Sabine Laurent de Cannon
Connector Editor
“The Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MassPIRG) empowers many students across our state to enact social change. Whether it is civic engagement, environmentalism, or improving campus life… This organization has driven me to fight for what is right and made me realize that the voices of students truly matter because we are the future of our state and our country,” said Luke Van Horn, a sophomore at UMass Lowell and vice president of the university’s MassPIRG chapter.
On Oct. 27, MassPIRG students from five campuses gathered at the Massachusetts State House to advocate for H.1041 and S.587, An Act to Protect Pollinators and Public Health. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Sabadosa, Rep. Uyterhoeven, and Rep. Montaño, among others, with Sen. Eldridge leading the Senate version, seeks to limit the use of neonicotinoid-coated agricultural seeds, a type of pesticide known to harm bees and other pollinators essential to Massachusetts’ ecosystems and food supply. By phasing out these chemicals and requiring waivers for their use, the bills aim to reduce environmental contamination, protect biodiversity, and safeguard public health. If passed, the act would mark a significant step toward creating a more sustainable and pollinator-friendly agricultural system in the Commonwealth.
As part of the group’s “Save the Bees” campaign, students voiced strong support for the legislation. Although dozens of MassPIRG members attended the event, Van Horn was the only representative from UMass Lowell. In addition to joining the advocacy efforts, he testified before the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. With guidance from state Rep. Tara Hong of the 18th Middlesex District and his team, Van Horn drafted and delivered his testimony.
“Testifying at the State House was a very exciting experience and gave me a foundational understanding of what a hearing in front of a political committee looks like. It showed me how someone my age can speak their voice to the individuals who create the policies and constructs that govern us each day, and that privilege was an incredible feeling,” Van Horn reflected.
When asked about preparing his remarks, Van Horn explained, “Writing my testimony was straightforward and easier than I thought. I connected with [Rep. Hong] who showed me what a testimony should look like and what it should cover. He emphasized the use of statistics and facts to explain the prevalence of the issue at hand and the importance of explaining how the specific bill in question addresses that issue. Therefore, I would recommend others to reach out to their local state representative and ask for guidance, so that more students can voice their opinions and make real change.”
During his testimony, Van Horn urged legislators to recognize the significance of protecting pollinators, stating, “Massachusetts is home to nearly 380 species of bees and according to the MA Department of Agriculture, those bees are responsible for pollinating nearly 45% of agricultural commodities in the Commonwealth… making them an essential part of our ecosystem.” He continued, “The native bee population is now in decline due to the insecticides known as neonicotinoids, which are widely used… these seeds are deadly… with some having enough potency to kill a songbird.”
His testimony, streamed live on the malegislature.gov website, was later shared on MassPIRG UML’s social media, where it drew more than two thousand views. “At the end of my testimony, Senator Becca Rausch said, ‘It’s always great to see young people engaged,’ and that resonated with me,” Van Horn reflected. “Civic engagement is about immersing yourself in the issues within your community and acting to positively change it. MASSPIRG is educating so many young people about local issues and possible resolutions, so that we can improve as a community, one day at a time. This educational process of activism allows the students of today to shape the future of tomorrow by empowering us to fight for what we believe in.”
