Former Lt. Gov. Stops In Newton During Final Week in Office

During his tenure at lieutenant governor, Tim Murray made quite an impact on the local veterans and military personnel, as evidenced by the standing ovation he received in Newton last week.

Tuesday, May 28, Murray joined Newton Mayor Setti Warren and other local officials at the Newton Free Library to talk about the strides made in providing services to veterans and the work that remains to be done.

The visit also provided an opportunity for several officials to thank Murray for the work he's done to advance veterans' services during his time in office.

"We in the Commonwealth are really going to miss you," Warren told Murray, calling him a "trail blazer."

Murray said he was pleased with the efforts that had been made to assist veterans, including initiatives focused on educational opportunities, work assistance programs and those to prevent homelessness.

The recently launched veterans Web portal, which features more than 400 searchable benefits and programs for veterans, was a significant recent success, Murray said.

He also spoke of particular action steps to be taken in the days ahead to further those efforts and expand into others.

Among other things, Murray said, the state must:

• be "aggressive in promoting and educating our veterans and their families about the benefits of the GI Bill."
• continue employment initiatives until "everyone who wants a job, gets a job."
• continue educating the general public about the needs of veterans.
• educate and inform veterans of the benefits they have earned.

"These resources don't mean anything unless people are aware and have access to them," Murray said.

Check out the attached video to see Maj. Gen. L. Scott Rice, adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard, present Murray with a commemorative statue.