Kennedy Inspires First Openly Gay NBA Player's Coming Out

Jason Collins was one of Kennedy's former roommates.

NBA center Jason Collins announced Monday he is gay, making him the first active professional male athlete in a major American sport to reveal he is a homosexual. The former Boston Celtic wrote about his decision in a Sports Illustrated article that went online Monday, and will appear in the May 6 print edition of the magazine. Collins, 34, said he decided to come out after U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-4th), whose district includes Newton, told him he had marched last year in Boston's Gay Pride Parade. Kennedy was Collins' roomate at Stanford University. Collins wrote: I'm seldom jealous of others, but hearing what Joe had done filled me with envy. I was proud of him for participating but angry that as a closeted gay man I couldn't even …

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Newton Business Awarded Innovation Grant

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant totals $261,353.

The Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to the Newton-based SimulConsult, Inc.  The grant is worth $261,353 and comes through the Health and Human Services Department's National Human Genome Research Institute, according to a press release issued last week by Fourth District Congressman Joe Kennedy III. “SimulConsult is an example of the industry-leading research and development being done right here in the Fourth District,” Kennedy said in the press release. “The company’s innovative approach to diagnostics is helping move us towards the kind of health care system we need – integrated, efficient and cost-effective.” Located in Chestnut Hill, SimulConsult develops "medical …

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Congressman Joe Kennedy III to Hold Office Hours in Newton

The office hours are part of Kennedy's "Tour 34" initiative.

If you missed last week's Patch live chat with U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III, you will have another chance to ask the congressman your burning questions this Saturday, April 6.  Kennedy will hold office hours this Saturday from 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. at his Newton district office, 29 Crafts St., Suite 375, according to a press release issued Monday morning. The office hours are part of Kennedy's "Tour 34," an initiative where the congressman plans to hold constituent office hours in all 34 Fourth District municipalities by the end of 2013, the press release said. To date, the Congressman has held office hours in Attleboro, Taunton, Mansfield and Fall River. Kennedy's office hours are open to all Fourth District constituents. For more information…

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Kennedy Answers Questions on Education, Iran and Casinos [Live Chat Recap]

U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III participated in a live text chat on Patch Wednesday and answered a number of reader questions.

Education, gun control and casinos were on the minds of readers during a live chat yesterday afternoon with Fourth District Congressman Joe Kennedy III.  Kennedy, who was elected in November 2012, joined Patch for a 45-minute live chat where he answered reader questions and shared a little bit about his first few months in office.  Read through the following recap of Kennedy's chat (below), or browse the full Q&A transcript: Patch: So, you’re a few months into your first term as a Congressman -- how has it been? What are some challenges you’ve had to face now that you’re in elected office? Congressman Kennedy:  It's been a bit of a whirlwind, that's for sure. A combination of finding out where the bathrooms are and what you should ask the …

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RECAP: Live Chat with U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III

Democratic Congressman Joe Kennedy III answered reader questions this afternoon.

Fourth District Congressman Joe Kennedy III (D-Brookline) answered reader questions in a live text chat earlier this afternoon. Kennedy was elected to the Fourth District seat in November 2012, beating Republican challenger Sean Bielat. During that campaign, Kennedy participated in a similar Patch live chat.  During today's chat, Kennedy touched on a wide range of issues including education, Iran, energy dependence and the Supreme Court's decision on the Defense of Marriage Act. A recap of this afternoon's chat will be posted on Newton Patch tomorrow morning. Stay tuned! Questions submitted will be subject to moderator approval. No vulgar or libelous comments will be allowed. Because we expect a high volume of questions for the chat …

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U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III to Chat Live on Patch Wednesday

The new Fourth District congressman will answer reader questions on Wednesday, March 27 at 1:30 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III to Chat Live on Patch March 27

The new Fourth District congressman will answer reader questions on Wednesday, March 27.

Now that he's had a few months to settle in on Capitol Hill, Congressman Joe Kennedy III (D-Brookline) is ready to answer questions from his new constituents in the Fourth District.  Newton Patch will host a live text chat with Kennedy on Wednesday, March 27 at 1:30 p.m. where he will answer reader questions. Kennedy defeated Republican Sean Bielat in the November 2012 election, replacing retired Newton Congressman Barney Frank. Kennedy did a similar Patch live chat during his 2012 congressional campaign. The live chat Q&A will run for 45 minutes. To submit a question, come back to Newton Patch at 1:30 p.m. on March 27, click on the live chat, enter your name and you will be able to ask your questions immediately.  If you can't make the …

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U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III Opens Congressional Art Competition for Fourth District Students

The deadline to submit artwork to Kennedy's Newton office is April 19, 2013.

Think your artwork is good enough to hang in the U.S. Capitol? Congressman Joe Kennedy III announced last week his office is participating in the annual Congressional Art Competition, a high school visual arts contest.  Now through April 19, 2013, high school students in the Fourth Congressional District can submit paintings, drawings, collages, computer-generated art, prints, mixed media and photography pieces to Kennedy's office on Crafts Street in Newton. An independent arts panel that includes several artists and art professionals from across the Fourth District will select a finalist for each media category. The panel will then choose a "Best in Show" piece from those finalists. The "Best in Show" piece from the Fourth District will …

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Congressman Joe Kennedy III Announces District Office Open Houses

Kennedy's district offices are located in Newton and Attleboro.

Fourth District Congressman Joe Kennedy III announced today he will be hosting open houses this weekend at his district offices in Newton and Attleboro. During the open houses, the public will have a chance to meet Kennedy and his district staff, according to a press release issued by Kennedy's office. The open houses will be held this Saturday, Jan. 12. The Newton office, located at 29 Crafts St. Suite 375, will hold its open house starting at 11 a.m. The open house at the Attleboro office, located at 8 North Main St. Suite 200, will start at 1 p.m. “Over the course of the campaign I promised each and every one of you that my door would always be open,” Kennedy said in the press release. “I hope that these events underscore our deep …

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Kennedy: 'Honored' to be Sworn in to Congress

After winning the November 2012 election, Democrat Joe Kennedy III will now officially take his seat as the U.S. Rep. for the Fourth Congressional District.

Updated 10:21 a.m. Newton's newest congressman, Joe Kennedy III, was officially sworn in Thursday, Jan. 3 as a member of the nation's 113th Congress.  Kennedy, who defeated Republican Sean Bielat in November, replaces retiring U.S. Rep. Barney Frank in the Fourth Congressional District. Kennedy issued the following statement Thursday on his swearing-in: This afternoon I was honored to be sworn in as the next U.S. Congressman from the 4th District of Massachusetts.  The 4th District has a proud tradition of innovation and a work ethic that has fueled economic growth for generations. From our top-tier education facilities and advanced manufacturers to our emerging biotech industry and unparalleled health care providers: a continued …

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