►
Description
At the Seaport Hotel, Mayor Walsh presents the 2020 Martin J. Walsh Leadership in Recovery Award to Jon Cronin. In 1997, Cronin and then-State Representative Walsh were among the leaders who formed the Joseph Nee South Boston Collaborative Center to give a helping hand to residents in recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.
A
Welcome
my
name
is
Andy
Ward
I'm,
the
director
of
the
Joseph
Denis
South,
Boston
collaborative
Center.
Welcome
to
our
event
this
evening
and
our
presentation
of
the
Martin
J
Walsh
leadership
and
recovery
award.
I
I
was
sitting
down
thinking
and
trying
to
put
together
some
notes
for
comments
and
welcome
this
evening
and
I
was
looking
at
our
list
of
nonprofits
and
speakers
this
evening
and
I.
The
thought
crossed
my
mind
that
really
what
the
collaborative
center
represents
and
what
this
award
represents
is
with
substance
dependence.
A
What
we've
learned
over
the
years,
it's
a
complex
issue
that
requires
multi-level
complex
interventions
and
this
evening
we're
very
fortunate
to
have
individuals
from
represent
the
layers
of
that
intervention
in
that
complexity.
That
helps
address
this
issue
in
combat
the
scourge
of
opiate
overdose
in
our
city.
If
you
can
take
a
few
minutes,
we
have
a
one-pager
that
lists
the
South
Boston
nonprofits
out
front
and
those
are
key
partners
in
what
we
do
with
housing
with
family
support,
with
job
support
with
residential
support.
A
The
elected
leaders
here
this
evening,
certainly
mayor
Walsh,
the
governor
Baker,
are
key
to
creating
initiatives.
Legislation
of
legislative,
sorry,
I've
got
a
cold.
The
legislative
initiatives
that
support
provide
vital
support
to
the
folks
we
work
with,
who
are
some
of
the
most
vulnerable
people
in
our
city.
So
when
I
come
to
these
things
and
I
actually
love
smaller
events
like
this,
because
they're
they're,
more
intimate,
they're,
actually
more
personal,
which
I
I
wrote
a
small
clinics
or
everything
like
that.
A
It
approached
it's
great
to
be
able
to
connect
people
with
what
we
do
and
how
we
do
what
we
do
in
the
ingredients2
to
what
we
do
so
I.
Welcome
you
all
in
the
spirit
of
that
this
evening,
and
also
I
have
a
long
list
of
thank-yous,
because
the
joni
collaborative
Center
is
would
not
be
here
today
without
support
from
and
help
from
important
folks
and
what
I'm
gonna.
Let's
list
them
off
for
you
and
please
bear
with
me
so
certainly,
first,
the
board
and
staff
of
the
center.
A
Thank
you
all
for
your
support
and
dedication
to
the
work.
It's
it's.
The
disease
can
leave
you
feeling
at
times
hopeless
and
coming
back
to
work
and
getting
back
in
the
trenches.
You
know
the
board
supports
our
efforts
to
do
that
and
the
staff
does
the
the
the
work
in
the
trenches.
So
thank
you.
Our
elected
leaders,
certainly
mayor
Walsh,
was
with
us
this
evening,
governor
Baker
Speaker
DeLeo,
both
past
awardees
centered
in
at
Collins,
who
was
here
earlier
representative
David
Beale,
who
was
with
us
a
little
earlier.
A
Also
senator
seer
is
with
us
I
think
this
evening.
I
know,
if
he's
still
here,
but
thank
you
for
attending
city
councillors.
Ed
Flynn
and
Mike
Flaherty
at
Flynn
was
here
a
little
earlier
and
congressman
Stephen
Lynch,
who
I
always
sort
have
fun,
remembering
him
as
a
state
representative
when
I
first
met
him
working
down
here,
I
have
some
special
thank
yous
to
mention
Darlene
Sheehan,
who
was
a
founding
director
who
was
a
real
guiding
light
for
the
work
we
do.
Bill
McGonagall
we're
in
Boston,
Housing,
Authority
property
and
sadly,
bill
passed.
A
This
fall
and
he
was
a
big
driving
force,
helping
to
create
the
space
where
we
are
now
in
housing
properties,
so
I
wanted
to
mention
them,
and
particularly
the
nee
family,
whose
generosity
has
allowed
us
to
continue
Joanie's
legacies
through
our
name
and
I'd
like
to
welcome
the
nee
family
who's.
Here
this
evening,.
A
B
Yeah
we
appreciate
it,
though
so
I'll
just
go
over
a
quick
kind
of
like
line
item
history.
A
little
bit
so
I
got
I
had
a
great
fortune
there,
working
for
a
long
time
with
Tony
and
so
Susan
Kelly,
Kristin,
Brian
and
Donna
are
here
and
what
he
did
in
our
community.
South
Boston
was
amazing,
so
he
was
like
the
outside
guy
and
I
was
the
inside
guy.
B
So
at
the
same
time
that
a
new
type
of
heroin
emerged
to
sell
Boston
endured
a
suicide
cluster
and
we
had
a
thought,
Toto
and
I
of
having
a
place
in
South
Boston,
where
we
could
respond
to
that.
And
so
we
went
to
Bill
McGonagall
and
said:
do
you
have
an
apartment
in
Old
Colony
development?
He
did
our
first
director
darling,
Jean
was
hired
and
doto
bill
and
a
Darlene
have
all
passed
away,
but
we
will
not
forget
them
because
their
work
lives
on
every
day
and
then
dodo
and
I
got
to
pick
the
board.
B
So
we
asked
John
Cronin
founding
board
member,
and
then
we
committed
blasphemy
for
lifelong
South
Bostonians.
We
reached
across
the
line
and
asked
an
elected
official
from
Dorchester
to
come
and
help
us,
and
that
was
representative
Marty
Walsh.
As
those
dark
days
grew,
we
did
door
knocks
throughout
the
community.
We
had
a
lot
of
help.
The
elected
official,
regular
community
members
first
responders
that
are
representing
here
today,
because
the
the
community
was
so
traumatized
by
all
of
these
debts
in
a
really
short
time.
B
The
dark
days
started
to
go
away,
but
the
collaborative
Senate
was
the
epicenter
of
the
response
in
the
community.
For
those
things
and
as
the
dark
days
passed,
we
got
a
new
site.
It
was
the
site
of
the
back
to
the
old
Washington
village
library,
also
with
an
old
colony.
So
Andy
has
a
bigger
space
to
see
a
lot
more
people
and
Andy's
been
a
director
for
a
while,
and
he
does
a
great
great
job.
B
We
survived
by
a
lot
of
fundraising
right
and
we
have
a
line
item
that
Mayor
Walsh
is
reminding
me
was
put
in
in
1998.
Mr.
speaker,
thank
you
and
it
continues
today.
So
we
appreciate
it
governor.
Thank
you.
So
I'll
tell
you
this
that
everyday
people
are
helped
at
the
collaborative
every
day.
Lives
had
changed
in
those
changed,
lives,
change,
other
lives
and
the
downward
spiral
spiral
of
addiction
in
families
has
gotten
reversed.
C
Good
evening,
everyone
and
thank
you
all
for
being
here
I-
would
really
love.
If
you
just
took
a
look
around
this
room
and
you
see
what
we
call
is
a
power
collaborative,
but
that's
a
good
thing.
You
have
to
market
things
like
that,
because
it
just
shows
that
you
really
care.
You
did
not
forget
where
you
came
from
my
boss,
Mayor
Walsh
has
really
allowed
for
the
Boston
Police
Department
to
go
forward
with
some
pretty
keen
policies
and
initiatives
as
well.
C
You
know
the
mayor
can't
do
it
alone:
the
onus
for
helping
to
combat
opioid
dependencies,
mental
health
issues,
homeless
issues,
the
onus
isn't
solely
on
one
individual
or
entity.
Sort
of
like
to
thank
you
as
well,
governor
and
Speaker
of
the
House,
my
brother's
over
here,
Andy
Ward,
your
mic
kanaeva.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
Thank
you,
but
don't
forget
to
thank
yourselves
folks
about
what
you're
doing
a
lot
of
people
in
your
position.
You
know
a
lot
of
people
think
that,
like
you
know
what
they
made
it,
they
kind
of
little
dough.
C
They
don't
care
anymore
wrong.
Don't
forget
to
think
yourselves,
don't
forget
what
your
self-worth
is.
I'm
telling
you
right
now,
I
can
speak
for
my
brothers
because
I
see
them
out
there.
Every
day
you
have
Commissioner
Finn
and
chief
Huli
Commissioner
Finn.
Of
course,
Fire
Department
chief
uli
EMS
we're
out
there
every
day
and
it's
good
to
know
that
there
are
folks
that
have
our
back
and
folks
that
have
the
backs
of
the
citizens
of
Boston.
That
just
need
a
little
help
and
my
brother
John
Cronin.
C
Not
only
do
you
beautify
the
city,
but
you
don't
let
you
don't
let
people
forget
that
no
family
starts
off
with
a
little
one
as
a
dependent
on
or
with
mental
health
issues,
and
that
there
is
nothing
wrong
folks,
but
reaching
out
to
lift
up
not
reaching
down
in
pity,
reaching
out
to
lift
up
folks
that
just
need
a
little
help
and
showing
away
any
family
good
for
you
good
for
you.
You
want
to
talk
about
commitment,
Wow,
that's
what's
needed!
That's
why
Boston
so
great!
C
That's
why
the
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts
is
so
great
because
of
folks
like
you,
it
needs
to
be
said,
I'm
glad
you're
being
honored.
Today,
you
go
above
and
beyond,
as
well
as
a
lot
of
you
in
this
room
for
the
Boston
Police
Department.
The
mayor
allowed
for
me
to
create
a
street
outreach
unit
again
outreach
to
lift
up.
C
My
officers
are
led
by
deputy
Stratton
real
brother
from
the
neighborhood
of
Dorchester
works
very
hard.
Each
and
every
day,
I
have
about
six
officers
in
that
unit,
supplemented
by
officers
from
the
citywide
bicycle
unit.
Twelve
officers
in
total
are
recovery.
Coaches.
We
work
collaboratively
with
Boston
Medical
Center,
the
Falkner
Mass
General.
C
All
of
our
great
clinics
such
as
don't
need.
We
work,
we
work,
we
work
every
day
as
well
as
the
Boston
emergency
services
team,
the
best
team-
and
you
can't
for
great.
You
can't
forget
the
great
centers
that
represent
the
homeless
as
well
and
their
judges.
Guess
what
folks
judges
are
on
board.
We
have
some
first
justices
that
are
in
there
every
day.
That
know
that
cuffs
are
not
the
answer,
but
some
people
do
have
to
be
held
responsible
for
bringing
the
poises
in
our
neighborhoods,
but
the
victims
of
over
you
at
this
opioid
crisis.
C
They
need
a
little
help,
and
sometimes
we
have
to
make
sure
that
we
are
the
parents
in
the
room
and
we
help
them
out
so
again,
our
judicial
system,
with
judge
coffee,
Weingarten,
MacDonald
and
mcCormick,
are
instrumental
in
helping
us
out
again.
The
collaborative
is
what
we're
speaking
of
the
onus
isn't
solely
on
the
police
department,
the
mayor
the
governor,
but
the
onus
is
on
all
of
us,
but
guess
what
we
are
sending
a
message
we
are
one
of
the
leaders
in
the
nation.
C
A
D
I
just
want
to
thank
the
knee
family
also.
We
have
enough
number
initiatives
going
on
that.
We've
started
with
the
Boston
Fire
Department
back,
probably
five
or
six
years
ago,
around
the
opioid
crisis
and
I
want
you
to
say
that
there's,
probably
not
everybody
in
this
room
know
someone
who's
been
affected
by
that
opioid
crisis,
whether
it's
a
family
member,
a
friend,
cousin,
idear,
friend's
son,
a
daughter,
so
everyone's
been
impacted
and
I
also
want
to
thank
Beach
on
thank
a
couple
members
of
my
department,
one
retired
one
active
and
that
be.
D
That
apple
doesn't
fall
far
from
the
tree.
Folks,
dodo
would
be
salivating
at
the
crowd
here
tonight,
but
Brian
and
Willie
came
to
me
with
an
initiative
that
they
want
to
launch
called
faith
which
was
basically
fighting
addiction
in
the
hub,
and
we
did
a
number
of
conferences
around
that
and
from
one
of
the
conference's
we
developed
this
program
called
knock-and-talk.
So
knock-and-talk
is
when
we,
as
you
can
imagine,
we
do
a
lot
of
responses
around
the
opioid
issue
in
the
opioid
crisis,
overdoses
and
so
on.
D
We
actually,
if
we
have
a
good
address
like
we
go
to
a
resonance
and
it's
not
a
bathroom
some
on
the
street
issue.
We
actually
follow
up.
We
go
back
within
48
hours
with
a
team,
we
engage
the
family,
we
engage
the
individual
and
we
truck,
we
get
them
into
treatment
and
we
provide
narcan
and
with
our
recovery
coaches.
And
if
you
will,
the
collaboration
between
the
mayor's
office
recovery
services,
Jen
Tracy.
We
go
out
into
the
neighborhood
into
those
individual
homes
and
try
to
make
a
difference.
D
We
have
visited
all
the
500
homes
in
the
city
of
Boston,
with
that
and
we've
probably
have
distributed
close
to
3,000
doses
of
knock
in
and
the
and
the
teaching,
and
if
you
will
that
with
that,
and
we're
also
probably
been
able
successfully
to
get
people
into
treatment
in
the
type
of
treatment
they
needed,
you
know
we
have
our
members
on
our
IEP
team.
If
you
will
and
I
got
to
give
a
shout
out
to
them,
we
got
Eamon
Miller's
with
us.
Today
he
was
leading
the
program
for
our
salmon.
D
If
you
will
people
who
were
starting
to
get
back
some
of
those
people
that
went
into
the
recovery
and
have
found
it
I,
starting
to
give
back
and
come
back
to
our
program
and
assist
us
with
this
endeavor.
So
I
would
just
like
to
say
thank
you
to
the
people
from
the
Boston
Fire
Department
donors
and
John.
Congratulations
on
your.
What
tonight
certainly
well
deserved,
like
I
said:
dodo
is
a
dear
friend
and
I.
D
Just
look
and
think
about
look
at
so
early
I
got
laughing
because
he
was
such
a
dear
friend
not
just
to
the
South
Boston
community
dodo
touched
every
space.
He
went
into
that
smile
that
handshake,
and
you
know
that
that,
if
you
will
it
don't
need
South,
Boston
Mass,
that's
only
enthused
himself
and
we
did
a
lot
of
traveling
and
that's
how
he
introduced
himself
dodo
nice,
elf
Boston.
He
wasn't
afraid
to
engage
people,
and
it
certainly
was
no
surprise
when
the
crisis
hit
South
Boston.
D
E
E
So
I
guess
you
got
to
be
from
South
Boston
as
opposed
to
the
other
side
of
the
tunnel,
but
that's
okay.
It
doesn't
bother
me,
but
it's
wonderful
to
see
so
many
folks
here
and
obviously
to
have
our
governor
here,
our
excellency
his
mayor,
the
mayor
and
I,
used
to
be
friends
not
so
much
anymore.
He
did
a
couple
of
things
actually
the
last
couple
of
months.
That
really
irritated
me.
E
E
He
was
at
the
Belfast
cup
and
not
in
Belfast
Island
and
the
Huskies
northeastern
us.
He
brought
home
and
you
act
as
if
you
really
wanted
them
to
win
more
I
know
you
didn't
so
we're
sort
of
on
the
outs
now,
but
next
year.
Well,
I
really
love
them,
and
it's
also
great
to
be
joined
here
by
representatives,
Decker
and
Beal,
informal
representatives,
Costello
and
Dempsey
as
well,
and,
of
course,
the
you
John.
E
One
of
the
things
is
I
think
Brian
can
remember
is
we
would
talk
to
the
representatives
in
terms
of
what
are
the
major
issues
that
are
on
your
mind
that
you
want
to
see
addressed
in
this,
this
year's
budget,
and
invariably
for
many
years
it
was
consistently
local
aid,
education,
local
aid,
education.
That's
what
she
heard
consistently
and
I'd
have
to
say
that
over
the
years.
Unfortunately,
that
has
changed
somewhat,
although
those
are
still
two
very
very
important
issues
right.
Mr.
mayor
I'm,
sorry
about
that,
those
are
two
very,
very
important
issues.
E
What
I
hear
consistently
now,
along
with
those
two,
is
fighting
drug
abuse,
no
matter
which
representative,
it
is
no
matter
what
part
of
the
state
they're
for
they're
from
no
matter
what
the
you
know,
whether
their
can
say
middle
class
or
highway,
whatever
particular
urban,
suburban
rural,
whatever
it
may
be.
That's
the
consistent
theme
that
I
hear
each
and
every
year
now
and
I
can
say
that
I
have
been
very,
very
proud
to
work
with
its
excellence
Lee
that
governor
right
there,
governor
Baker,
has
done
a
tremendous
job
on
this
issue.
E
But
bringing
that
message
throughout
the
country
as
well,
that
you
know
we've
done
a
lot.
We've
done
a
lot
in
terms
of
you
know:
providing
funds
in
increasing
services,
increasing
counseling,
increasing
beds
and
the
like,
but
our
battle
isn't
isn't
over
each
and
every
year.
Folks,
for
this
is
going
to
be
one
of
the
major
issues
affecting
us
and
I
could
tell
you,
because
each
year
is
I
feel
like
we're,
making
this
great
progress,
there's
something
that
happens.
That
reminds
me
that
we
still
have
a
problem
out
there.
This
past
summer.
E
That's
why
I'm
here
this
evening
really
to
thank
each
and
every
one
of
you
for
all
the
great
work
that
you
do,
the
collaborative
for
all
the
great
work
that
they
you
do,
but
those
of
you
again
who,
on
day
in
and
day
out
basis,
they're
on
the
front
lines
so
that
we
can
fight
again
this
terrible
disease.
Thank
you
so
much
to
John.
Congratulations
to
you
on
this
well-deserved,
honor
I
know
it's
been
an
issue
which
has
been
important.
You
know
to
you
for
many
many
of
years
I.
E
F
You
know
I
didn't
run
for
governor
to
work
on
this
issue.
It
just
sort
of
found
me
wherever
I
went
and-
and
so
then
I
started
talking
about
it
and
I've
told
this
story
before,
but
I
think
it's
important
because
it
speaks
to
some
extent
to
what
the
collaborative
and
what
those
who've
been
in
the
trenches
on
this
issue.
Long
before
the
rest
of
us
discovered.
F
It
are
all
about
and
kind
of
what
kind
of
people
were
part
of
that
community
and
once
I
started
talking
about
it
had
a
lot
of
people
who
would
come
up
to
me
almost
everywhere,
I
went
and
start
telling
me
their
stories
and
I
got
to
tell
you.
I
had
a
whole
bunch
of
people,
especially
when
I
was
in
Boston.
Who
would
come
up
to
me
and
say
you
know
you
really
ought
to
talk
to
Mayor
Walsh
about
this.
F
He
knows
a
lot
about
this
issue
and
I'd,
say
yeah,
yeah,
sure,
I'll,
talk
to
mayor,
Walsh,
guying,
probably
not
going
to
vote
for
me,
but
what
the
hell
and
then
they
would
literally
and
then
they
would
literally
reach
into
their
pocket
and
they
would
take
out
their
phone
and
they
would
say
no
really.
You
should
talk
to
me.
Oh
wow
I
got
his
number
right
here.
F
I
call
him
whenever
I'm
not
feeling
quite
right,
and
he
always
takes
my
call,
and
he
helps
me
and
I
think
one
of
the
things
we
should
all
remember
about
this
and
mr.
speaker,
you've
been
a
superstar
on
working
with
us
to
increase
funding
and
support
across
the
Commonwealth
for
services,
for
people
and
for
families
who
are
dealing
with
this
terrible
terrible
epidemic.
F
You
know
we're
talking
about
pioneers
here,
we're
talking
about
people
who
are
reaching
out
and
investing
their
time
and
whatever
treasure
they
could
find
to
help
people
when
the
clarion
call
really
hadn't
been
sounded
yet
and
I
think
one
of
the
things
that's
very
special
about
this
organization.
Jum
again,
my
god,
you
taught
me
more
about
this
during
the
course
of
that
campaign
than
just
about
anybody.
F
The
people
who've
been
in
on
this.
What
I
would
call
sort
of
from
the
beginning
this
was.
These
were
very
special
people
engaged
in
a
very
quiet
but
incredibly
critical
and
important
war
of
their
own.
It
just
took
a
while
for
the
rest
of
us
to
figure
it
out
and
try
to
help,
and
that's
really
in
some
ways
what
the
collaborative
because
of
the
history
that
Mike
talked
about
and
then
Andy
talked
about
and
that
the
knee
family
was
all
about
got
into
long
before
the
rest
of
the
world
figured
this
out.
F
This
is
a
100
percent.
Everybody
rowing
in
the
same
direction
issue
here
in
the
Commonwealth:
it's
100
percent,
with
law
enforcement,
it's
100
percent
with
the
fire
department,
it's
100
percent,
with
the
EMTs,
it's
100
percent,
with
the
provider
community,
it's
100
percent
with
the
cities
and
towns
it's
100
percent
with
the
legislature.
F
There
is
like
very
few
issues,
I
can
think
of
where
everybody's
trying
to
find
a
way
to
help,
and
we
have
made
progress
on
this.
We
should
be
proud
of
the
work
that's
been
done,
but,
as
the
speaker
said,
there's
tons
and
tons
left
to
do
on
this
and
I
just
want
to
say
how
much
those
of
us
who
now
sit
on
the
shoulders
of
those
who
were
there
at
the
beginning.
F
We
appreciate
the
work
that
you
did
the
ground,
that
you
laid
the
path
that
you
set
out
for
the
rest
of
us
and
I
hope
to
god.
We
stick
with
it
and
we
stay
with
it
with
the
same
level
of
endurance
and
commitment
that
you
brought
to
it,
because
this
is
a
many
people
say
it's
not
over
and
we
have
a
ton
of
a
long
way
to
go
and
I'm.
Quite
sure
that
John
and
Nikki,
because
they
were
there
for
a
long
time,
we'll
be
there
all
the
way.
Congratulations.
A
G
G
The
collaborators
was
founded
because
suicide
clusters
a
little
about
six
months
later,
the
collaborative
was
dealing
with
the
issues
of
drug
addiction
and
alcoholism,
running
groups
for
young
people
trying
to
help
them
whose
family
members
are
suffering
with
this
disease.
Understanding.
How
do
we
get
the
word
out
there
and
we
started
to
get
involved
a
little
bit.
Billy
Kennedy
who
just
walked
in
the
room
was
was
then
chief
of
staff,
Tommy,
Fenner
and
I
went
to
Billy
and
I
said.
I
want
to
set
up
a
line
item
for
the
South
Boston
collaborative
in
South
Boston.
G
They
didn't
understand
what
I
was
doing
from
Dorchester
said
I'm
for
line
and
facade
Boston,
and
we
were
able
to
set
the
line
and
I'm
up.
Then
chairman
bills
and
third
reading
was
Bob.
Julie,
oh
and
you
know
getting
more
active
and
stuff
over
time.
Broad
Leo
became
the
chairman
of
ways
and
means
and
I
remember,
having
conversations
in
the
room.
G
I
didn't
have
to
go
into
the
room
and
explain
to
Bob
DeLeo
what
was
going
on,
because
something
happened
in
one
I
think
his
son's
hockey
team
had
had
a
kid
that
they
lost
and
was
talking
about
the
scariness
of
this
disease
and
not
too
long
after.
He
called
me
about
a
young
lady
from
Winthrop
the
young
girl
from
lambda
that
needed
help
we're
able
to
get
that
person
to
detox
and
she
went
on
the
run.
G
If
you
remember
the
story
and
then
two
years
later,
as
that
recovery
day
at
the
Statehouse
and
in
this
woman
came
up
and
tapped
me
on
the
shoulder-
and
she
told
me
that
she
was
a
young
woman
that
that
I
helped
get
her
into
treatment,
and
she
thanked
me
and
I
said.
Don't
thank
me
going
on
thank
Bob
de
Leo
because
he
was
doing
that
work.
So
I
want
to
thank
the
speaker
for
that.
Then
the
speaker.
G
Was
there
every
step
of
the
way
on
this
issue
or
whatever
it
was,
and
there's
been
so
much
so
many
people
in
this
room,
Madhuri
Decker,
is
keeping
that
work
going
now.
Marjorie
called
me
the
other
day
on
a
sub
budget
and
talked
about
some
issues
in
there.
Julianne
seer,
the
chairman
on
the
Senate
side,
to
see
earlier.
The
fact
that
he
was
here
speaks
volumes,
the
governor
of
the
Commonwealth,
when
the
governor's
first
three
four
months
in
as
governor
filed
four
pieces
of
legislation
to
deal
with
the
crisis.
G
It
wasn't
just
funding,
but
it
was
some
other
things
in
there
that
happened,
and
so,
when
you
think
about
think
about
this
addiction
and
dick
about
the
crisis
that
we're
facing
it
literally
takes
a
family
in
the
family
at
the
State.
House
has
been
consistent
for
a
long
time,
but
in
the
last,
in
the
last
honestly,
the
last
three
four
years
there's
been
a
bigger
focus
at
the
State
House
on
the
issue
and
not
just
about
funding
about
how
do
we?
G
How
do
we
go
after
this
crisis
at
the
core
of
it,
and
I
want
to
thank
the
elected
leaders
that
are
here
because
without
you
we
wouldn't
be
where
we
are,
and
so
thank
you
for
that
to
the
nee
family
I
was
laughing,
I
came
in,
I
was
talking
to
Michael.
If
daughter
was
here
right
now,
he
with
all
the
money
in
the
room
he'd
be
having
a
live
auction.
G
G
Would
say,
keeping
his
father's
legacy
going,
but
Brian's
creating
his
own
legacy
and
I
want
to
thank
Brian
for
all
his
work
and-
and
you
know,
John
McGann
has
already
mentioned
tonight
a
couple
of
times
and
I
could
go
around
the
room
and
mention
almost
everyone.
We
also
have
the
mayor
Braintree
with
us
tonight,
Thank
You
mr.
mayor
for
being
here
tonight,
and
you
know
it's
amazing.
G
So
anything
when
you
have
an
organization
like
the
South
Boston
collaborative
you
have
the
government
side
of
it
and
before
1998
there
wasn't
a
government
side
of
it,
but
the
government
side
of
it
just
basically
kind
of
kept
the
doors
open.
What
really
works
is
the
philanthropic
side
of
it
and
I
had
a
chance.
I
didn't
know
him
before
this,
but
I
meant
John
Cronin
at
a
board
meeting
in
in
in
in
in
the
South
Boston
collaborative.
G
But
this
guy
John
Cronin
came
in
and
I
didn't
know
who
John
was
I
honestly
to
know
who
was
I
stopped
drinking
if
he
is
before
that
or
I
probably
would
have
known
well,
they
see
what
I'd
known
who
I
was,
but
so
we
do
want
to
live,
we're
doing
the
I
think
it's
the
first
event
ever
we're
gonna.
Do
it
the
selfie
at
the
the
the
ironworkers
hall
and
we're
looking
for
raffle
items
and,
and
so
John
comes
in
with
raffle
items.
G
Then
he
has
tickets
to
the
Red,
Sox
and
tickets
to
the
Bruins
and
tickets
of
the
Patriots
and
tickets
to
the
Celtics
and
picture
this
and
pictures
of
that
and
a
weekend
here
in
a
weekend
there
and
and
literally
I
think
he
brought
in
in
his
own
about
a
hundred
different
auction
items
that
were
pretty
impressive
and
I
didn't
again.
I
didn't
know
who
John
wise
and
I'm
like
who
is
this
guy
and
they
go?
He
owns
the
body
on
the
tree.
Oh
it's
good.
G
You
know
and
the
night
of
the
event
the
night
of
the
event.
It
was
a
silent
auction
and
right
before
right
before
the
auction,
closed
John
had
gone
around
to
every
single
table
and
outbid
every
single
person
on
the
auction
items
that
he
had
donated
and
to
me,
I
was
like
who
is
this
guy
and
and
then
I
watched
him
just
give
generously
for
it
financially,
but
also
give
his
time
to
the
collaborative
and
so
many
other
organizations
solidly.
He
didn't
have
to
do
that.
He
simply
could
have
just
like
any
other
owner.
G
If
any
business
give
it
a
couple,
auction
items
and
walk
away
and
say
you
know,
I
did
my
thing
and
he
didn't
and
he
got
so
engaged
and
continue
to
stay
engaged
in
the
issue
and
his
team.
That's
with
him
tonight
also
are
engaged
in
the
issue.
You
know
the
collaborative
would
not
be
probably
maybe
even
there
today
or
what
it
is
today
if
it
wasn't
for
the
generosity
of
John,
Cronin
and
I,
don't
think
I'm
overstating
that
and
any
stretch
the
imagination.
G
You
know
him
and
dodo
were
an
amazing
partnership
and
team
in
the
de
Borda
board
throughout
the
time
has
been
an
amazing
group
of
people
that
would
have
gone
there
I
think
about
tonight.
The
amount
of
lives
we
can
never
weaken.
We
know
who
we've
lost.
We
know
we've
lost
because
unfortunately
there
was
a
funeral
and
a
grave
and
a
headstone,
but
we
don't
know
the
countless
numbers
of
people
have
been
saved
because
of
the
efforts
of
the
South
Boston
collaborative.
G
We
might
have
a
guess
in
a
few
people,
but
we
have
no
idea
the
impact
of
the
collaborative
is
made
on
people.
So
when
we
think
about
what
we've
gone
through
over
the
last,
you
know
I
honestly
think
this
is
a
crisis
back
in
the
90s
and
hasn't
stopped
being
a
crisis
an
epidemic.
The
last
few
years
has
been
labeled
an
epidemic,
but
it
was
an
epidemic
in
97.
Was
an
epidemic
in
87?
Is
an
epidemic
way
back
when?
But
you
think
about
the
countless
number
of
lives
that
have
been
saved.
G
Those
lives
would
not
be
saved
if
great
people
didn't
step
up
to
the
plate,
just
because
they
wanted
to
and
make
such
a
huge
impact
to
you,
John
Cronin
the
people
in
this
room
here,
cuz
of
you
they're
here,
because
of
what
you've
done
for
the
community,
the
young
people,
the
South
Boston
collaborative
that
have
been
saved
because
of
the
program.
A
lot
of
it
falls
on
your
shoulders
because,
anytime,
the
clappers
needed
anything
you've
been
there
for
the
collaborative
and
I
know.
G
You
know
there's
this
award,
the
speaker
has
it's
a
good
kick
out
of
it:
the
Mountain
J
Walsh
leadership
and
recovery
award,
but
this
this
award
could
very
easily
easily
be
the
John
Cronin
leadership
award
because
of
the
impact
you've
made
in
so
many
countless
lives
so
to
you,
John
Cronin,
to
your
wife
into
your
family.
The
people
of
Boston
in
Massachusetts
are
indebted
to
you
forever.
Congratulations
and
well-deserved.
H
So
it's
gonna
be
pretty
tough
to
follow
that
between
a
commissioner
gross
and
Joe
Commissioner,
fire
departments,
speaker
great
friend,
and
obviously
our
leader
Charlie
at
the
Statehouse.
You
know.
Thank
you
all
for
all
that
you
guys
do.
You
really
are
the
glue
that
holds
this
camellias
City
the
state
together,
one
of
quick
thanks
to
Jim
Carmody
in
the
Seaport
and
the
Liberty
Bay
credit
union
for
hosting
us
tonight.
You
guys
are
very
generous
and-
and
it
is
an
open
bar.
H
On
behalf
of
like
everybody
here
all
the
elected
officials,
my
wife
and
a
call
Michael
Steve
Shaun
Bobby,
the
entire
team
at
the
Carano
group,
I,
really
want
to
thank
mayor.
Walsh
Marie,
as
we
all
know,
has
been
at
this
for
longer
than
any
of
us
can
imagine.
20-30
years
he's
been
at
this,
I
met
him,
as
you
say
it.
H
97,
late,
97,
98
20,
something
years
ago
and
I
don't
know
who
he
was
either
he
wasn't
drinking
at
the
time
right
whatever
and
and
we
wore
down
we'd
meet
down
in
the
projects
of
the
old
colony
and
we'd,
sit
down
and
we'd.
You
know
have
some
really
really
bad
coffee
and
eat
Doritos
and
try
and
figure
out.
You
know
how
we
were
gonna,
make
the
collaborative,
have
an
impact
and
save
some
lives
and
make
a
difference,
and
right
around
that
same
time
that
we
opened
up
the
collaborative
it.
H
H
We'd
get
together
when
we
go
out,
we'd
have
a
few
beers
after
me,
then
we
say:
what
can
we
do?
How
can
we
fix
this
welcome?
You
know,
what's
going
on
and
we'll
have
a
time
and
we'll
do
this,
and
and
and
it
was
just
a
constant,
constant
battle
and
a
slog-
and
there
was
great
people-
there
was
people
at
the
city
level,
those
people
at
the
state
level.
There
was
the
whole
self
Boston
political
delegation.
H
There
was
people
in
the
community
just
like
dodo
and
Michael,
and
that
just
really
cared
and
everyone
pulled
together
and
it
was
it
was.
We
had
to
was
a
matter
of
life
and
death
and
it
real
that's
exactly
what
it
was
back
then.
So.
The
the
response
that
was
put
together
by
the
collaborative
was
something
I
think,
as
the
governor
said,
was
kind
of
groundbreaking
in
a
way,
and
it
was
due
to
the
really
the
the
efforts
of
three
three
entities.
H
So
I've
always
said
that,
as
we
were
small
business,
we
have
a
great
little
business
in
Southie
and
the
community
supported
us
and
the
more
they
support
us.
The
more
we
get
back
so
the
public
sector,
which
do
fantastic
work
and
our
dedicated
servants-
and
you
can't
say
enough
about
it-
the
nonprofit's
not
just
in
South
Boston,
but
in
Boston,
as
a
city
and
in
the
state
and
statewide
and
the
private
sector,
us
so
we're
the
guys
down
here.
Building
buildings,
shiny
towers,
we're
all
doing.
Okay,
we're
all
doing
pretty
good.
H
So
we've
invited
seven
different
nonprofits
here
tonight
and
you
know
I
think
they're,
all
on
the
list
and
I
encourage
you
guys
to
you,
know,
try
and
reach
out
and
swap
a
business
card
or
say
hi
or
or
you
know,
just
learn
a
little
bit
about
it.
They
are
Bill
and
Denise.
Richards
are
here
from
the
mountain
Rachel
Foundation,
which
is
an
absolute.
H
H
H
As
the
mayor
said,
John
McCain-
you
have
been-
you
know
more
about
this
than
any
of
us
will
probably
ever
know,
and
the
work
you
do
is
absolutely
amazing.
So
John
McGowan
with
Gavin
foundation,
I
think
Paul.
Burton
is
still
here
and
Paul
who
paulin's
family
right.
There
do
amazing
work
with
underprivileged
kids
out
and
if
you
ever
get
a
chance
to
go
out
to
the
Ron
Burton
training
village,
please
get
out
there
meet
those
kids,
it's
it's
uplifting
for
you,
I,
don't
mind
what
you
can
do
for
them.
H
It's
it's
an
enlightening
experience
and
it's
fantastic.
The
South
Boston
neighborhood
house,
which
I've
been
involved
with
probably
for
20
years
and
Cathy
and
Mary,
are
here
and
just
this
Christmas
what
they
did
for
people
in
their
holiday
helper
program.
Feeding
providing
presents
providing
joy
for
families
have
nothing.
It
was
amazing,
so
please
get
in
touch
with
happy.
H
And,
of
course,
Andy
and
Toto
and
Sue,
as
you
know
in
the
coal
said
it
to
me
the
other
day,
it's
like
he's
still
with
us
he's
still
here.
You
know
she's
like
it's
we're
right.
It's
like
that
expects
you
go
for
beer
with
him
or
something
I'm
Joel
go
and
have
a
drink.
You
know,
I
was
like
it's,
it's
really
something
that
he
put
his
stamp
on
and
it's
gonna
be
here
forever,
so
Nate
allow
us
to
name
the
clabber
Center
after
him
and
Brian
continuing
the
his
legacy.
It's
amazing.
H
The
mayor
said
in
his
State
of
the
City
speech
last
week.
You
know
it's
smoke,
giving
it's
about
giving
people
a
hand
up,
not
a
handout.
It's
about
helping
and
being
able
to
accept
help.
So
the
community
here
today,
the
business
community,
the
private
sector,
community.
We
have
a
duty
and
obligation
and
it's
enjoyable,
get
involved
meet
these
people
say
love
shake
a
hand,
swap
a
business
card,
and
with
that
we
can
make
this
an
even
better
city,
great
state,
great
community.
So,
thank
you
all.
Thank
you
for
being
here.
Thank
you
for
caring.