Sen. Keenan to host Millennial Engagement Initiative

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State Sens. Eric P. Lesser, D-Longmeadow, and Ryan Fattman, R-Webster, and Senate President Stan Rosenberg will present “Millennial Engagement Initiative,” a statewide listening tour beginning in Springfield, at 5:30 p.m. March 30 at Old Quincy City Hall on Hancock Street.

In a recent op-ed, Lesser and Fattman described the intent of the tour as a way “to ask young people what they want [government] to do, and work to make that happen through the legislative process.”

To bring the tour to the South Shore area, state Sen. John F. Keenan, D-Quincy, will be hosting the “Millennial Engagement Initiative” for a roundtable discussion in Quincy.

“We need to hear from and involve millennials in public policy decisions, not only to demonstrate how their voices can be active in state government, but to learn what is affecting this generation and how we can support those needs,” Keenan said.

The event will be co-hosted by Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, Braintree Mayor Joseph Sullivan,
other local officials, Quincy College and the Quincy Chamber of Commerce.

“With more and more young people choosing to live and work in Quincy than ever before,” Koch said, “engaging them in their government is absolutely vital for the community we want today and the one we want for tomorrow. Sen. Keenan understands this very well, and I’m grateful for his work in capturing the opportunity to host this valuable discussion in Quincy.”

“The ‘Millennial Engagement Initiative’ inspires transformative change, and we are honored to co-host this event, providing our students with an opportunity to not only help shape the legislative process, but also to learn how they may become more involved in the progression
of forward thinking lawmaking,” said president of Quincy College Peter Tsaffaras.

Millennials, generally defined as anyone born between the early 1980s and early 2000s, are the first generation to grow up using the Internet and a vast array of other technologies that create new venues for communication and advocacy.

“As a state senator, I am responsible for representing all of the voices in my district properly.” Keenan said. “I am optimistic that this roundtable discussion will give power to the millennial voice which will only aid the future of our Commonwealth.”

The discussion is a public event and open to the press. For questions, contact Keenan’s office at 617-722-1494 or [email protected].