Politics & Government
Rep. Lewis named "Legislator of the Year" by MDSC
Representative Lewis was honored by the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Caucus at their annual BuddyWalk.
Boston, MA – On October 8, the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress held their annual BuddyWalk®. The MDSC works to ensure individuals with Down syndrome in Massachusetts are valued, included, and given the opportunities to pursue fulfilling lives by providing information, networking opportunities, and advocacy for people with Down syndrome and their families, educators, health care professionals, and the community-at-large.
At the BuddyWalk®, Representative Jack Patrick Lewis (Framingham) was presented with the 2023 MA House of Representatives Legislator of the Year award. Director of the MDSC, Maureen Gallagher, said, “Since Jack was first elected in 2017 as the State Representative for the 7th Middlesex District, he has been a tireless champion for the rights of children and adults with disabilities, lending his voice to important legislation that will ensure equal opportunity for all individuals, including those with intellectual disabilities.”
Ms. Gallagher continued, “From the start of his legislative career, Jack was with us as we sought to expand access to higher education for individuals with Down syndrome, autism, and other intellectual disabilities. Since 2019, he has been our legislative leader in successfully guiding the MDSC’s annual appropriation in the state budget. And he never hesitated when the MDSC asked him to be the lead sponsor of groundbreaking legislation that would allow access to transformative applied behavioral analysis therapy for children with a single diagnosis of Down syndrome.”
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Representative Jack Patrick Lewis added, “I find myself awed by the unparalleled work that Maureen and the entire team at the MDSC set out to do every single day. Beyond their incredible advocacy, the MDSC’s wide array of programs and services make a world of difference to individuals with Down syndrome and those around them. It is a privilege to work with them, and I am honored to be selected as this year’s Legislator of the Year in the MA House of Representatives.”
The MDSC’s legislative agenda includes H.191/S.617 An Act relative to applied behavioral analysis therapy. Rep Lewis is a proud co-sponsor of the bill.
