Former Gov. Michael Dukakis served as the emcee at the gala celebrating Rosenberg's 25 years of elected service.
NORTHAMPTON - With about 500 guests in attendance, the question Thursday night was who wasn’t celebrating state Sen. Stanley C. Rosenberg’s 25 years of elected service.
The Clarion Hotel ballroom was packed with guests reflecting various years of the Amherst Democrat’s service and life.
Former Gov. Michael Dukakis served as the emcee with speakers paying tribute including Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, Senate President Therese Murray, U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, D-Amherst, and Northeastern District Attorney David E. Sullivan.
State Auditor Suzanne Bump and Treasurer Steven Grossman also were present along with local officials and constituents and many from the University of Massachusetts.
Hampshire County Sheriff Richard Garvey, while mingling with guests, said that Rosenberg “has been a very good friend. He’s done a fabulous job.”
Nancy Maglione, former Amherst finance director, said that Rosenberg responds “to every request, he’s done so much. If every politician was like Stan the country would be in (in a better state.)”
Timothy Murray said, “Stan is the go-to guy.” He praised Rosenberg’s “work ethic and his institutional knowledge.”
He said he’s “got a track record on policy. We want him back, there’s more work to do.”
Rosenberg, who’s 61, said he hopes to serve for another decade.
Therese Murray echoed that sentiment. “He’s my go-to guy. I know he’s trustworthy.”
Rosenberg said he wanted a party to celebrate some of the highlights of his tenure along with releasing a video a day of his time in the Legislature.
He said he had no idea so many people would attend. About 250 had registered and hundreds more came in.
“It’s kind of overwhelming,” said Rosenberg in between greeting friends. He said he was seeing people he hadn’t seen in years as well as some young Democrats, some from UMass and others from the Pioneer Valley Young Democrats.
The O-Tones performed along with the UMass Saxophone Quartet among others. The event featured a raffle and a fund-raising auction with all proceeds to be donated to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts in Hatfield.
Rosenberg won his first election in 1986, succeeding the then Rep. James G. Collins, who did not seek re-election. In 1991 he ran successfully for the Senate seat that was held by Olver, who was elected to Congress.
Amidst the planning for the celebration, Rosenberg learned he has a treatable form of skin cancer and began treatment recently.