State Representative Mark Sylvia

Proud to have honored the enduring friendship between Massachusetts and Japan with a formal resolution presented to the Consul General of Japan. For more than 180 years, our partnership has been built on cultural exchange, innovation, education, and mutual respect. That bond is deeply rooted in Massachusetts through the historic connection between Fairhaven and Manjiro Nakahama (John Manjiro), whose remarkable journey and friendship with Captain William Whitfield helped strengthen ties between Japan and the United States for generations. It is an honor to represent the community where this historic friendship began and support the Whitfield / Manjiro Friendship Society and Museum. #whitfieldmanjiro #10thbristol

In observance of National Police Week, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the dedicated law enforcement officers serving communities across the 10th Bristol District and throughout the Commonwealth. Thank you for your courage, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to keeping our neighborhoods safe each and every day. State Rep. Mark D. Sylvia

For immediate release: May 11, 2026 Advisory: New Bedford, Fairhaven Temporary Closure of New Bedford-Fairhaven Swing Bridge (Route 6) Bridge currently stuck in open position NEW BEDFORD/FAIRHAVEN - The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that the New Bedford-Fairhaven swing bridge (Route 6) is currently stuck open, and is closed to vehicular travel due to a mechanical issue. This closure is expected to remain in place for several hours. Drivers traveling through the affected area should seek alternate routes, expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution. For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are encouraged to: Download the Mass511 mobile app or visit to view live cameras, travel times, real-time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out on the road. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for traffic conditions. Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions. Follow @MassDOT on X (formerly known as Twitter) to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms of the 10th Bristol District and beyond! Growing up in Fairhaven and raising my own family here, I know firsthand how much the mothers of our community give. Whether you're working a double shift, driving to a practice, sitting with a sick child, or holding your family together in ways that never make the news — you are the backbone of everything we do. Today we celebrate you. Thank you for your strength, your love, and your tireless dedication to your families and our communities. Happy Mother's Day.

Very grateful to the amazing work, dedication and passion of human services workers in our region and the care and support they provide to our community. The Caring Force rally held at White's on May 1st celebrated the human services community and raised awareness for the need of increased funding, fair pay for human services staff, and to raise awareness of the critical work done by the sector. I was so grateful to spend time with so many constituents from our district that work in or are served by this critical sector.

It was an honor to host Miss New Bedford Teen Addison Kohler with the entire New Bedford House delegation at the State House during budget week. The House welcomed Addison to the House Chamber on April 28th along with her mother, Fairhaven Public Schools Superintendent Tara Kohler and her grandfather. Addison visited as part of her advocacy for improving the lives of children going through medical care.

This Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to take a moment to thank the incredible educators across the 10th Bristol District who show up every single day to inspire, mentor, and teach our kids. Teachers are the backbone of our communities and the foundation of our future. Thank you for everything you do. Your dedication to our children makes all the difference. You are truly valued. 🍎 #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankATeacher

Always great to visit Bristol Aggie- this time to join Governor Healey and members of her administration for a tour of this terrific school and campus along with Bristol Aggie Superintendent Derek Costa, Board members led by Chair Darrin Mendes, faculty, staff and students and my legislative colleagues from throughout Bristol County and beyond. It was a real opportunity to showcase the success of the Bristol Aggie Community and highlight the importance of investing in agriculture / food security programs in our Commonwealth.

TONIGHT: Join the DCR for a ZOOM meeting. Department of Conservation and Recreation Commonwealth of Massachusetts DCR Project Shade – Fort Phoenix State Park (Fairhaven, MA) Public Meeting Wednesday, May 6th @ 6pm – 7:30pm Register for the meeting via the Zoom Registration: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/ET_4nA1GSLmOpZ133hXg3g#/registration

Cherry Blossoms are a symbol of friendship and renewal and in Fairhaven, at annual Manjiro Whitfield Friendship Society Cherry Blossom Festival both were in abundance on May 3rd. Congratulations to the society board and volunteers for keeping the historic and cultural significance of Nakahama Manjiro and Captain William Whitfield alive through events such as the Cherry Blossom Festival and your stewardship of the museum and future educational center. It was an honor to be there along with Select Board Chair Charlie Murphy, Vice Chair Andrew Romano, Society Chair Gerry Rooney and the Consul General of Japan in Boston to kick off the event.

Great time bowling for the Buttonwood Park Zoo with my fellow New Bedford House delegation. It is an honor to serve with them to deliver for our region and a lot of fun bowling with them for a great cause.

I was honored to spend some time with three exceptional young people from our district recently - new Eagle Scout Patrick Fleming (Troop 52), EHMS Project 351 Ambassador Aria Andrade (recently completed an impressive clothes drive) and Student Government Day Representative Olivia Thompson (representing ORRHS). Each of these students are doing incredible things and represent the best in our community. Congratulations Patrick, Aria and Olivia to you and your families for your outstanding leadership.