Outgoing Governor Charlie Baker thanks people of Massachusetts for their 'generosity'
BOSTON - Governor Charlie Baker is wrapping up eight years in office this week. He gave a televised speech from the Massachusetts State House Tuesday as a "proper goodbye" to the people of Massachusetts.
Baker started by wishing Governor-elect Maura Healey good luck. He said he, along with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, leave the State House with "mixed emotions."
"Your kindness and generosity were always on display," Baker said before discussing the numerous events he and Polito attended.
During their tenure, Polito visited local leaders in all 351 communities of the state and Baker got to visit 250. "Both of us were amazed by the creativity, decency, and the shared sense of purpose that we saw everywhere we went."
One particular event stands out to him: "On a trip to D.C. in 2021, I visited the Massachusetts National Guard members who were deployed at the Capitol. Four-hundred fifty citizen soldiers, ages 18 to 58, from every corner of Massachusetts, from every race and religion, all there to do the same job, for the same reason: to serve their Commonwealth and their country, no matter when the call comes," Baker said. "That visit for me is the embodiment of the commitment and generosity of the people of Massachusetts, and it's our fervent hope that your generosity never wavers. It is truly what makes you special."
"I want you to know that you will be sorely missed by the two of us and by our teams, God bless you," Baker concluded.
His term officially ends Thursday when Governor-elect Maura Healey is sworn in.
Baker, who did not run for re-election, will become president of the NCAA in March.