Massachusetts Senate adopts resolution honoring Evacuation Day; presents several ceremonial resolutions

The Massachusetts Senate on March 17 adopted a resolution commending the South Boston Citizens Association for its role in marking Evacuation Day (March 17, 1776) and presented several additional ceremonial resolutions recognizing awareness months and organizational milestones.

The resolution, introduced by Senator Collins and discussed on the Senate floor, won a voice vote; the clerk recorded “the ayes have it” and the resolution was adopted. Sponsors also read a group of ceremonial resolutions honoring public-health awareness months and a 100th anniversary.

Senator Stewart framed Evacuation Day as an early American victory, noting its role in the end of the Siege of Boston and the wider Revolutionary effort. Stewart said the monument at Dorchester Heights — now under renovation with support from the National Park Service and the United States Congress — “is a symbol of that effort.” Stewart also recounted historical details about Irish-American participants in the 1776 action and said the password reportedly used at the time “was Saint Patrick,” reflecting the event’s local and cultural ties.

Tom McGrath, president of the South Boston Citizens Association, thanked the Senate for the recognition and urged restoration of the day as a state holiday. McGrath said it had been “very upsetting when it was taken away” and added, “Without evacuation day, there’s no Fourth of July.” His remarks were followed by the invited signing of the Senate guest book.

Also read on the floor were resolutions by other sponsors: by Mr. Cronin commending the Anticoagulation Forum, Inc., for recognizing May 2025 as Hypertension Awareness Month; by Mr. Driscoll commending the New England chapter of the National Kidney Foundation for recognizing March 2025 as Kidney Disease Awareness Month; and by Miss Lovely congratulating C.R. Lyons and Sons Funeral Directors on its 100th anniversary. The transcript records those resolutions being read but does not record separate roll-call votes for each; the Senate record thus shows presentation of those measures with no individual vote tallies recorded in the provided transcript.

Votes at a glance: the resolution commending the South Boston Citizens Association and recognizing Evacuation Day was adopted by voice vote (“the ayes have it”); the order setting the Senate to reconvene Monday next at 11:00 a.m. was adopted by voice vote; the motion to adjourn was adopted by voice vote. The transcript does not provide roll-call tallies for the ceremonial resolutions read earlier in the session.

The chamber also received guests during the session, including Peter Burke, Ireland’s cabinet minister for tourism and employment, who was acknowledged by senators; Sheila Fitzgerald, identified as the Consul General; Lieutenant Jeffrey Dye, introduced on his appointment as legislative liaison to the state police; and the Hamilton-Wenham girls cross-country team, presented as the 2024 MIAA Division 3 state champions. The session recessed briefly for the recognitions and then adjourned to meet again Monday at 11:00 a.m.

The meeting’s ceremonial acknowledgments underscore local historical observances and community organizations’ activities; the transcript shows requests from community leaders to restore broader recognition for Evacuation Day, but no statutory change was proposed or voted on during this session.