Sen. Joe Kennedy Headlines Business Event In Newton

NEWTON, MA — Rep. Joe Kennedy III told the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber during the group's annual Fall Business Breakfast that he was optimistic about the direction of the House of Representatives following the November election, especially when it comes to diversity and age.

“The impact of that, I actually think, is extremely significant.”

During the regional Chamber of Commerce event business leaders in the Newton, Needham and surrounding areas listened to the congressman, who was the keynote speaker, talk about issues - from guns to parking to housing, all issues that affected their businesses on some level.

In addition to the seats that Democrats picked up, Kennedy said the demographics of the new House of Representatives directly impact the country.

“Congress just got a lot younger and Congress just got a whole lot more diverse,” said Newton the father of two young children. “We had a record number of women elected to Congress. You’re looking at probably about 70 new members of Congress. The majority of those folks are a generation, if not younger, than the generation that they are replacing."

Kennedy said the older generation of leaders didn't have the same financial issues to have to deal with, referencing the cost of childcare and homes.

“Most of them did not come of age or have to deal with the impact of a $1.5 trillion student loan debt. Most of them didn’t have to deal with the fact that 20 percent of our economy is going to independent contractors in a gig economy.”

Kennedy spoke to some 500 business and civic leaders at the Newton Marriott about how the 2018 election went, his own commitment to housing and healthcare. The issues, he said, affected both sides of the aisle.

Kennedy was reelected to his fourth term representing Massachusetts’ Fourth Congressional District, which includes Newton.

"We're really grateful for his support. He's really just been an excellent Congressman to us because he takes time to listen, and he's interested in what we have to say. We see him not at these big headline events, but at smaller events, sitting with unemployed and just being out there," said Chamber President Greg Reibman.

Media personality Latoya Jackson mc'ed the event that also featured UMass Amherst Deputy Chancellor and Chief Planning Officer Steve Goodwin, a new member of the chamber. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller was on hand as were who's who of the local business scene.

Catch some of Kennedy's talk here:

It picks up here, too:

Photos by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff