BOSTON (WWLP) - This week at the State House in Boston, lawmakers and advocates spent time coming together for community recognition and events. At the beginning of the week, Governor Healey signed two long-awaited bills--a clean energy bill that delivers siting and permitting reforms, and a job-creating economic development bill. On Tuesday, western Massachusetts law enforcement received several awards for upholding standards of heroism, dedication, and innovation.  "It's not just the work done behind the fences and the walls, it's about the engagement of the community. Because if you're engaged in the community, you can prevent further incarceration," said Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi. Lawmakers came together to recognize World Pancreatic Cancer Day, and Northhampton Senator Jo Comerford spoke about the unique challenges western Massachusetts faces in fighting the disease. "In Western Massachusetts, we struggle disproportionately with access to primary care, access to specialty care, our hospitals are small and struggling. So we have a special mix of the pressures of rural Massachusetts," said Comerford. November 20 kicked off Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month, commemorated at the State House. 22News spoke to a mother who lost her son about the first step to ending homicide. "Different color, different religions, different origins, they're coming from different cultures, and they have the same feelings," said Beatrice Cuoho, who lost her son Joel Leon in 2014. "Unity. We have to learn." This awareness month will be marked with events and support groups available across the state. Looking forward, lawmakers will take some time off next week to spend Thanksgiving with family and friends. Local News Headlines Northampton hosts Bag Day sale with discounts Wilbraham Senior Center hosts holiday bazaar Santa makes grand return to Holyoke Mall Saturday State House Spotlight: Ceremonies and awareness days WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.