State Rep. Lawn Honored by Groups Advocating for the Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Community

The following announcement was provided by State Rep. John Lawn’s office:

State Rep. John J. Lawn, Jr. (D – Watertown) was named the Legislator of the Year Award by The Arc of Massachusetts (the Arc) and Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC). The award, presented during their annual reception marking the commencement of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Month, celebrates Rep. Lawn’s unwavering commitment to and advocacy for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) community.

The ceremony was held on March 6 in the Great Hall of Flags at the Massachusetts State House.

“We are honored to recognize Rep. John Lawn as this year’s Legislator of the Year Award recipient,” said Leo V. Sarkissian, Executive Director of the Arc of Massachusetts. “Not one day goes by where we question his commitment and support to the community we serve and to our organizations. We are extremely grateful not only for all that he does for us in the House, but in the community as well.”

“I’m deeply grateful and honored to be recognized by The Arc and the MDDC as the House Legislator of the Year award recipient,” said Rep. Lawn. “Growing up, I witnessed friends and their families with IDD struggle to access the proper care and support they needed.

“The challenges have only intensified post-COVID, which only reinforced my daily commitment to fight for our differently abled residents. Melissa Reilly, here with me today, embodies this spirit. A Disability Policy Advisor for Sen. Jamie Eldridge, she authored the recent Archaic Language Bill, replacing derogatory IDD labels with empowering ones. Melissa and others like her inspire the fight for people with IDD, who, despite differences in abilities, possess invaluable qualities.”

“I cannot think of a person who deserves this recognition more than Rep. Lawn,” said Rep. Jim O’Day (D – West Boylston). “John is a dear friend of mine, and I can say for certain that when you need something or someone to listen to or help you, there is no better ally and friend to have than John Lawn. We have seen that through his leadership as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, and with his championing of the Arc’s priority legislation, Operation House Call. He truly and deeply cares for our neighbors and residents with IDD’s.”

The 46th Annual Legislative Reception, hosted by the Arc and the MDDC, held the central theme of reaffirming our commitment to those in need. This year’s theme underscored the ongoing imperative to advocate for individuals and families with IDD and autism who remain in the strongest need following the COVID-19 Pandemic, with thousands going unserved or underserved for the last four years.