The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Annual North Central Massachusetts Congressional Luncheon on Thursday, October 10, 2019 featuring the Honorable Jim McGovern, United States Representative for the Second Congressional District and the Honorable Lori Trahan, United States Representative for the Third Congressional District of Massachusetts.  The program, sponsored by Fitchburg State University, runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Great Wolf Lodge, 150 Great Wolf Drive, Fitchburg, MA. 

This event will provide Chamber members and community leaders the opportunity to hear directly from members of the U.S. House of Representatives regarding business issues and critical matters facing the nation.  

Currently serving his twelfth term in Congress, Congressman Jim McGovern serves as the Chair of the House Rules Committee, which sets the terms for debate and amendments on most legislation; and a member of the House Agriculture Committee.  In 2014, McGovern was named Democratic Ranking Member on the House Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Nutrition.  The Subcommittee’s jurisdiction includes policies and statutes relating to nutrition, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and domestic commodity distribution and consumer initiatives.

Before his election to Congress, McGovern spent 14 years working as a senior aide for the late U.S. Representative John Joseph Moakley (D-South Boston), former dean of the Massachusetts delegation and Chairman of the House Rules Committee.  He was born in Worcester, the son of two successful small business owners.  His two sisters are elementary school teachers in Worcester’s public school system.

McGovern earned his Bachelor of Arts (‘81) and Masters of Public Administration (‘84) degrees from The American University, working his way through college by serving as an aide in the office of U.S. Senator George McGovern (D-SD).

Congresswoman Trahan was elected to the House of Representatives this past year following Congresswoman Tsongas’ decision to not seek reelection. She has since
been appointed to the House Committees on Education and Labor and Armed Services, has played an active role in securing federal designation of the Nashua River as a scenic waterway, and has filed legislation addressing the opioid epidemic and supporting career readiness programming in public high schools. Part of the vaunted “Pink Wave”- the largest female caucus elected to the US Congress to date- the Congresswoman holds the distinction of being the first Portuguese American woman ever to serve on Capitol Hill.  

Prior to her election, Trahan served in Congressman Meehan’s office- the same office she now holds- for nearly a decade, rising to become his chief of staff. She went on to take an executive’s post in the technology sector before cofounding the woman owned and operated consulting firm, Concire. In this role, she provided client companies advice on business strategy and steps they could take to ensure staff success- with a particular focus on female employees. 

The daughter of working class parents, she was the first in family to graduate from college, attending George Mason University on a Volleyball scholarship. 

Make sure that you reserve your spot early to hear from our congressional delegation on the many critical issues facing the business community in Washington D.C. 

Pre-registration is required and easy. Simply call the Chamber at 978.353.7600 ext. 222, or register here.