Letter to the Editor: Many reasons to be proud of Massachusetts and Fall River

Massachusetts is the best state to live in. I want to list people and places that this state is noted for.

President John F. Kennedy was born in Brookline in 1917 and was assassinated in 1963. He married Jacqueline Bouvier from Newport, and their wedding cake was made here in Fall River at a well known bakery. He would of been the best president we ever had if he was not assassinated. We who are seniors all remember that terrible day. I was at my doctor's office preparing to have my second child.

After he died, his rother Robert was going to run for president and he also was killed. Robert's wife, Ethel Kennedy, is still living and has survived her husband and some children.

I also cannot believe that President George Bush was born in Milton and is still living in Maine.

My favorite news reporter who was born here in Fall River is George Stephanopoulos. Besides doing "Good Morning America" every morning he is everywhere the news is happening. Right now it's the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme court. He is amazing and lived here because his father was the head of the Greek Orthodox Church. He also has a degree in theology and wanted to be like his father. But faith turned him in another direction and he is the best husband and father to his two daughters. He speaks of them often and calls them during breaks, because he leaves at 4 a.m., to tell them he loves them.

Then there is Jerry Remy the great Red Sox plaver who we all went to see at Fenway if we liked baseball. He was born here in Fall River. He still lives in the Boston area and actually his sister Judy Remy Murphy was born in Fall River and married my stepson John Murphy Jr. He died of lung cancer of being in Desert Storm. He dedicated his life to the service of our country.

We all also know Emeril Lagasse, who was born in Fall River and learned how to cook from a lady in little restaurant on the corner of Brayton Avenue and Jefferson Street.

I am also mentioning two people who married in Fall River and built a Polish market called Johnnie's Market and had the best Polish food around, and John Ciesla made and smoked by hand his famous Polish kielbasa that cannot be replaced. They had this market for 60 years. People I meet still recall the best Polish food ever made. I am their daughter and am proud of what two people achieved in 60 years. Even Patti's Pierogis talk about them.

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston.

We also have famous musicians and actors from this area.

John Mailloux was born in Fall River, attended Berklee College of Music and has a masters in engineering and guitar. He has been nominated for two Grammys and is on the board who votes the winners each year for the Grammys. He now has a studio in Westport, and does a lot of producing through the Internet. He has produced recorded famous artists all over the world and is well known as one of the best producers.

We have the best colleges, Harvard and others. We also have the best hospitals in the nation.

President Obama bought a summer house in the Cape, and the best Secretary of State we ever had, John Kerry, has a permanent house in Cape Cod.

We have a lot of be proud of in Massachusetts and here in Fall River.

Joanne Mailloux Murphy

Fall River