Capitol comments
By State Rep. Patricia A. Walrath 3rd Middlesex District

Region - The State House has been a busy place with full formal sessions resuming, student groups touring the building, and visitors from all over taking in all that a New England autumn has to offer. Of course, it's not just for visitors - make sure you and yours enjoy it as well! The State House Tours Desk offers free tours Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Here is what has been happening recently:

Hearings: The Health Care Financing Committee heard several bills on topics including training those with chronic diseases to better manage their conditions, curbing pharmaceutical marketing practices, and requiring state regulators to have hearings open to the public when health insurance premiums increase by more than 7 percent annually. Proposed legislation regarding how much input patients should get regarding refurbished medical devices was debated before the Committee on Public Health.

The Transportation Committee recently heard proposed legislation that would make driving while sleeping a crime. "Rob's Law," also nicknamed "The Drowsy Driving Act of 2008," was named after Major Robert Raneri of the U.S. Army Reserve, who was killed June 26, 2002, on his way to work at Fort Devens by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel.

Bills heard by the Higher Education Committee include ones regarding campus services, access to facilities and one that is frequently filed that would limit the ability of textbook companies to increase the prices of products by bundling them together,

Citizens Safety Award: Cameron Leavenworth of Bolton was chosen as the 2006 recipient of the Massachusetts Citizens Safety Award, which was presented to him at the State House last week. Cameron used quick thinking and action to help a neighbor find her little girl last year and for his help, he was recognized with the prestigious, statewide award. Congratulations, Cameron!

Do Not Call List Expiration: If you are on the national "Do Not Call" List, make sure to call 1-888- 382-1222 again to keep your phone number on the list. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which runs the program, created a five-year expiration date for the "Do Not Call" List since some people may have moved and others have switched their phone numbers. For companies who violate the list, the registry issues fines of up to $11,000.

Firefighters Memorial: On Sept. 11, the Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial was dedicated in Ashburton Park just outside the State House, across from the Law Enforcement Memorial. State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan of Stow, a member of the memorial's Board of Directors, emceed the event to honor past, present and future firefighters. The memorial's design features a sculpture of three firefighters and a Ring of Honor, which consists of granite stones bearing the names of fire departments, fire associations and names of firefighters. Both memorials are open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Times are subject to change, so check out www. mafirememorial.org before visiting. These memorials are a beautiful and fitting tribute to our brave, dedicated public servants.

Columbus Day: Happy Columbus Day! Although it was observed earlier this week, the actual holiday is Oct. 12, as proclaimed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1937. On this day, we commemorate Christopher Columbus landing on the shores of the New World in 1492. The explorer was born in 1451 in Genoa, Italy, the oldest of three sons born to Domenico Colombo, a woolworker and small-scale merchant, and his wife, Susanna Fontanarossa.

Italian-American Heritage Month: In addition to Columbus Day at the beginning of October, the month itself celebrates those of Italian descent. In 1999, Gov. Argeo Paul Cellucci, a Hudson native, began the tradition of proclaiming October Italian-American Heritage Month in the commonwealth. This year is the ninth anniversary of the celebratory month.

As always, please feel free to share your questions, comments or opinions with me by calling (617) 722- 2430; writing to Room 236 State House, Boston, MA 02133; or sending e-mail to Rep.PatriciaWalrath@hou. state.ma.us.

Editor's note: Rep. Walrath serves the 3rd Middlesex District of Hudson, Bolton, Maynard and Stow.