COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS SENATE
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133
Senator Joan B. Lovely
State Senator
2nd Essex District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 28, 2017
Legislature Enacts Bill to Designate the First Week in August as Ice Bucket Challenge Week
(Boston) – The Senate has enacted House No. 1697, “An Act establishing the first week in August as Ice Bucket Challenge Week.” The bill, filed by Representative Jerry Parisella of Beverly and co-sponsored by Senator Joan B. Lovely, aims to continue the momentum of the Ice Bucket Challenge, which has raised millions to fight ALS over the past two years.
H.1697 was enacted by the House of Representatives on July 24th. With the Senate’s enactment, the bill will head to Governor Baker’s desk for his approval.
Pete Frates, a Beverly resident, was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2012 at the age of 27. In the summer of 2014, Pete created the Ice Bucket Challenge. The Challenge became a viral sensation with people, celebrities, politicians and athletes posting videos of themselves online and on TV participating by dumping ice water over their heads. As a result of the Ice Bucket Challenge, public awareness of ALS soared, and donations to support ALS research poured in.
Prior to his diagnosis, Pete attended St. John’s Preparatory School and Boston College. He was a 3-sport standout athlete in high school and an honor roll student. At Boston College he majored in communications and history and was Captain of the BC baseball team his senior year. He also played in the German Baseball League and coached youth baseball after college.
“Pete and the Frates family have made a huge contribution to the battle to combat the dreaded disease of ALS,” Parisella said. “Their efforts have resulted in significant advances in medical research and will, hopefully, one day result in a cure. I felt it was important to recognize their efforts with this legislation.”
“The Frates family has been an amazing advocate for those fighting ALS, bringing an incredible level of awareness to this devastating disease,” said Senator Lovely. “I am very pleased that the legislature has chosen to honor those individuals, like Pete Frates and the whole Frates family, who continue to fight this disease, and officially recognize Ice Bucket Challenge Week.”
Since Pete’s diagnosis, the Frates family has taken a very active role in raising awareness and millions of dollars for ALS research.
“I’d like to thank Representative Jerry Parisella for his leadership and partnership on this important piece of legislation,” added Senator Lovely. “It is our hope that Governor Baker will take swift action to sign this bill into law so that we can continue to raise awareness of ALS for years to come.”
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