SPRINGFIELD - Professional boxer Johnny Ruiz, state Senator Frederick E. Berry, D-Peabody, recent high school graduate Erica S. Birmingham and New York Firefighters have at least one thing in common.
They are all heroes of state Senate President Thomas F. Birmingham, D-Chelsea, who addressed about 200 high school and middle school students yesterday at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Probable gubernatorial candidate Birmingham was the third weekly headliner in a speaker series that accompanies the "Champions of Character," a multimedia Newspaper in Education project focusing on character education through student recognition and speakers.
Birmingham told students he disagreed with American author Ernest Hemingway's definition of courage as "grace under pressure."
Birmingham said courage "is willingness to do what is right" regardless of consequences.
"Acts of courage usually aren't performed in the limelight. It's ordinary people reacting to everyday situations in extraordinary ways," Birmingham said.
He discussed heroes, including:
"You can't talk about courage without talking about the events of Sept. 11," said Birmingham.
Chicopee High School student Jonathon J. Mortel said the program was timely and focused
"Since Sept. 11, we have been talking about courage and character in all our classes," Mortel said.
"Discussions like these lead students and all people to stop and think about their actions and the consequences of those actions," Mortel said.
When it came to the question and answer part of the program., students were more interested in talking politics than courage with Birmingham.
Cathedral High student Matthew M. Weber asked whether Birmingham is open to sharing the Democratic gubernatorial ticket with state Treasurer Shannon P. O'Brien, a former state representative from Easthampton.
"I would welcome Shannon P. O'Brien, but I think she is probably interested in the office herself," Birmingham said.
Central High student Ali M. Mournad inquired about Birmingham's position on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test.
While Birmingham said he helped write legislation making the MCAS test mandatory in public schools, he revealed "without apologies" that his children have attended private schools, where passing the MCAS is not required for graduation.
In answering other questions, Birmingham said he anticipates a $300 million drop in state revenue this year and that will bring "across the board" cuts except in public safety, education and health.
Birmingham also addressed questions of patronage jobs at the Massachusetts Port Authority, which he said should get out of the economic development and international tourism businesses and concentrate on the safety of Logan International Airport and the Boston Harbor.