas The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has approximately 14,000 amateur radio operators, who continually demonstrate their value in public assistance; and
Whereas Amateur radio operators are constantly vigilant in case of tornado, flood, hurricane, or other local emergency, in order that they may use their equipment and skills to assist local and state officials; and
Whereas Massachusetts amateur radio operators have generously donated their time, equipment, and knowledge to provide communications support and technical training to local service clubs, organizations, and interested citizens; and
Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim June 13th, 2014, to be,
AMATEUR RADIO DAY
And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.
Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this twenty-third day of May, in the year two thousand and fourteen and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-seventh.
By His Excellency
Deval L. Patrick
Governor of the Commonwealth
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
* * *
THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE
RESOLUTIONS
CELEBRATING THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE
WHEREAS, AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS ARE CELEBRATING OVER A CENTURY OF THE MIRACLE OF THE HUMAN VOICE BROADCAST OVER THE AIRWAYS AND, IN 2014, THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE IS CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF PROMOTING AND ADVANCING THE ART, SCIENCE AND ENJOYMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO; AND
WHEREAS, THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE IS THE LEADING ORGANIZATION FOR AMATEUR RADIO IN THE USA AND SERVES OVER 164,000 MEMBERS, MOSTLY LICENSED RADIO AMATEURS, IN THE UNITED STATES AND AROUND THE WORLD; AND
WHEREAS, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION’S HEADQUARTERS IN HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, HAS BEEN HOME TO THE HIRAM PERCY MAXIM MEMORIAL STATION SINCE 1938 AND RECEIVES VISITS FROM NEARLY 2,000 INDIVIDUALS A YEAR; AND
WHEREAS, THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE’S MISSION IS “TO PROMOTE AND ADVANCE THE ART, SCIENCE AND ENJOYMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO” AND MEMBERS SPAN THE GLOBE, SUPPORTED BY THE ORGANIZATION’S PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES, PUBLICATIONS AND EXPERTS; AND
WHEREAS, AMATEUR RADIO HAS CONTINUED TO PROVIDE A BRIDGE BETWEEN PEOPLES, SOCIETIES AND COUNTRIES BY CREATING FRIENDSHIPS AND SHARING IDEAS; AND
WHEREAS, AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS HAVE ALSO PROVIDED COUNTLESS HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICES BOTH IN EMERGENCIES AND TO OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THESE DECADES, NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, THAT THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE HEREBY JOINS IN CELEBRATING THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THESE RESOLUTIONS BE TRANSMITTED FORTHWITH BY THE CLERK OF THE SENATE TO THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE.
SENATE, ADOPTED, JUNE 23, 2014.
THERESE MURRAY
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
OFFERED BY:
SENATOR BRUCE E. TARR
* * *
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, House of Representatives;
Be it hereby known to all that the Massachusetts House of Representatives offers its sincerest Congratulations to the American Radio Relay League in Recognition of its 100th Anniversary and its affiliate, the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association, for providing service and education to the Cape Ann Community. The entire membership extends the very best wishes and expresses the hope for future good fortune and continued success in all endeavors.
Given this 28th day of June, at the State House, Boston, Massachusetts
By: Robert A. DeLeo
Speaker of the House
Offered by State Representative
Ann-Margaret Ferrante