Friends and Colleagues:
 
I'm on vacation, but could not help drawing your attention to one of our College's most notable accomplishments. Padraig O'Malley, our Moakley Professor of Peace and Reconciliation, convened a third meeting of Iraqi leaders-Sunni, Shia and Kurds, this time in Baghdad. By all accounts, it was a significant breakthrough in the attempt to bring peace to this deeply troubled country. See the stories attached at MGS In The News. Padraig was ably supported by Nancy Riordan (MSPA-IR, '07) who was in Baghdad, and MGS staffer Pat Petersen, who attended the Helsinki II conference. This is precisely the kind of work Congressman Joe Moakley wanted us to do with the Chair in his memory, and an extension of the kind of work focused on issues of economic and social equity, and support of diversity that are becoming a hallmark of our school.
 
And I'm pleased to report that both the Massachusetts House and Senate budgets have supported Governor Patrick's recommendation for a renewed Center on Public Management to be housed at MGS. More on this exciting project later, as it becomes formal.
 
Meanwhile, Alison Gottlieb of the Gerontology Institute presented the Wisconsin Elder Economic Security Standard Index in three different cities in Wisconsin. The report and presentations were a huge success and were mentioned in many local newspaper articles, radio programs, and in a television news report. And the TJX Companies have joined the Commonwealth Compact.
 
So much good work continues to be done.
 
Hope you are enjoying a splendid summer, as I am.