Published below, in its entirety, is the address Vanna Howard gave after being sworn in Wednesday by Governor Maura Healey to the Massachusetts State Senate. (Click here to view video of the full ceremony)

“Good Afternoon.

Thank you. Thank you Members of the Senate. Thank you Madam President. Thank you Governor Healey.

Thank you all for being here today.

I am honored to be standing here today as your new state senator for the First Middlesex district.  I am honored that the voters and supporters of Lowell, Dracut, Dunstable, Pepperell, and Tyngsborough have entrusted me with this immense responsibility.  Although I am the one standing here, this moment belongs to all of us.  I want to thank the volunteers and supporters throughout the five communities and beyond that worked hard through a winter campaign, knocking doors on thousands of doors in sometimes minus 5 degree weather to get the message out about our campaign.  We did the work because it was important.

This is a historic day. I came to this country as a refugee at 11 years old, fleeing the communist Khmer Rouge genocide. I lost my father, three of my brothers, and my grandparents. After escaping war-torn Cambodia I came to the United States not knowing a word of English. Back then I could have never dreamed of being in elected office. The journey was not easy but this community raised me up, supported me, and inspired me to give back.  Anything is possible if you work hard and have the support of your family and community are willing to fight for it.

I want to recognize my predecessors who have served this district with distinction.  I want to thank former senator Steven Panagiotakos for joining us today.  I especially would like to pause to mention my friend, the late Senator Ed Kennedy. I was proud to work alongside him during my time in the House of Representatives and I am committed to continue his work in the Senate.  Shortly after we lost Ed, we also lost another former senator from Lowell, and another good friend, Phil Shea.  I look up to their example as senators for the First Middlesex district and am grateful for the opportunity to take on this role.

I do not stand before you today without the support of my friend, mentor and former boss Congresswoman Niki Tsongas. She taught me what it truly means to be a public servant

I also want to recognize my family.  Here in the chamber with us is my husband Greg, my daughter Suzy, my son Max, my brothers, Sam and Capitol, and my cousins Youra and her son, Ronny for their love and support.

In closing, I would like share a quote from the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  “Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you”

Thank you all for you joining me on this journey!

Let’s do this! Onward! Let’s do the work!

Thank you!”