Lawmaker Deployed To Iraq Giving Salary To Charity

A new Massachusetts lawmaker about to head off to Iraq for a year-long combat deployment says he will donate his $61,000 state salary to charity and veterans groups.

Beverly Democrat Jerry Parisella said before his swearing-in as a state representative on Wednesday that he will be giving away the money because he'll be out of state and receiving military pay during his deployment.

He is a military attorney and his National Guard unit is shipping out at the end of the month.

His impending absence has caused divisions among his constituents. Some accept his absence as part of being a citizen-soldier. Others don't believe he can effectively represent them while 8,000 miles away.