News: Press Releases & Statements
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones Jr. Statement on The Passage of Melanie’s Bill
10.27.05 | Contact: Meredith Warren, 617-722-2100
“The road to coming to an agreement on Melanie’s Bill has been a long one, wrought with emotion and passion from lawmakers, the public, advocates for stiffer drunken driving laws, and those whose families have been ripped apart by people who get behind the wheel of a car after they’ve had too much to drink. During this process, we have seen how legislators can come together when it matters most. We have seen how intense media scrutiny can put a crucial public safety issue in the forefront of everyone’s mind. And we have seen how a grandfather whose life has been forever changed by a terrible tragedy can move an entire Legislature and state to take action. Gov. Romney and Lt. Gov. Healey deserve a great deal of credit for overcoming sometimes difficult odds to get a tougher drunken driving bill passed. I would like to thank Speaker DiMasi and Senate President Travaglini for guiding the Legislature through the process to get this bill passed. I am particularly proud of House and Senate Republicans who spoke with one voice on this bill from the start and stood their ground when they believed the Legislature could be even tougher on drunken driving. Members of my caucus, including Reps. Dan Webster, Lew Evangelidis and Jeffrey Perry, drew on their expertise in law and public safety to add eloquent testimony to the debate in the House. Finally, I would like to thank Melanie’s parents, Tod and Nancy Powell, and her grandfather, Ron Bersani. Thank you for never giving up.”