Senator Jason Lewis Named Arc of Massachusetts Legislator of the Year

Senator Jason Lewis is honored to announce that he has been named Legislator of the Year by The Arc of Massachusetts.  The mission of The Arc of Massachusetts, which was founded more than sixty years ago, is to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Senator Lewis received the award at a State House ceremony held by The Arc of Massachusetts in coordination with the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council.  The award was presented to Senator Lewis by Senate President Stanley Rosenberg.

In awarding Senator Lewis the Legislator of the Year award, advocates cited his efforts to help pass a new law to prohibit discrimination based on disability in access to organ transplantation, as well as his advocacy for expanding Operation House Call, a program to educate medical professionals on how to address the unique healthcare needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“Through my work with statewide organizations like The Arc of Massachusetts and local advocates like Triangle, which is based in Malden, I have gained valuable insight on how state government can play a meaningful role to help enhance individuals’ independence and support their effort to maximize their potential and ability to play active roles in their communities,” said Senator Jason Lewis.  “I’m honored to receive this award, and I look forward to continuing our work to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families.”

Senator Lewis serves as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health and Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development.  In the former role, he has had the opportunity to advocate on issues pertaining to the health and well-being of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  In the latter role, to which he was recently appointed, he looks forward to supporting efforts to enhance employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to work independently in their communities.