My name is Lawrence M. Murray, I am an attorney with the Law Firm of Murray & Quill, with offices at 165 Washington Street, Winchester, Massachusetts.

Our law firm has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since its inception. I am pleased to currently serve on the Board of Directors and on the Executive Committee.
Over the years the Chamber of Commerce has carried out its mission of promoting the business and professional community in numerous ways, some of which are quite noticeable and others that often times are accomplished without much fanfare.

The Board of Directors meet monthly at the Winchester Chamber office at 25 Waterfield Road or at a local restaurant in order to establish policy to assist the Executive Director, Cathy Alexander, in carrying out the Chambers mission of enhancing the business and professional community in the Town of Winchester.
Aside from the Chambers participation and support of such events as Midnight Madness, Holiday Lighting and Chamber Business Expos, the Chamber has reached out to women in the business and professional community through a subcommittee known as "Women Helping Women". This organization has been a phenomenal success in fostering comradery and friendship among women in the business and professional community.

Aside from these more obvious and public events there are a number of subcommittees working within the Chamber that work on issues of significant importance to its members but do so behind the scenes. For example, Chamber Board members attend Board of Selectmen's meetings in order to gather information and to offer assistance to the Board and its subcommittees in matters that may affect the business community. The Chamber has, year after year, taken a strong position against Tax Classification which would negatively impact the

Chamber Members by increasing taxes on the Business Community.

A few years ago the Chamber established a special committee to work as a liaison with the Town regarding matters involving zoning and parking. During this past year great progress has been made by this committee in allowing the chamber to have a "seat at the table", thereby having the opportunity to influence the decisions of the Town in a very constructive manner for the benefit of the business and professional community.

Many people who visit Winchester Center for the first time, remark about the beauty of the center. Often times the Center is mentioned as one of the reasons why people decided to move to this community.

The Chamber is working for all of us, each day, in order to promote the business community. I would urge every business owner and every professional person in the community to support the Chamber. The health of our business community depends upon it.

a glass of Champagne or Schlitz, Celebrate with Spitfire!