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'{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox Politician (general) | image = File:John Velis.jpg | name = John Velis | birthname = John Christopher Velis | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|1|26}} | birth_place = [[Westfield, Massachusetts|Westfield]], [[Massachusetts]] | death_date = | death_place = |restingplace = | nationality = | website = [https://malegislature.gov/People/Profile/JCV1 Legislative website]<br />[https://www.velisforwestfield.com/ Campaign website] | occupation = Attorney | residence = Westfield, Massachusetts | party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] | relations = [[Peter A. Velis|Peter Velis]] <small>(uncle)</small> | children = | education = [[University of South Florida]] <small>([[Bachelor of Science|B.S]])</small><br />[[Suffolk University Law School]] <small>([[Juris Doctor|J.D.]])</small> | state_senate1 = Massachusetts | district1 = [[Massachusetts Senate's 2nd Hampden and Hampshire district|2nd Hampden and Hampshire]] | term_start1 = TBD | term_end1 = | succeeding1 = [[Donald Humason, Jr.]] | state_house2 = Massachusetts | district2 = [[Massachusetts House of Representatives' 4th Hampden district|4th Hampden]] | term_start2 = April 16, 2014 | term_end2 = | predecessor2 = Donald Humason, Jr. | successor2 = TBD | allegiance= {{flag|United States}} | branch = {{army|USA}} | serviceyears = 2011–present | rank = [[File:Army-USA-OF-03.svg|border|23px]] [[Major (United States)|Major]] | unit = [[Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Army|3rd LOD]] {{small|(Reserve)}} | battles = [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]] | awards = [[File:Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg|border|20px]] [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] }} '''John Christopher Velis''' (born January 26, 1979) is an American politician and member of the [[Massachusetts House of Representatives]]. He is a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] from [[Westfield, Massachusetts]] and represents the 4th Hampden district.<ref>[http://www.boston.com/politicalintelligence/2014/03/04/former-state-parks-official-daniel-hunt-unofficially-wins-mass-house-seat-succeed-martin-walsh/lkLO4ZhMZv4rVzJId6G0SP/story.html "Daniel Hunt, former state parks official, wins Democratic nomination to fill Martin Walsh's Mass. House seat"]. ''The Boston Globe'', March 4, 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elespeif/4hampdencan.htm "Elections: Special State Primary Candidates"]. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.</ref> ==Early life, education, and career== {{BLP unsourced section|date=August 2016}} Velis was born on January 26, 1979, in [[Westfield, Massachusetts]] to Susan and Jim Velis, one of three children with his brother Adam and sister Jennifer. His uncle, [[Peter A. Velis|Peter Velis]], served as a Hampden Superior Court Judge from 1999–2012 and member of the [[Massachusetts House of Representatives]], where he represented the 5th [[Hampden County, Massachusetts|Hampden]] district ([[Southampton, Massachusetts|Southampton]], [[Montgomery, Massachusetts|Montgomery]], and [[Westfield, Massachusetts|Westfield]]) from 1973–1979. He was educated at Westfield High School and graduated in 1998, attended [[Roxbury Community College]], graduated from [[University of South Florida]] in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in political science, and from [[Suffolk University Law School]] in 2008 with a [[Juris Doctor]]. Prior to practicing law with his uncle, Velis spent time a number of government settings holding internships in the Hampden County [[District attorney]]'s office, Hampden County Superior Court and the [[Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts|Massachusetts Treasurer]]'s office. He was also an intern at the [[White House]] during the term of President [[George W. Bush]]. After returning to civilian life, Velis was appointed by Westfield Mayor Daniel Knapik to the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities and is a volunteer basketball coach for the Greater Westfield [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America|Boys & Girls Club]]. ==Political career== ===Massachusetts House of Representatives=== In 2014, Velis declared his candidacy for the [[Massachusetts House of Representatives]], representing the 4th Hampden District seat held by incumbent [[Republican (United States)|Republican]] state representative [[Donald Humason, Jr.]] During the same year, however, Humason won a special election to the [[Massachusetts Senate]] after State Senator [[Michael Knapik]] resigned to take a job at [[Westfield State University]], triggering another special election. He was unopposed in the Democratic primary and defeated Republican opponent At-large City Councilor Dan Allie in the general election on April 1, becoming the first Democrat to represent Westfield in 35 years. He began serving the remaining seven months of Humason's House term and campaigned for a first full-term in the regular November election, defeating Allie in a rematch.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/04/democrat_john_velis_defeats_re_27.html#incart_river | title=Democrat John Velis defeats Republican Dan Allie to win Westfield state representative seat | date=April 1, 2014 | newspaper=The Republican}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://wwlp.com/2014/11/04/house-of-representatives-4th-hampden-district/ | title=Velis defeats Allie again in 4th Hampden District | date=November 4, 2014 | publisher=Anthony Fay}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/04/newly_elected_westfield_state.html | title=Newly elected Westfield state Rep. John Velis to be sworn into office April 16 | date=April 11, 2014 | newspaper=The Republican}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/04/john_velis_of_westfield_3_othe.html | title=John Velis of Westfield, 3 others sworn in as members of Massachusetts House of Representatives | date=April 16, 2014 | publisher=The Republican}}</ref> In 2016 and 2018, he was re-elected to a respective second and third term unopposed. On November 8, 2019, Velis announced his candidacy for the [[Massachusetts Senate]]'s 2nd Hampden and Hampshire seat following his predecessor Donald Humason, Jr.'s election as [[Mayor]] of [[Westfield, Massachusetts|Westfield]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.masslive.com/politics/2019/11/westfield-rep-john-velis-announces-state-senate-run-for-don-humason-seat.html|title=Westfield Rep. John Velis announces state Senate run for Don Humason seat|date=November 8, 2019|newspaper=The Republican}}</ref> He is being challenged by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] John Cain of [[Southwick, Massachusetts|Southwick]], a businessman and former Navy officer.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thewestfieldnews.com/cain-seeking-senate-seat/|title=Southwick Republican John Cain seeks Senate seat|date=December 19, 2019|newspaper=The Westfield News}}</ref> Velis's committee assignments were as follows. ;188th General Court (2013–2015) * Joint Committee on the Judiciary * Joint Committee on Public Health ;189th General Court (2015–2017) * Joint Committee on the Judiciary * Joint Committee on Public Health * Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs * Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy ;190th General Court (2017–2019) * Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs (Vice Chair) * Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture * Joint Committee on Health Care Financing * Joint Committee on Marijuana Policy ;191st General Court (2019–2021) * Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs (Vice Chair) *Joint Committee on Financial Services *Joint Committee on the Judiciary *Joint Committee on Ways and Means *Committee on Ways and Means {|class=wikitable style="width: 94%" style="text-align: center;" align="center" |-bgcolor=#cccccc !colspan=13 style="background: #ccccff;" |'''Election results'''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://electionstats.state.ma.us/ | title=Massachusetts Election Statistics | publisher=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts}}</ref> |- | '''Year''' | '''Office''' | '''Election''' | | '''Subject''' | '''Party''' | '''Votes''' | '''%''' | | '''Opponent''' | '''Party''' | '''Votes''' | '''%''' |- |2014 |[[Massachusetts House of Representatives|State Representative]] |Special | |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |John C. Velis |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |2,697 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |53.4% | |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Daniel J. Allie |{{Party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |{{Party shading/Republican}} |2,354 |{{Party shading/Republican}} |46.6% |- |2014 |[[Massachusetts House of Representatives|State Representative]] |General | |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |John C. Velis |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |7,327 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |58.9% | |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Daniel J. Allie |{{Party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |{{Party shading/Republican}} |5,111 |{{Party shading/Republican}} |41.1% |- |2016 |[[Massachusetts House of Representatives|State Representative]] |General | |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |John C. Velis |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |15,399 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |99.4% |- |2018 |[[Massachusetts House of Representatives|State Representative]] |General | |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |John C. Velis |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |11,734 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |99.1% |} ==Military service== Velis enlisted in the [[United States Army Reserve]] in 2011 and is currently serving in the [[Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Army|Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps]] as part of the 3rd Legal Operations Detachment. While on active duty in [[Afghanistan]], Velis participated in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]]'s [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] and taught the Rule of Law to tribal leaders and brought warring parties together to achieve peaceful solutions, overseeing all [[ISAF]]-[[NATO]] rule of law efforts throughout the [[Zabul Province]] in the war-torn nation. In August 2017, Velis was sent to [[South Korea]] for about a month to participate in joint military training exercises with the U.S. Army and allies.<ref>{{cite news|title=State Rep. and Army Reserve Captain John Velis to be sent on training mission near North Korean border|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/05/state_rep_and_army_captain_joh.html|work=[[The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts)|The Republican]]|date=May 23, 2017|first=Dan|last=Glaun|accessdate=July 5, 2018}}</ref> On July 4, 2018, Velis was promoted to the rank of [[Major (United States)|major]] while on deployment in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news|title=Massachusetts State Rep. John Velis, in Afghanistan on Army deployment, promoted to major on Fourth of July|url=https://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/07/massachusetts_state_rep_john_v.html|work=[[The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts)|The Republican]]|date=July 4, 2018|first=Jim|last=Kinney|accessdate=July 4, 2018}}</ref> ==Political positions== Velis describes himself as a [[Fiscal conservatism|fiscally conservative]] [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]. ===Taxes=== Velis supported a $36.3 billion fiscal year 2015 budget with no tax increases and voted in favor of in-state tuition for veterans at Massachusetts State colleges and universities at about 12:00 AM on Thursday, May 1, securing about $165,000 in the house budget for the city of Westfield. How the funds are allocated, $100,000 to Noble Hospital will increase ease of access to the front entrance for older adults and the disabled; $50,000 grant for new Senior Center furnishings to make it more inviting to a wider range of older adults, host more activities and increase its use; and $15,000 to stimulate the local business community.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.velisforstaterepresentative.com/velis_weekly_update_for_may_2_2014 | title=Velis Weekly Update for May 2, 2014 | date=May 9, 2014 | publisher=Steve Dondley | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513010854/http://www.velisforstaterepresentative.com/velis_weekly_update_for_may_2_2014 | archivedate=May 13, 2014 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> He did not vote on Bill H.4111, a bill that appropriates funds for the expansion of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center; rather deciding to abstain from voting, showing neither support or opposition.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/48797#.U7XtxpRdWQh | title=Bill H.4111 | date=May 28, 2014}}</ref> He voted in favor of increasing the [[Minimum wage in the United States|minimum wage]] from $8.00 per hour to $11.00 per hour by 2017.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://votesmart.org/bill/18425/49229/150304/increases-the-minimum-wage#.U98efeNdWQh | title=Bill S.2123 & S.2195 | date=June 18, 2014}}</ref> He voted for the 2018 Car Rental Tax Surcharge, which added a $2 tax surcharge to automobile rentals. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/House/H4516 | title=Bill H.4516 | date=May 23, 2014}}</ref> ===Education=== Velis cosponsored Bill H.4200 with Representative [[John Scibak]], a petition relative to the scheduling of high school athletic contests.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/House/H4200 | title=Bill H.4200 | date=June 16, 2014}}</ref> He was one of 35 legislators to vote "no" on Bill H.4091, a bill that authorizes the expansion of charter schools in certain communities.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/48758#.U7XsCpRdWQg | title=Bill H.4091 | date=May 21, 2014}}</ref> ===Disability rights=== Velis cast his first vote in support of Bill H.4047, a bill relative to assisting individuals with autism and other intellectual or developmental disabilities. This legislation is intended to improve educational opportunities and access to services for people with autism or other intellectual disabilities. Bill H.4047 would also create a special commission to look at state policies dealing with individuals with autism, and allow families to set aside money tax free in savings accounts to pay and plan for the long-term care and housing of children with intellectual disabilities.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/House/H4047 | title=Bill H.4047 | date=April 16, 2014}}</ref> ===Transportation=== Velis has cosponsored Bill S.2169 with Senator [[Donald Humason, Jr.]], a petition with the approval of the mayor and city council for legislation relative to the acceptance of Paper Mill Road as a public way in the city of Westfield.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/Senate/S2169 | title=Bill S.2169 | date=June 9, 2014}}</ref> ===Crime=== Velis voted in support of Bill S.714, an act relative to juvenile life without parole sentences. Under the measure, people convicted of first-degree murder for crimes that occurred while they were between the ages of 14 and 18 could be eligible for parole after serving 20 to 25 years in prison. For crimes that were deemed to involve deliberate premeditated malice or extreme atrocity or cruelty, the wait would be 25 to 30 years.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/Senate/S714 | title=Bill S.714 | date=June 19, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dropbox.com/s/y5i5min8tin3bsn/House%20passes%20juvenile%20parole%20bill%206.19.14.pdf | title=House passes juvenile parole bill | publisher=Peter Francis | date=June 19, 2014}}</ref> ===Manufacturing=== Velis has cosponsored Docket HD4311 with Representatives [[Diana DiZoglio]] and [[Jonathan Zlotnik]], otherwise known as An Act Relative to the Taxation of Inventory in Manufacturing. According to DiZoglio, the bill is designed to gradually eliminate the inventory tax manufacturers pay on raw materials over a period of four years. ===Gun rights=== In 2015, Velis introduced legislation on behalf of Gun Owners Action League (GOAL) and the Massachusetts affiliate of the [[National Rifle Association]] that would create a commission to review policies regarding the alleged dangers of gun free zones, which GOAL said had become targets for terrorists and murderers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gun Rights Activists Push Bill Aimed At 'Gun Free Zones' |date=July 22, 2015 |publisher=CBS Boston |agency=Associated Press |url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/07/22/gun-rights-activists-push-bill-aimed-at-gun-free-zones/}}</ref> Velis is opposed to legislation limiting the gun rights of law-abiding citizens. He was one of 11 Democrats to vote against House Speaker [[Robert DeLeo (politician)|Robert DeLeo]]'s bill aimed at preventing gun violence.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/07/gun_control_bill_moves_on_to_m.html | title=Gun control bill advances to Massachusetts Senate after House clears it with 112–38 vote | publisher=State House News Service | date=July 9, 2014}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [https://malegislature.gov/People/Profile/JCV1 Representative John C. Velis] official Massachusetts legislative website * [https://www.velisforwestfield.com/ Campaign website] * [http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/150304/john-velis#.U0_5GVVdVPY Biography], [http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/150304/john-velis#.U0_5aFVdVPY voting record], and [http://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/150304/john-velis#.U0_5hFVdVPY interest group ratings] at [[Project Vote Smart]] {{Massachusetts House of Representatives}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Velis, John C.}} [[Category:Massachusetts Democrats]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Westfield, Massachusetts]] [[Category:United States Army officers]] [[Category:University of South Florida alumni]] [[Category:Suffolk University Law School alumni]] [[Category:Massachusetts lawyers]] [[Category:1979 births]] [[Category:21st-century American lawyers]] [[Category:21st-century American politicians]] [[Category:American army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)]]'