THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SENATE
JANUARY 4, 1995
The House was called to order at 10:01 o'clock
A.M., the Secretary of the State in the Chair.
SECRETARY OF THE STATE KEZER:
The Senate please come to order. Will you all
please rise? Remain standing for the prayer by Senate
Chaplain, Father James Nock.
SENATE CHAPLAIN, REV. JAMES NOCK:
Let us pray. Almighty Father, we ask Your
blessing on our Circle as we come together this morning
to begin a new session and a new year with a new
President and a new President Pro Tempore. Bless those
who are with us for the first time with a deep sense of
wisdom and insight into the workings of our State and
its needs. Bless those who are returning with a
renewed sense of dedication and service and a deep-
seated love for our State and its people. And give us
all a sense of hope as we approach this year together
that we can achieve our goals and dreams in a real and
effective manner and to know that in doing so the only
constraint that can hold us will be the limit of their
own imagination. And we ask this of You who live and
reign forever and ever. Amen.
SECRETARY OF THE STATE KEZER:
Stay standing please as we say the Pledge of
Allegiance.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the republic for which it
stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all.
You may be seated. We will now proceed with the
Roll Call of the Senate. When your name is called, I
would ask you to stand and remain standing until all
the Senators are on their feet.
Senatorial District No. 1, William A. DiBella;
District 2, Eric D. Coleman; District 3, Kevin F.
Rennie; District 4, Paul R. Munns; District 5, Kevin B.
Sullivan; District 6, Thomas A. Bozek; District 7, John
Andrew Kissel; District 8, James T. Fleming; District
9, Biagio Ciotto, Bill; District No. 10, Toni H. Harp;
District 11, Martin M. Looney; District 12, William A.
Aniskovich; District 13, Thomas P. Gaffey: District 14,
Winthrop S. Smith, Jr.; District 15, Thomas F. Upson;
District 16, Stephen R. Somma; District 17, Joe Crisco;
District 18, Catherine W. Cook; District 19, Edith
Prague, and her fan club; District 20, Melodie Peters;
District 21, George L. "Doc" Gunther; District 22,
Angelina Lee Scarpetti; District 23, Alvin W. Penn. Is
Alvin here? Okay.
District 24, Mark Nielsen; District 25, Robert L.
Genuario; District 26, Judith G. Freedman; District 27,
George Jepsen; District 28, Fred H. Lovegrove, Jr.;
District 29, Donald E. Williams, Jr.; District 30, M.
Adela Eads; District 31, Thomas A. Colapietro; District
32, Louis C. DeLuca; District 33, Eileen M. Daily;
District 34, Brian McDermott; District 35, Tony
Guglielmo; and District 36, William H. Nickerson.
I will call again Senator Lovegrove and Senator
Penn. Are they close by?
All right. Would you all please raise your right
hand? You do solemnly swear that you will support the
Constitution of the United States and the Constitution
of the State of Connecticut so long as you continue to
be a citizen thereof, and that you will faithfully
discharge according to law the duties of the office of
Senator to the best of your abilities, so help you God?
SENATORS:
I do.
APPLAUSE
SECRETARY OF THE STATE KEZER:
Thank you. You may be seated.
The next order of business is the election of the
Senate Clerk. The chair recognizes Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Thank you, Madam Secretary. Madam Secretary, it's
my pleasure to place in nomination Alden Ives, a man of
great experience as Clerk of the Senate. As a matter
of fact, Alden start serving in the House of
Representatives the year after I was born. So he is a
man of experience. But we're very proud to have him
here. He is certainly no stranger to this building.
He served as Senate Minority Leader. He also has
served in the State Treasurer's office as the State
Treasurer and also as counsel to the Senate Republicans
from 1976 to '84.
In addition to his public service, he is Chairman
of the Board and CEO of Patrons Mutual Insurance
Company where he has been employed for more than 30
years. He is a graduate of our own University of
Connecticut and had service in the United States Army
from 1943 to 1946.
He's very active in his community; as I say, a
State Representative, a Senator, a Treasurer, a
veteran, business person. We are truly fortunate to
have Alden Ives as the Senate Clerk. And I do place
his name in nomination.
SECRETARY OF THE STATE KEZER:
Thank you, Senator Fleming.
Are there any other nominations? If not,
nominations are closed and we shall declare that Alden
Ives is elected Clerk of the Senate. And I would ask
Mr. Ives to come to the podium.
APPLAUSE
SECRETARY OF THE STATE KEZER:
You do solemnly swear that you will support the
Constitution of the United States and the Constitution
of the State of Connecticut so long as you continue to
be a citizen thereof, and that you will faithfully
discharge according to law the duties of Clerk of
Senate to the best of your ability, so help you God?
ALDEN IVES:
I will.
SECRETARY OF THE STATE KEZER:
Congratulations.
CLERK:
Thank you.
APPLAUSE
SECRETARY OF THE STATE KEZER:
I now turn the Chair over to the Senate Clerk.
CLERK:
Thank you, Madam Secretary. It's my privilege as
the first official act to appoint my Assistant Clerk of
the Connecticut Senate, Kevin Deneen of Windsor. He is
with the firm of O'Malley, Deneen, Messinger, Messina
and Oswicki, a graduate of Holy Cross and UConn Law
School magnum cum laude, and one fine gentleman.
Kevin?
APPLAUSE
CLERK:
Will you raise your right hand? You do solemnly
swear that you will support the Constitution of the
United States and the Constitution of the State of
Connecticut so long as you continue as a citizen
thereof, and that you will faithfully discharge
according to the law the duties of the office of
Assistant Clerk of the State Senate to the best of your
ability, so help you God?
KEVIN DENEEN:
I do. Thank you.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR FLEMING:
Mr. Clerk?
CLERK:
Senator Fleming?
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Mr. Clerk, at this
time I would like for the Senate to consider the
election of the President Pro Tem. And it is my
pleasure, my honor, to place in nomination the name of
Adele Eads of Kent. We all know Adele. She has served
this chamber and the State well for many years. She's
a veteran of the House of Representatives, where some
of us come from. So she understands the importance of
our two chambers working together cooperatively.
As I say, she has been in the State Senate since
1982. She has led the Senate Republican Caucus for the
past four years. She is well-respected all around the
Circle and really throughout State government. I
cannot think of a better person than Del Eads to serve
in the capacity as President Pro Tem. She is my
friend. She is our colleague. She is a mentor to many
of us. And it truly is my pleasure to place her name
in nomination for President Pro Tem.
Thank you, Mr. Clerk.
APPLAUSE
CLERK:
Senator DiBella?
SENATOR DiBELLA:
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. It is with great pleasure
and high honor that I rise to second the nomination for
President Pro Tem of Adele Eads. I reflect and I also
mirror the remarks of the distinguished Majority Leader
in recognizing the accomplishments of Adele Eads.
I have served in the Senate with Adele over the
same number of years. And, Adele, as we look around,
we see a lot of the faces have changed and time has
gone by. But I don't believe that there's anybody in
this chamber that would be a better selection. And I
look forward in the next two years to work with a woman
who is gracious, bright, intelligent, warm, friendly
and really a great woman.
Thank you.
APPLAUSE
CLERK:
Will you remark further on the motion? If not,
all in favor signify by saying Aye.
VOICES:
Aye.
CLERK:
Those opposed?
The motion is unanimously adopted.
At this time the Secretary of State will give the
oath of office.
APPLAUSE
SECRETARY OF THE STATE KEZER:
Thank you. Raise your right hand. You do
solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution
of the United States and the Constitution of the State
of Connecticut so long as you continue to be a citizen
thereof, and that you will faithfully discharge
according to law the duties of Senate President Pro
Tempore to the best of your ability, so help you God?
SENATOR EADS:
I do.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you all very much. Madam Secretary of
State, Reverend Nock, Reverend Divine, members of the
Circle, guests and all our wonderful staff who are
around either in the Gallery or around the Circle.
I am most grateful and humbled for the honor
you've bestowed upon me this morning and I look forward
to serving you and the State of Connecticut as
President Pro Tem. I can assure you -- I know I have
competition. That's always good. I can assure you
that I shall do my very best to serve you well.
I would like to bid a special welcome to those of
you who are joining the Circle for the first time this
morning. I know that you will develop lasting
friendships and that you will come to love and respect
this chamber as much as I do.
Government was created to serve the needs of its
citizens by its citizens. Our government, however, has
become too bureaucratic, too big and too wrapped up in
its own red tape. The result is that our constituents
do not trust their own government nor those who govern.
Public confidence must be restored, but it can only be
restored if we truly recognize the responsibility that
has been entrusted in us.
While in this Circle, we must devote ourselves to
demonstrating that the betterment of the lives of the
people of Connecticut is our singular goal; that this
trust is deserved and truly earned. We must dedicate
ourselves to providing the citizens of Connecticut with
a responsive, efficient government, one that serves the
basic needs of all our residents. Yet, we must
streamline and privatize; not for the pure sake of
doing so, but for efficiency, economy and tangible
better service.
As we address the important issues of crime,
economic revitalization and welfare reform, plus many
others, it will be eminently important for all of us to
work together in a spirit of cooperation and
dedication. We have been elected by our constituents
to perform the business of the people with integrity,
sincerity and responsibility. And that is what we must
deliver.
To look the late President Theodore Roosevelt, and
I quote, "We believe above all else that those who hold
in their hands the power of government must themselves
be independent, and this kind of independence means the
wisdom, experience and the courage to identify the
special interests and pressures that are always at
work, to see the public interest steadily, to resist
its subordination no matter what the political
hazards."
If we individually and collectively do not lose
sight of why we were elected -- and having just taken
the oath -- to make our state a better place in which
to live, we will indeed be fulfilling our most
important obligation.
My sincere warm wishes to one and all for a very
Happy New Year and for a resoundingly successful
session. You have my deepest gratitude for your trust.
Good luck and God bless you all.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Fleming?
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Madam
President, I was wondering if, at this time, we might
ask Senator Lovegrove, who was detained in getting to
the chamber -- if we could have him take the oath?
SENATOR EADS:
By all means.
Senator Lovegrove?
SECRETARY OF THE STATE KEZER:
Senator Lovegrove, would you please raise your
right hand? You do solemnly swear that you will
support the Constitution of the United States and the
Constitution of the State of Connecticut so long as you
continue to be a citizen thereof, and that you will
faithfully discharge according to law the duties of the
office of Senator to the best of your ability, so help
you God?
SENATOR LOVEGROVE:
I do.
SECRETARY OF THE STATE KEZER:
So sworn.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Welcome, Senator Lovegrove. It's good to see you.
The Chair -- Mark, you've got to take this away --
would recognize Senator Fleming hereby appointed
Majority Leader of the Republican Caucus.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR FLEMING:
Thank you, Madam President. It sounds pretty
good, Madam President.
SENATOR EADS:
Very good, I'd say.
SENATOR FLEMING:
First of all, Madam President, I would like to
thank Senator DiBella for all of his cooperation and
help during the transition. He is truly a
distinguished gentleman. He has been very helpful with
advice and we do appreciate all the help we've had over
the past couple of weeks.
Thank you, Senator DiBella.
Madam President, in terms of, I guess, my style as
Majority Leader, I intend to be brief. And with that,
I would like to get on to the business at hand and that
is to announce our Senate Leadership team. And I will
begin with the Senior Republican Leader. We all know
he is senior. And that is "Doc" Gunther of Stratford.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR FLEMING:
As Deputy President Pro Tem, Judy Freedman of
Westport; as Deputy Majority Leader, Bob Genuario of
Norwalk and Rowayton; also as Deputy Majority Leader,
Tim Upson of Waterbury and Naugatuck. I won't list all
the towns because some of them did get pretty long in
these Senate Districts.
As Majority Whip, William Aniskovich of Branford;
as Executive Majority Leader, Lou DeLuca of Woodbury;
as Assistant Majority Leader, Ted Lovegrove of
Fairfield; as Assistant Majority Leader, Bill Nickerson
of Greenwich; as Assistant Majority Leader, Lee
Scarpetti of Trumbull and Bridgeport; as Assistant
Majority Leader, Win Smith of Milford; and as Assistant
Majority Leader, Steve Somma of Waterbury.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR FLEMING:
That is the Senate Majority Republican team, Madam
President. Thank you.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you, Senator Fleming.
I'm going to take personal privilege right here at
this moment before I recognize Senator DiBella because
what Senator Fleming said of this gentleman is really
very true, sincere and comes from his heart and it's
coming from mine; that he's been one grand person to
work with. I look forward to the next two years to
working with him. I do know that he is very candid.
And when he tells you something and gives you his word,
that is it; you need look no further. So it's a great
privilege for me to recognize Senator DiBella.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR DiBELLA:
Thank you, Madam President, for that introduction.
I'd like to have a copy of Senator Fleming's remarks.
SENATOR EADS:
You may have them.
SENATOR DiBELLA:
I want to frame them, Jim.
I'd like to welcome all the families and friends
of those who have joined us today at the beginning of
the session that truly is destined to be one of the
most memorable in our long and distinguished history in
this state and in this State Senate.
As we begin our formal ceremonies on a cold, crisp
day, we look for wisdom, courage, fortitude, strength
to address the complex and compelling issues that face
our state. As we assume our new role, we will continue
to seek, to lead and inspire. Our state faces many
challenges and we cannot solve them in strictly a
partisan manner or without cooperation and
collaboration.
I extend my best wishes to Del Eads and Jim
Fleming as they assume the awesome and demanding role
as President Pro Tem and Majority Leader.
I am also pleased today to welcome our new
Democratic Senators and I'd ask them to stand. Tom
Bozek from New Britain; Billy Ciotto from
Wethersfield; Eric Coleman from the City of Hartford;
Tom Gaffey, Meriden; Brian McDermott; last, but not
least, Edith Prague.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR DiBELLA:
I know that all of these distinguished people will
bring quality leadership to our committees and to our
State Senate and we are pleased to have their families
and friends here with us today.
I also would like to take the opportunity to
introduce our Leadership team. To my right, Senator
Kevin Sullivan as the Deputy Democratic Leader; Senator
George Jepsen as the Democratic Whip; Senator Tom
Colapietro; Senator Joe Crisco; Senator Eileen Daily;
Senator Toni Harp; Senator Martin Looney; Senator Alvin
Penn; Senator Melodie Peters; Senator Donald Williams,
who are all Assistant Democratic Leaders.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR DiBELLA:
With the number of leaders we have in the Senate,
now we have to find someone to lead.
We look forward to the ongoing festivities today.
I wish each and every one of you the best as you embark
on the important tasks at hand. And I say to all of
you; remember, it is wise to keep in mind that no
success or failure is necessarily final. We can all
improve our government. We can contribute. We can all
be part of positive change.
Madam President, I'd ask that Senator Alvin Penn
from Bridgeport be sworn in?
SENATOR EADS:
By all means.
Senator Penn?
SECRETARY OF THE STATE KEZER:
Would you please raise your right hand? You do
solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution
of the United States and the Constitution of the State
of Connecticut so long as you continue to be a citizen
thereof, and that you will faithfully discharge
according to law the duties of the office of Senator to
the best of your abilities, so help you God?
SENATOR PENN:
I do.
SECRETARY OF THE STATE KEZER:
So sworn.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you, Pauline.
And congratulations, Senator Penn. It's good to
see you with us.
Senator Fleming?
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. I believe the
Clerk is possession of Senate Agenda No. 1.
CLERK:
Madam President, the Clerk is in possession of
Senate Agenda No. 1, dated January 4, 1995.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Madam President, I move that all items on Senate
Agent No. 1, dated January 4, 1995, be acted upon as
indicated and that the agenda be incorporated by
reference into the Senate Journal and the Senate
transcript.
SENATOR EADS:
Without objection, so ordered.
Mr. Clerk?
CLERK:
Senate Resolution No. 1, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE
NOMINATION OF REVEREND JAMES NOCK OF EAST HARTFORD AS
CHAPLAIN OF THE SENATE, introduced by Senator Fleming
of the 8th District.
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Fleming?
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Madam
President, I move adoption of the resolution. I ask
that its reading and be waived. It is self-
explanatory. And I would like to comment.
SENATOR EADS:
Will you remark?
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Madam President, Reverend James Nock
currently serves as Pastor of Our Lady of Peace Church
in East Hartford and he has already served previously
as Chaplain of the Senate. He has done a fine job.
And what this resolution does is name him as our
Chaplain. We all know sometimes it gets tough around
here and it's good to have a Chaplain who has
experience in guiding us from above.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you, Senator Fleming.
Any other remarks? If not, all those in favor
signify by saying Aye.
VOICES:
Aye.
SENATOR EADS:
So carried -- oh. Those opposed?
The resolution is adopted.
I believe the Clerk is in possession of Senate
Resolution No. 2. Mr. Clerk, would you please call the
resolution?
CLERK:
Senate Resolution No. 2, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE
NOMINATION OF REVEREND JOSEPH DEVINE OF WATERBURY AS
CHAPLAIN OF THE SENATE, introduced by Senator Fleming
of the 8th District.
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Fleming?
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes, Madam President. I move adoption of the
resolution and ask that its reading be waived.
SENATOR EADS:
Will you remark?
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Madam
President, the Reverend Joseph Devine currently serves
as Pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Church in Waterbury and
is former Pastor of St. Augustine's Church right here
in Hartford. Father Devine also has been Chaplain of
the Senate and has been involved in many projects, one
of which is the restoration of this beautiful Capitol
building. He has tremendous experience. And it's my
pleasure to speak in favor of this resolution naming
him as Chaplain of the Senate.
SENATOR EADS:
All those in favor signify by saying Aye.
VOICES:
Aye.
SENATOR EADS:
Those opposed?
The resolution is adopted.
I believe the Clerk is in possession of Senate
Resolution No. 3. Mr. Clerk, would you please call the
resolution?
CLERK:
Senate Resolution No. 3, RESOLUTION RAISING A
COMMITTEE OF THREE SENATORS TO INFORM THE LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR THAT THE SENATE REQUESTS YOUR PRESENCE IN THE
SENATE CHAMBERS, introduced by Senator Fleming from the
8th District.
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Madam
President, I move adoption of the resolution and ask
that its reading be waived. It is self-explanatory.
SENATOR EADS:
All those in favor signify by saying Aye.
VOICES:
Aye.
SENATOR EADS:
Those opposed?
The resolution is adopted.
The Chair will appoint Senators Cook, Munns and
Sullivan to go and inform the Lieutenant Governor-elect
that the Senate stands at ease and awaits her arrival.
While the committee is gone, I would ask the
Sergeant-of-Arms clear the doorway please. We are at
ease.
(Senate at ease)
SENATOR EADS:
Could I have quiet please? I hope that's going to
be the first and the last time I have to do this.
But I would like to acknowledge that a very, very
nice gentleman who is loved by one and all is here in
the chamber. Our former Lieutenant Governor, Joe
Fauliso. Would you come up a minute, Joe?
APPLAUSE
JOSEPH FAULISO:
Thank you very much. Someone just asked me do I
miss this place? I said the institution will always be
here, but you establish relationships that will endure.
And it's heartening to hear the words of several of the
leaders who have talked about a future. The future is
Connecticut and the well-being of all the people and
that transcends partisan politics.
God bless the State of Connecticut. God bless us
all.
Thank you.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you very much, Joe.
I see the delegation has arrived. Ladies and
gentlemen, would you please rise and welcome the new
Presiding Officer of the State Senate, Lieutenant
Governor-elect, the Honorable M. Jodi Rell, accompanied
by her husband, Lou?
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
I don't want to take away from Jodi, but we have a
long day ahead of us and she has a longer one than the
rest of us. So I would ask you to all be seated.
And to perform the task of swearing in the
Presiding Officer of the State Senate and our new
Lieutenant Governor is Thomas J. Gallagan. Welcome to
both of you.
THOMAS GALLAGAN:
Please raise your right hand. You do solemnly
swear that you will support the Constitution of the
United States and the Constitution of the State of
Connecticut so long as you continue a citizen thereof,
and you fill faithfully discharge according to the law
the duties of the office of Lieutenant Governor to the
best of your abilities, so help you God?
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RELL:
I do.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Ladies and gentlemen of the Circle, I turn the
gavel over to our new Presiding Officer, the President
of the Senate and Lieutenant Governor of the State of
Connecticut, M. Jodi Rell.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all very much.
It is indeed an honor and a privilege to stand before
you today to assume the office of Lieutenant Governor
of the great State of Connecticut.
My sincerest appreciation to my predecessor,
Lieutenant Governor Groark. Four years ago she stood
where I stand today, taking the oath of office. Today,
four years later, she leaves with many friends and a
great many admirers. Few who serve have earned the
respect and esteem of Eunice Strong Groark. The people
of the state owe much to Governor Groark for her
service. Her intelligence and resolve will be greatly
missed.
I would also like to thank my family and friends
for their understanding and perseverance and
assistance. I would especially like to acknowledge the
love and support of my husband, Lou, who is back here,
and my children, my daughter, Meredith, and my son,
Michael.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
To the members of the Senate, my sincerest
congratulations. I know that you share my excitement
for our new beginning. A great many challenges await
us, but I am confident that we will accomplish much.
Let us enjoy today's festivities. The real work
of governing is yet to come. Over the next five months
this chamber will witness historic debates on the
important issues of the day. In some of these debates,
partisanship may occasionally come to the fore, but I
pledge to you now that in my role as the President of
the Senate I will always be fair.
I will also work to reduce the distance that
sometimes exists between the second and third floors of
this building. I am proud of my service in the House
of Representatives, as I know are the many Senators who
began their career there. If we are to be successful,
the House and the Senate and the Executive Branch must
work closely together in enacting legislation.
Today we begin a new journey. Let us take that
journey together. Let us meet our responsibilities
without political rancor and with a deep and abiding
respect for the state we serve. And let us turn
challenges into opportunities and dreams into
realities.
Thank you all very much.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
At this time, it is my pleasure to introduce the
new members of the Senate to the Circle. When I call
your name, would you please rise and remain standing?
Eric Coleman, 2nd District. Senator Coleman, it
is a pleasure to see you joining us in the chamber.
You will be missed in the House, but I know that as a
former Deputy Speaker, you will bring great honor,
dignity and leadership to the Senate. I truly look
forward to working with you. Welcome.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
Kevin F. Rennie, 3rd District. Senator Rennie, it
has been a long time since a Republican has held that
seat. I know that the people in the 3rd District will
be well-served by you. You are an intelligent,
articulate advocate for the people of your district and
I know you will enjoy your service in the Senate.
Welcome.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
Paul R. Munns, 4th District. Senator Munns, it is
really a pleasure to address you that way. We used to
sit near one another in the House and I am so pleased
that we will again share the same chamber. I know that
you will bring the same enthusiasm, energy and
dedication to the Senate that you had in the House.
You are a man of your convictions and I know that you
will continue to represent your constituents to the
best of your abilities regarding of any political
considerations. Welcome.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thomas A. Bozek, 6th District. Senator Bozek, you
have served the people of New Britain well for several
years as Alderman. Now you have the opportunity to
expand your service. And I know that you will
accomplish much on behalf of the Park City and the
State. You are a man who feels very strongly about
many issues of importance and I know that you will not
be afraid to speak out for the people. Welcome.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
Biagio Ciotto, 9th District. Senator Ciotto,
welcome to the Legislative Branch of government. You
are certainly a veteran of the Executive Branch with 42
years of dedicated service at the State Department of
Motor Vehicles. We are grateful that you came out of
retirement to again serve the people of Connecticut.
And I know that your humor and gentle ways will be a
great asset to the Senate. Welcome.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thomas P. Gaffey, 13th District. Senator Gaffey,
though you may be new to this Circle, you are certainly
a seasoned veteran of the legislative process. It is
good to see you back here. Your experience will serve
you and your constituents well. I know that you will
work hard and do your very best to ensure that the
people of Meriden and the 13th District have a strong
voice at the Capitol. I wish you well in your new
role. Welcome.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
Edith Prague, 19th District. Senator Prague, you
fought a long, tough battle to return to the
legislature and we are glad to have you back. You
served for many distinguished years in the House and
then later as the State Commissioner on Aging. You
bring unparalleled commitment and expertise to this
chamber and to the legislature. And I sincerely wish
you very well and good luck as you embark on this new
journey. Welcome.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
Mark Nielsen, 24th District. Senator Mark Nielsen
of Danbury. Mark, it warms my heart to see you and so
many other House members here in the Senate. I may be
a little biased, but the best training in the world
occurs just one floor below us in the House. You did
not wait as long as some of your colleagues before
making the move to the Senate, but few freshman made as
big an impact in their first term as you did, Mark. I
know you will continue to doggedly pursue those issues
which you care deeply about. And I know you will shine
as the 24th District's new State Senator. Welcome.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
Brian McDermott, 34th District. Senator
McDermott, last is definitely not least.
Congratulations. As a small business owner and
operator, yours will be an important voice this session
as we debate the many issues involving job creation and
the economy. Also important will be your experience on
the Wallingford Town Council as we strive to develop a
new relationship between the State and its
municipalities. Welcome and best wishes to you for a
successful term.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you all. Thank you.
Is the Clerk in possession of any business?
CLERK:
Yes, Madam President. The Clerk is in possession
of Senate Resolution No. 4, RESOLUTION RAISING A
COMMITTEE ON CANVASS OF VOTES FOR STATE SENATOR,
introduced by Senator Fleming of the 8th District.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Madam President?
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I
move adoption of the resolution and I request that the
Clerk read it.
CLERK:
Resolved by the Senate that a committee consisting
of three Senators be appointed for the purpose of
examining and reporting upon the canvass and the return
of votes for State Senators.
PRESIDENT RELL:
The question is on adoption. Will you remark?
All those in favor please say Aye.
VOICES:
Aye.
PRESIDENT RELL:
All opposed?
The resolution is adopted.
I appoint Senator Genuario, Senator Nickerson and
Senator Sullivan to the Committee on Canvass Votes for
the State Senate.
Mr. Clerk?
CLERK:
The Clerk is in possession of Senate Resolution
No. 5, RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE PRINTING OF THE SENATE
JOURNAL, introduced by Senator Fleming of the 8th
District.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Madam President?
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. I move adoption
of the resolution and request that its reading be
waived. It's self-explanatory.
PRESIDENT RELL:
The question is on adoption.
All those in favor please indicate by saying Aye.
VOICES:
Aye.
PRESIDENT RELL:
All those opposed?
The Ayes have it. The resolution is adopted.
Is the Clerk in possession of any other business?
CLERK:
Yes. The Clerk is in possession of Senate
Resolution No. 6, RESOLUTION CONCERNING ROLL CALL AND
READING OF THE SENATE JOURNAL, introduced by Senator
Fleming of the 8th District.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Madam President?
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Madam President, I move adoption of the
resolution and request that its reading be waived.
Again it's self-explanatory.
PRESIDENT RELL:
The question is on adoption.
All those in favor indicate by saying Aye.
VOICES:
Aye.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Those opposed Nay?
The Ayes have it. The resolution is adopted.
I believe that our Committee on the Canvass of
Votes is ready to issue its report.
Senator Genuario?
SENATOR GENUARIO:
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, the
Committee to Canvass the Votes has met and reviewed the
results that the Secretary of State has given us and
decided that the tabulations were in order and that all
members are officially seated.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator. Having accepted your report,
the committee then is discharged.
SENATOR GENUARIO:
Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Mr. Clerk?
CLERK:
The Clerk is in possession of Senate Resolution
No. 7, RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE SENATE RULES,
introduced by Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Madam President?
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Madam President, I move adoption of the
resolution and request its reading be waived.
PRESIDENT RELL:
The question is on adoption. Will you remark?
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Madam
President, Senate Resolution No. 7, again, concerns the
rules of the Senate by which we will govern ourselves
over the next two years. There are two changes which I
would like to point out to the members.
In Senate Rule 28, almost an infamous rule in this
chamber, it is being changed this year to try to make
the Senate a little bit less distracted, to try to
control a little bit more of the activities that occur
on the floor. I think it will help us to proceed with
business. And that is one of the reasons why we have
incorporated it into the rules this year.
The second change concerns the last, as some
people call it, the three-day rule. In the last three
days of the session, we have agreed with the House that
we will allow business to be -- in the last five days
be transmitted between the chambers. It was a request
of the House to hopefully move the process of business
between the chambers during those last five days a
little bit more smoothly. I think it is a good idea
and for that reason would urge the members to support
it.
Other than that, the rules are the same as we have
had in the past two years, Madam President.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator Fleming.
Will you remark further? Will you remark? If not
--
SENATOR GUNTHER:
Madam President?
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Gunther.
SENATOR GUNTHER: I'd just like to take and say that
I'm very pleased with Rule 28. I don't think it's as
much as change as it is getting us back to the way the
Senate used to be conducted here. And I think it
should be abundantly clear to everybody that this
Senate chamber is going to go back when the government
comes to the attitudes that are taking place here and
also the control of the Senate itself. Just so that we
understand this. And I want to, if need be -- I don't
think it's clarification as much as it is, I think, my
interpretation. If there's any correction, I'd like
the record to show it.
But this particular rule which has been on the
books ever since I've been up here and even prior to
that I think is now going to be brought back in line
with this clarification. It says that "Persons other
than the members of the General Assembly shall not be
permitted on the floor of the Senate will it's in
session." I think that's very important.
We've had difficulty here, more so the past four
years than any time prior to that time. But we had
some rulings that was made by the Chair and that was in
our recent Special Session; that a ruling of the
Lieutenant Governor at that time said that a person
could be invited in, sit in a Senator's seat and confer
with another Senator while this session was going on.
I don't ever want to see that happen again. And I
think this clarifies that; that when we're in session,
the Senate controls itself and the only people that are
due in here are the Senators, elected House members,
our staff. But that the only time that any other
persons are here is by invitation either by the
Majority or Minority Leaders and the Lieutenant
Governor itself.
I think that you'll find that it's going to be
much easier to conduct the business of this session for
the next four years with Rule 28 being clarified to
this point.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator Gunther.
Senator DiBella?
SENATOR DiBELLA:
Thank you, Madam President. Through you to either
Senator Gunther or whomever will give me clarification
on that, the question of "the floor." I would assume
"the floor" refers to the rail and anyone inside of the
rail.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Madam?
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Through you,
yes, that is correct.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you.
Will you remark further? Will you remark? If
not, I'll try your minds.
Those in favor of the resolution indicate by
saying Aye.
VOICES:
Aye.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Those opposed Nay?
The Ayes have it. The resolution is adopted.
Mr. Clerk?
At this time I would recognize Senators for
personal privilege so they may introduce their family
and friends. Why don't we start on the right side of
the Circle and move our way around? Anyone?
SENATOR COLEMAN:
Good afternoon, Madam President.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Coleman.
SENATOR COLEMAN: It is my pleasure to join this
distinguished Circle today. Watching and observing as
usual and in support as usual, present today is my
wife, Pamela Coleman, who is standing behind me in the
blue suit. I'd ask the members of the Circle to please
welcome her.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR COLEMAN:
Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator Coleman.
Senator Nielsen? I'm sorry. Senator Rennie.
SENATOR RENNIE:
Thank you, Madam President. I thought it was safe
after the canvass of the vote was finished, but I guess
not.
PRESIDENT RELL:
It was almost Representative, sir. Excuse me.
SENATOR RENNIE:
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. It is
certainly a pleasure, to many an unexpected one, to be
here today. And I am very fortunate to be surrounded
by family and many friends. And I would just like to
take a moment to recognize one of them who has made it
possible for me to be here, to make this journey over
the past several years. And that is my mother's
sister, my aunt, June Rhodes of Avon who is in the
gallery. I would ask you to give her a very warm
welcome.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Munns?
SENATOR MUNNS:
Thank you, Representative. I mean Madam
President.
I promised her I would say that the first time I
addressed her.
I have a few people with us today, Madam
President, members of the chamber, behind me. The
reason I'm here is my mother, Virginia Munns, my aunt,
Bea Azelton, my nephew, David Copecki, a good friend
from Glastonbury, Al Phillips, who helped me out a lot
in my campaign. And speaking of that, if you want a
treasurer to keep you out of debt, Andrew Worthington
from Manchester does a great job. And also just a
couple of other people, Madam President. My niece,
Susie, who I think is en route from the gallery to
here, and my sister, Kim, who again, if it wasn't for
her, who is also my campaign manager, I wouldn't be
here. I'd like to ask the members to welcome them to
the Senate.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Representative -- excuse me -- Senator
Munns.
Senator Sullivan.
SENATOR SULLIVAN:
Thank you, Madam President. One who is proud not
necessarily to claim the distinction of ever having
been a Representative.
On this day of renewal, let me start by welcoming
you and congratulating you. Your tone and your
comments this morning I think launch us well for the
years ahead. And I appreciate that.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR SULLIVAN:
As a day of renewal, it's also a day of
appreciation and thanks. They're not all here, but I
want to say, because we sometimes forget this, thank
you to all the people in my district who give me the
pleasure and the honor to serve here, but, more
specifically, to two who are here today. My co-
campaign chair from this last election and my very good
friend, Tony DeFelippis from Farmington. And most
important of all, the person without whom none of this
is possible and without whose support and help and love
none of this is worth doing, my beloved wife, Carolyn.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR BOZEK:
Madam Chairman, good morning.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Bozek.
SENATOR BOZEK:
Thank you. Madam Chairman, I rise to thank, to
introduce a few friends, name them and thank every one
of them and wish well to all the members in the State
Senate. My first term. I'm anxious and looking
forward to working with all the members.
I'd like to quickly name a number of supporters
and friends who are here. Sometimes at these times you
miss a few, but let me point out members, all from New
Britain and a few from Berlin. Joan Calvo, Cathy
Spano, Ed Helnicki, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Bilacki, Edmund --
Mr. Roschek, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Gill, Adam Gill, Brian
Sheehan, and my brother-in-law, Jim Connelly, Frank
Smith, Sue Heel, my daughters, Mary, Elizabeth and
Kathleen and their husbands and boyfriends and two of
my grandchildren who are here. And last, but not least
-- hopefully I didn't miss anybody. Oh, one of my --
it's like missing my wife. My dear friend, Peter
Spano. And above all, for all of us who know the
difficulty in sharing our political careers, our
spouses. And mine, Judy Bozek.
Thank you, Madam President.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR KISSEL:
Thank you, Madam President. And I want to extend
to you congratulations, also, along with everyone else.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator Kissel.
SENATOR KISSEL:
Perhaps one of my New Year's resolutions should be
a bit more succinct in this chamber. I'm not sure.
I'm debating that. But one thing that I would like to
say very briefly is that while there are so many people
in this chamber, particularly my Republican colleagues
that did so much to support me and encourage me in this
past election cycle and I want to extend to all of them
my utmost thanks, there clearly is one person without
whose love and support and encouragement I would not
have been re-elected because I really needed this
person throughout the last two years and during a hard
campaign to be by my side and to understand.
And for those of you here in the Circle that are
married and have children -- and we don't have children
yet -- but you understand the kinds of pressures that
come to bear. So without a doubt, I just want to
introduce once again to the Circle the woman whom I
respect, love and admire, my dear wife, Cynthia.
Could we all give her a congratulatory applause? Thank
you.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator Kissel.
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes, Madam President. Thank you. Madam
President, before I introduce members of my family, I
wanted to acknowledge the only two other living
Republican Majority Leaders, former Republican Majority
Leaders. There are three of us now.
First of all, my dear friend, Lew Rome of
Bloomfield. Lou? And former Senator Smith of New
Hartford.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR FLEMING:
Madam President, in the Gallery I would like to
introduce some of the members of my family and my good
friends. First of all, my mother and father are in the
Gallery, Ginny and Joe Fleming. My father's got the
camera on me right now. My in-laws, Fred and Susan
Smith, and my good friends, Rodney and Jennifer Johnson
from Darien. If they would rise?
APPLAUSE
SENATOR FLEMING:
And, also, Bill Beauman, who is the Vice Chairman
of the Republican party in Simsbury. And I did see Peg
Albert, who is the 8th District Central Committee
woman. Peg, if you'd stand up, we'll embarrass you.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR FLEMING:
Then I'd like to introduce my brother-in-law, Tim
Polar, who is sitting back here with my family. And if
you guys could come up here? First of all, I'd like to
introduce Spike. This is Spike. And my youngest son,
Alexander, my oldest son, Michael, and my middle son,
Andrew, and my wife, Christine.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator Fleming.
Senator Ciotto.
SENATOR CIOTTO:
Thank you very much, Madam President, especially
for your warm introduction and kind words. I'm
privileged and honored to be here as a member of this
Circle today. And I do have family and friends. I
think you can tell by the loudness of the sound of the
applause.
First I'd like to introduce my lovely wife, Jean,
who has been my bride this coming January 22 for 40
years. Where are you, Jean?
APPLAUSE
SENATOR CIOTTO:
Thank you. A very, very courageous ladies. Had
both knees operated on October 24 for full knee
replacement. She's up here today making sure nothing
happens to her hubby. Thank you, dear, and I love you.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR CIOTTO:
I'd also like to thank Lieutenant Governor Joe
Fauliso who was here earlier. I don't know if he's
left by now. But thank you, Joe, for being here this
morning.
And now, if I might, I have five children up in
that balcony. One of them left already. I guess we
wore him out. But if I might? My son, Joseph, my son,
John, my daughter, Maria, my daughter, Julie, and my
lovely grandson, Jonathan. Would you all please stand
up and be acknowledged?
APPLAUSE
SENATOR CIOTTO:
Also in the front row, the Registrar of Votes, the
Democratic Registrar of Voters, I might add, from the
great Town of Wethersfield, Carmen Pace. And my
campaign assistants, Serino Gerantano and Fred DeNardi.
Sitting immediately in back of them, Paul Mangoficco,
my Uncle Mike who has been around these grounds for
many, many years, Joe Romano, Mary Piccolo, Frank and
Fran Patti. And if I miss anybody up there, holler,
because I can't see everybody. Who am I missing? Oh.
Bobby, how are you? Bob. And, also, my friends from -
- my cousin, Len Gallizzia, my friends from the Motor
Vehicle Department, Tony Armatano, Francesca Pulielli,
Cindy Lantieri, Joe Detomauro and Ernie Steve Baron.
God bless you all. Thank you.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Harp? Good morning.
SENATOR HARP:
Madam President, it's good to say those words.
Congratulations.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you.
SENATOR HARP:
I would like to introduce to the Circle my
children, Dajna Harp, Jameel Harp and Matthew Harp; a
colleague of mine from the City of New Haven,
Alderwoman Esther Armand; and my best friend, Ann Marie
Cruz; and my husband somewhere, Wendall Harp. Thank
you for sharing this moment with me.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Looney, may I interrupt you just one
moment so that I can take a point of personal privilege
to acknowledge some distinguished guests? And if I
don't do it now, they might leave us before I've been
able to say hello.
We have with us today Lou Rome, who is a former
Republican Majority Leader, over there.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Reginald Smith. I know him as Reg, who is now the
Chairman of the Public Utilities Control Authority and
a former State Senator. Welcome, Reg.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Max Case was here, who is Legislative Commissioner
and was a former Senator. Thank you, Max.
Ed Marcus I believe is someplace, who was
Democratic State Chairman. He's not here?
And John Mastopietro, who is the Republican State
Chairman.
Welcome to all of you and thank you for coming.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you, Senator Looney.
SENATOR LOONEY:
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, we
often are tricked by the passage of time. Many of us
who have been here for a long time often don't realize
the changes that the time brings. Things move along
sometimes without landmarks or without things to draw
our attention. But I think the thing that draws our
attention most to the recognition of the passage of
time is the growth and change in our children.
I'm joined here today by my son, Michael, who was
four years old during my first term in the House of
Representatives and is now a freshman at Yale
University these 14 years later. So he has grown up in
this building and knows every nook and cranny of it and
has loved it all the years that he's been growing up.
Thank you, Madam President.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Aniskovich.
SENATOR ANISKOVICH:
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I've
shared this morning with members of the Smith and the
Gaffey family. And so it gives me great pleasure to
introduce my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Celia,
in absentia, who is home with Grandma this morning.
That makes this day a very special day for my wife,
Jennifer, who has joined me this morning and who is
very happy to watch people amble about as they do. And
I want to introduce you and have the Senate recognize
her.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Gaffey.
SENATOR GAFFEY:
Madam President, thank you. No wonder Senator
Aniskovich looks so much at ease.
I'd like to introduce you to, first of all, my
family; my son, Tommy, who has found the debate on the
rules so interesting that he's nodded off; my daughter,
Elizabeth; my wife, Kathy. I'd also like to introduce
in the Gallery my parents, Martin and Joyce Gaffey.
Please stand?
APPLAUSE
SENATOR GAFFEY:
And, also, just a few others. My mother-in-law,
Ellen Gracie; my sister, Katie; my brother, Michael;
and my campaign manager from Meriden, the Majority
Leader of the City Council in Meriden, Michael Rohde;
and City Councilman, Joe Vinci, Jr. from Middletown, my
coordinator in Middletown; and the Town Chairlady of
the great Town of Middlefield, Marian Thayer. Will the
Circle please rise and give them a warm welcome?
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
I hope somebody is minding the store in your
district, Tom.
Senator Smith.
SENATOR SMITH:
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to introduce
all of you to a few people who make this all work for
me. First and most importantly is my wife, Debbie. I
can't do these things without all of her help and
support. And these are my kids. This is little
Winnie, Sasha and Hannah Lee. And they keep me honest
when I'm not up here being whatever we do up here. And
I'd like to also introduce my mother who is effectively
a co-campaign manager in everything that I do. And
she's been a great help and inspiration to me. And I
would like to introduce my campaign manager, Paul
Rapanow, who for some of you this is good news; he's
responsible for having me elected here. For others of
you, well, you can talk with him later. And I'd also
finally just like to introduce my father, Win Smith,
Sr., who was a State Senator 20 years in this seat.
He's my political heritage. And his wife, Bonnie. I'd
like you all to welcome them here to the Senate today.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Upson?
SENATOR UPSON:
Congratulations to you, Senator Eads.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you. And to you.
SENATOR UPSON:
You'll do a fantastic job.
I want to congratulate Senator DiBella for his new
hairstyle and color.
SENATOR EADS:
You're just jealous.
SENATOR UPSON:
Also, I want to congratulate the Edith Prague
gallery here for having the most applause.
And I want to thank the Sheas from Waterbury and
the Barnharts from Waterbury and Mary Ellen Ion,
Roberto and Henry Capozzi, and Kathy Corcoran, and
Steve Somma and his wife for being here, and all the
other wonderful people that probably don't know us that
well that voted for us.
I congratulate the new people who, as they speak,
leave the chamber, as we did, two years ago, as do
their followers. But for those 18 left here, I hope
you all stay and hear what they have to say. It's
going to be a good year. Congratulations. God bless
everyone here.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Somma.
SENATOR SOMMA:
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to
congratulate you and Senator Fleming. And I'd also
like to congratulate Tim on his new hairstyle. He said
less is more.
I'm very happy to be here, Madam President. I
would like to thank the voters of Waterbury, Wolcott
and Southington for their support in sending me back to
serve a fourth term and particularly in this very
historic session. And I'm very excited about serving
closely with our new Governor, John Rowland. So I'm
very happy about that opportunity.
And I have someone that has been my wife for the
last four years, a source of inspiration and hope, my
friend, Caroline, who has joined me today. Would you
please welcome her?
APPLAUSE
SENATOR SOMMA:
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you. We're glad to have you back, too,
Steve.
Senator Crisco.
SENATOR CRISCO:
Thank you, Madam President. And I first offer my
sincere best wishes to you and Senator Fleming on your
new responsibilities and to your colleagues.
Madam President, we hear consistently from
Washington about smaller government and I believe that
you alluded to it in your opening remarks. I believe
that Connecticut has its own version of smaller
government. And I welcome my colleagues, Senator
Ciotto, Senator Bozek and Senator McDermott and Senator
DeLuca, Senator Colapietro. And myself, of course.
Madam President, we have all been fortunate in
having people support us and love us over the years.
I'm very fortunate to have a bride of 36 years, a woman
who runs a small business, a mother of six children and
a grandmother of ten children, standing behind Senator
Coleman, my lovely wife, Pat Crisco.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR CRISCO:
Now, she tries to make me feel good by having her
own crewcut.
Madam President, may I offer best wishes to
Senator Guglielmo in his new role as Chairman of the
Commerce Committee? Despite criticism of economic
development over the past several years, I believe
Connecticut has taken the forefront in being very
competitive. And I wish him the best and I look
forward to working with him and other members of the
Circle in continuing the good work that has been done
in the past.
Thank you, Madam President.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you, Senator.
Senator Cook.
SENATOR COOK:
Good morning, Madam President. It is a pleasure
to address you this way and I hope that we're going to
have a very exciting term. I would like to make a
comment, a thank-you to the voters of the 18th
District. Public service, for me, is the single most
humbling profession that there is. To have such an
overwhelming number of people come to the polls and
vote for us or to vote at all is indeed a humbling and
great honor for me personally. And I extend my deepest
gratitude to the voters of the 18th District.
I am joined by some friends and by my family here
and I would like to introduce them to you. First, my
daughter, Betsy, who is here. And she is a great deal
of help at home and on the campaign trail as well. We
have some members of the family with the flu. My
eldest son, Adam, a college student, is not with us,
but certainly has been a great help. And Caleb had a
very important field trip at school that he would much
rather be at. So he's there.
My parents are in the Gallery, Betty and Russell
Wells. My brother, Rob, and his children are here,
Kelly and Colleen and Ben. And I want to send a
special thank you to my eleven-year-old nephew, Ben,
who radio ad saying, "Please vote for Aunt Kathy"
really was a great help to the campaign and he's the
reason that I'm back in this seat.
Thank you all very much.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Prague. I want to give my individual and
personal welcome to you. We go back a number of years
and it's delightful to see you again.
SENATOR PRAGUE:
Thank you, Madam President, and congratulations to
you.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you.
SENATOR PRAGUE:
The Senate will be well led by your leadership.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you.
SENATOR PRAGUE:
Today, ladies and gentlemen and my colleagues
sitting here in this chamber, today is a bittersweet
day for me. I do have a lot of wonderful volunteers
here with me. They're sitting up there in the Gallery
and they really are a big part of my life. And I'm
glad that they're here with me.
My children, three of my children are here. My
daughter, Susan, and her two sons and her husband,
Dana, her two sons, Sam and Josh. My daughter, Binea,
and her husband, Steven, and their baby, Matthew. And
my daughter, Joanne, and her husband, Mark. Their baby
is at home.
I have lots of friends and extended family. My
sister-in-law and brother-in-law, my son-in-law's
parents, Joe and Norma Delear.
I really want to thank you, all of you, for
coming. I really am okay.
SENATOR EADS:
Good.
SENATOR PRAGUE:
The one person in my life --
SENATOR EADS:
We understand it.
SENATOR PRAGUE:
-- that I would just like to mention who is not
here but who is with me in spirit is my husband, Frank,
who shared my life for 48 years; who saw me through a
lot of campaigns, who was very much a part of this
Senatorial race, who died last week. But he is here
with us in spirit.
And I am glad to be here and I'm glad that all of
my friends and family are here. And I'm happy to share
this day with my colleagues. And I thank all of you
who were kind, who sent their condolences, who were
part of the whole experience that helped. You really
helped me get through that terrible time.
And thank all of you.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
It's hard. But you've been in our thoughts and
prayers, Edith. Believe me.
SENATOR PRAGUE:
Thank you.
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Peters.
SENATOR PETERS:
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal
privilege, first of all, to congratulate you.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you.
SENATOR PETERS:
And to bring to the Circle's attention some very
dear friends of mine up in the Gallery. Sharon and
Cary Palmer and Mike Looney. If you'd please stand?
Thank you. That are volunteers and friends of mine on
my campaign.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR PETERS:
To introduce my dad. And some people wonder why
my early support of John Larson when he was running for
Governor -- to introduce my dad, Wallace Larson, behind
me from Massachusetts.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR PETERS:
I love you, Dad.
And to re-introduce to the Circle those people I
have made very, very close friends with and looking
forward to the new friendships that I'm going to be
forming within the Circle, my husband who I refer to as
the wind beneath my wings, Earl Peters.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR PETERS:
Thank you for sharing this time with me.
And thank you for the opportunity, Madam
President.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you.
Senator Gunther.
SENATOR GUNTHER:
Thank you for the opportunity to introduce my
family. And, of course, we don't get together too
often. But we have most of them here today. And I'll
say, first of all, we have my long-suffering wife, that
this will be our 54th year. So we've got a little
mileage on us. But everybody asks her how does she
tolerate it. She says, "He's not home that much." So
my wife, Pat.
I have my -- well, unfortunately, my oldest
daughter has to work today, but I know she's here in
spirit. And one of her children, Stacy, is at George
Mason University in Virginia attending school. We have
her oldest daughter, my oldest granddaughter, and that
little -- that is a baby in her arms there. That makes
me a great-grandfather. And that's going to be the
brains of the Gunther family. There's only thing I
have to apologize for and that is my granddaughter is a
lawyer. And it doesn't make it very easy for me
because she's been in the business of getting people
out of jail and I want to see her getting them, putting
them back into jail.
I have my Daughter No. 2, which is Carla over
here, and her husband, Ronnie, and my grandson, Chris,
who you can tell by the paraphernalia around him he's
been around a bit. He spent a couple of years in
Germany, just got back from Saudi Arabia. And if you
have any questions of why we're not in any trouble over
there, Chris, thank you; you took care of all of it.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR GUNTHER:
Then we have my son with the evil eye there. He's
been taking pictures of me. I think he's going to take
and try to sell them as blackmail or something. But my
son, Lance, and his friend, Jan, are friend.
So that's the Gunther tribe. And we probably
won't see you for another couple of years. But we keep
trying.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you, Don.
Senator Scarpetti.
SENATOR SCARPETTI:
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal
privilege. And before I get into that, Madam
President, I would like to also add my congratulations.
And I know with you at the helm and Senator Fleming,
our Majority Leader, we'll work very well with the
Minority Leader, Senator DiBella and Senator Sullivan,
because I think we need someone -- and I think the four
of you together will get us all -- we'll do very, very
well this year, this session, I'm sure.
Now to get to the matter at hand, I have my family
here, Madam President. Some of them are in from
California. But before I get into the family, I'd like
to introduce Rosa Carea and Anna Garcia. They were
here. They might have left, Madam President.
SENATOR EADS:
No. They're over there.
SENATOR SCARPETTI:
Oh. All right. Thank you. Thank you.
And, Madam President, behind me we have the First
Selectman of the Town of Monroe, Ken Heitzke, and his
lovely wife, Lois, standing right behind me. Thank
you.
And up in the Gallery I have my son, Ray, from
California; my son, Rick, who is a standard bearer.
He's here all the time. And my daughter, Doreen. If
you'd stand please?
APPLAUSE
SENATOR SCARPETTI:
Thank you. Thank you very much.
And here, if nobody can guess, are my
grandchildren. This is Ricky, the baby. Oh. I'm
sorry. The youngest. Gina and David. David is in
from California and this is his first time here, so
please welcome him.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR SCARPETTI:
Thank you. And, Madam President, behind me is my
daughter-in-law, Debbie, who is another very stalwart
person. She's here all the time. Without this support
I don't know if I'd make it. I thank you very, very
much.
Please give them a round of applause.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you.
SENATOR SCARPETTI:
Thank you.
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Penn.
SENATOR PENN:
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal
privilege please?
SENATOR EADS:
Certainly.
SENATOR PENN:
First I'd like to extend to you my heartiest
congratulations.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you.
SENATOR PENN:
I'm happy to see you up there.
I've got everybody in my office. I'm going to
have to look around and see who is here. I know the
Mayor of Bridgeport is floating around here somewhere.
So I'd like to welcome him.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR PENN:
And Lee just took my adopted grandchildren, too.
I don't know where they went. I have some friends from
Bridgeport, Dommy and Ricky Roban from Bridgeport and
my staff in Bridgeport and my friends. Thank you for
coming up. And my other absentee ballot. I don't see
her. I guess she's up in the office, too, probably
just somewhere around here.
But thank you, Madam President.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you, Senator Penn.
Senator Nielsen.
SENATOR NIELSEN:
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, as
the longest-running freshman in the General Assembly,
as well as perhaps the youngest member of the Circle,
it seems only appropriate that I start with my parents.
I have with me this afternoon my mother and my father,
Janet and Ken Nielsen, who reside in Southwick,
Massachusetts. And they have, by the way, promised to
make sure that I behave.
SENATOR EADS:
Good.
SENATOR NIELSEN:
And I have with me the most important person in my
life, a tremendous and wonderful source of love,
strength and support, my wife, Jane Nielsen.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR NIELSEN:
And, Madam President, just one more person who I'd
like to introduce to the chamber, someone who is
standing towards the back of the chamber near the door,
Tyrone Humes of Danbury, Connecticut, the Chairman of
our Republican Town Committee in Danbury.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR NIELSEN:
Someone who is going to leave his mark on the
state and this place before he is through, I'm sure.
Thank you very much for this opportunity, Madam
President.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you, Senator Nielsen.
Senator Genuario.
SENATOR GENUARIO:
Thank you, Madam President. I rise for a point of
personal privilege.
SENATOR EADS:
Proceed.
SENATOR GENUARIO:
Madam President, I am truly blessed today to have
with me a number of very, very important people. And
first and foremost on that list is, of course, my
wonderful wife, Mary Ann. And as those of you who have
had occasion to glance over here this morning, you know
that she is the one who has her hands full, not us in
the Circle.
And I also have with me four very special people.
My sons, Robert, Eric, Adam and Andrew. Robbie, Eric
and Adam are currently going around the Circle
collecting autographs, if you would be so kind as to
accommodate. And Andrew, you may well remember, is the
Genuario who is proven to have the most dramatic
politic timing in the Circle.
Also with me today is my father-in-law, Lester
Singewald, and good friend, Yara Webber, and my sister,
Andrea Arnold, and her husband, Robert Arnold, and my
very special niece, Sarah Arnold. Also are friends
from the District, Jeff Conswor and Peter Nolan.
If you would welcome them all, I would certainly
appreciate it.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Freedman.
SENATOR FREEDMAN:
Thank you, Madam President. A point of personal
privilege please?
SENATOR EADS:
Proceed.
SENATOR FREEDMAN:
First of all, I'd like to extend my heartiest
congratulations. It's so nice to be able to say Madam
President to you.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you.
SENATOR FREEDMAN: And I look forward to a challenging
two years for all of us.
Today I have visiting with us the Vice Chairman of
the Republican Party, Mrs. Pat Longo, and her husband,
Joe, who are up in the balcony. My State Central
Committee man was here. He's disappeared. And my
husband will be joining us later.
And I would just like to say to all of my
colleagues in the Circle, we're going to have a good
two years.
Thank you, Madam President.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you, Senator Freedman.
Senator Jepsen is not present in the chamber.
Senator Lovegrove.
SENATOR LOVEGROVE:
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to add my
name to the long list of people congratulating you
today. And I know we're going to have a fantastic two
years ahead of us.
I'd also like to welcome my good friends, Ken and
Lois Heitzke from Monroe, to the Circle this morning
and thank them very much for all the effort they put
forth into my campaign.
For those of you who might have thought that I was
a bit late in getting here when Senator Fleming stood
up and pointed it out to everybody, I hope by now that
you turned your watches back 15 minutes.
Thank you.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you, Senator Lovegrove.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Williams
SENATOR WILLIAMS:
Madam President, as a graduate of Washington and
Lee, it's an extra privilege, really, to congratulate a
graduate from just down the road at Sweetbrier on your
ascendency to President Pro Tem. Congratulations.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you, Don.
SENATOR WILLIAMS:
And it is a long road to the Senate and I think
there are many people who are responsible, really, for
whatever successes we have here. But there are two
people who are quite literally responsible for my being
here and they've traveled from Thompson, Connecticut to
be with us today. I'd ask that they stand please. My
parents, Donald Williams, Sr. and Donna Williams.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR WILLIAMS:
Thank you, Madam President.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you.
Senator Colapietro.
SENATOR COLAPIETRO:
Thank you, Madam President. I rise on a point of
special privilege?
SENATOR EADS:
Proceed.
SENATOR COLAPIETRO:
First of all, I'd like to congratulate all the
officials, as well as yourself and welcome them to the
Circle, the new freshmen, and only offer one bit of
advice to them; that you may be called a freshman, but
you get old real quick and you're an old-timer real
fast up here. So, welcome.
Unfortunately, my family was not able to be here.
They, most of them, live in Florida. I can say one
thing that's on the upbeat. My daughter, my oldest
daughter and my grandson are today en route back to
Connecticut, moving back here. So I'll not only have
my son and two grandchildren, I'll have my daughter and
her son.
My other son who just came back from Florida
yesterday found out that as a business person -- he
owns a small business in your district, Del, Torrington
-- that he could not be here today because he had
business to attend to, unfortunately. But he extends
his well wishes.
And just one other thing. I want to take the time
to thank my constituents. I want to thank my mother,
who we did manage to fly up here from Florida on
election day, who spent 14 hours and turned 80 years
old December 9, spent 14 hours on the campaign trail
with me. So that's a moment that I'll never forget and
she'll never forget.
And welcome back. And I'm glad to be back here
amongst the freshmen.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you.
Senator DeLuca.
SENATOR DeLUCA:
Thank you, Madam President. Before I take a point
of personal privilege, I have an announcement that the
Insurance Committee will be meeting at noon or at 15
minutes after the House adjourns in Room 302 for an
organizational meeting that will last approximately ten
seconds.
SENATOR EADS:
Glad you warned me.
SENATOR DeLUCA:
I rise also to thank the many people that helped
to get me here and, first of all, those many people
that voted in the past election and saw fit to send me
back again. And one of those, representing those, is
the former Town Chairman, Republican Town Chairman of
the Town of Woodbury, and the father of a previous
occupant of this seat, Howard McLaughlin, who is in the
Gallery and I would like to introduce.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR DeLUCA:
Also with us is a very close friend who is now a
Commissioner of the Department of Public Utilities
Control, Mike Kenny, who is behind me here.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR DeLUCA:
And members of my family that could join me,
starting with the gentleman who is sitting in my seat
at the moment.
SENATOR EADS:
Standing.
SENATOR DeLUCA:
My grandson, Oliver Murphy. My granddaughter,
Casey Reilly. My daughter, Kathy. My daughter, Gail.
And for those who might wonder at all the Irish names,
the founder of that, my wife, Alice McLaughlin DeLuca.
Thank you very much for the privilege of
introducing them.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you for doing so.
Senator Daily.
SENATOR DAILY:
Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal
privilege?
SENATOR EADS:
Proceed.
SENATOR DAILY:
And I would first like to offer you my heartiest
and sincerest congratulations. I know you'll do a
wonderful job.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you.
SENATOR DAILY:
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all
the people that sent me back here and helped me to get
here. In particular, my father, Jim Meade; my Aunt
Katie Meade. I would also like to recognize my mother
in the Gallery, Mary Meade.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR DAILY:
My godmother and my aunt, Margaret O'Donnell,
seated beside her. My sister and brother-in-law,
Maureen and Bob Griffin. My husband, Jim Daily, who
during this season has had to be more than a
candidate's spouse and had to be a nurse. Jim Daily.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR DAILY:
My daughter, Amy Daily, a student a UConn and my
son, Jeff Daily, who was my campaign manager and
surrogate candidate.
And in addition to thanking all them, I would ask
the Senate to rise and give a special Happy Birthday
wish to my husband, Jim Daily.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Happy birthday, Jim. Many, many more healthy and
happy ones.
Senator McDermott.
SENATOR McDERMOTT:
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to rise for
a point of personal privilege.
SENATOR EADS:
Proceed.
SENATOR McDERMOTT:
It's a great honor to join the Circle this year
with many of the freshman Senators that I saw today.
We're going to work very well together. I'm looking
forward to working with this entire Circle. I've heard
great things and I've seen great things happen in this
historic building and I want to be a part of the
historic process that restores pride in Connecticut
over the next several years. And I look forward to
working with all of my new colleagues over the years.
This day has proven that the campaign trail is
very useful in teaching endurance and patience and what
family members are really about; stick it through to
the very end with us at the other side of the Circle
here. And I thank you for staying here for this
special day for our family and my family.
I want to introduce a few people. Jim Fitzsimmons
was my treasurer. I hope you got to the bank by 10:00.
I want to introduce to you my sisters and their
husbands, Irene and Alan Jackson, Maureen and Tim
Murphy up in the Gallery, Barbara and Jim Grandby.
And last, but not least, I want to thank two very
special people to me, my parents, who both came over to
this country, this great country, 35 years ago in
search of the American dream and found it. They're
both from County Loth, Ireland. And it's a great
pleasure and thank you both very much for everything
you've done for me.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR McDERMOTT:
Thank you, Madam President.
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Guglielmo.
SENATOR GUGLIELMO:
Thank you, Madam President. I rise for a point of
personal privilege. I'd like to introduce my wife,
Doris, who is my partner in business and also was my
campaign manager.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR GUGLIELMO:
My mother, Mary, who was probably the hardest
worker in the campaign, pushed me along. My daughter,
oldest daughter, Diedre. My grandson, Anthony, who
wanted to go downstairs and see the dinosaur, but I
told him there were plenty of dinosaurs up here. So he
came up here.
And I'd like to introduce some of the people from
my district. Russ Mayhew from Eastford, John Casey,
Frank Villano from Coventry and Kathy Bach from
Tolland. I don't know if they're still here, but they
were here a little while ago. They were all very
helpful. And an old friend of our family who will be
working up here at the Capitol, Jane Bogini. And Derek
Cook. I don't know if he's here or not. I saw him
lurking around.
And I'd also like to mention my daughter, Kristen,
who is our youngest, who served as the treasurer for
the campaign. She also works in the insurance office
with my wife and I. And somebody had to stay home and
do business, so she's there.
I'd like to have you all rise and give them a
Senate welcome.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Nickerson. I guess we should have gone
clockwise instead of counter-clockwise. Everybody
leaves you and me. Go ahead. Proceed.
SENATOR NICKERSON:
I'll take it anyway.
SENATOR EADS:
I'm with you.
SENATOR NICKERSON:
Thank you, Madam President. It's a great pleasure
to greet you there and to say my thanks to you and to
Senator Fleming for asking me to join your Leadership
team. I look forward to serving for you and with you
and with all of the other 35 Senators.
First, I'd like to begin by welcoming a
distinguished First Selectman, I think one of the
longest-serving First Selectman in the State of
Connecticut, Mr. John Margenot, the five-term First
Selectman of the Town of Greenwich. We share many
things, some of which are very obvious.
A football coach will tell you that the
quarterback gets the headlines and the sunlight, but
he's only as good as the interior linemen that play in
front of him and for him and with him. And I've been
immensely fortunate in my political career to have
friends who have been willing to be my interior
linemen, who serve without much recognition, obviously
without pay, without headlines, but stand by me in
rainy days and sunny days, whether the field is muddy
or whether the field is clear.
And I have two that I'd like to recognize today
and, through them, all of my political friends for so
many years. And they are my good friend, Gerry Finn of
Greenwich, former Chairman of the Republican Town
Committee, and my dear friend, Arthur Auk, my four-time
campaign treasurer. To Art and to Gerry and to all my
friends who supported me so much, I ask you to accept
my thanks and I ask the Senate to join with me in
extending a warm welcome. Thanks.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
I think, bear with me, it is my time. And I'd be
very remiss if I didn't introduce the people that are
here with me. To begin with, I have our younger son
over here, Greg, with his two sons, our grandsons,
Greg, Jr. and Damian. And up in the Gallery I have my
treasurer, Sue Cogswell from Torrington, whom I thank
for keeping me on the straight and narrow. My campaign
manager was someplace around, Janet Craig, who has been
with me for years and years.
And also in the audience is Ann Jenastasio, who is
Republican Chairman of the Town Committee, and Millie
Waldren, who is the Republic Registrar of Voters, and
Donna Eisley, who is a very good Republican member of
the Town Committee.
And last, but by far not least, of the members
that have helped me to get back in this chamber is my
husband, Vern, who has backed me all the way all these
years and still doing it. And I much appreciate it,
dear.
APPLAUSE
SENATOR EADS:
I think that takes care of all the comments. And
I'm -- oh, I'm sorry. Yes. Senator Bozek.
SENATOR BOZEK:
Thank you very much. Just a split second more for
additional privilege, Madam Chairman. I had so many
people visit today and I didn't prepare the list, not
knowing that we were following this format. But I only
have three additional people to recognize, if you would
please permit me.
And one of my strong supporters, a wonderful
gentlemen from Berlin, Connecticut, Mr. Victor Salsi.
A good friend, a young friend from New Britain, a hard
worker, a wonderful young man, Tom Toleli. And a
wonderful senior lady from the City of New Britain who
was New Britain's actually first elected Selectwoman
years ago, Anna Myevitch. Thank you very much.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you.
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. If there are no
other points of personal privilege, I believe that the
Clerk is in possession of Senate Agenda No. 2.
CLERK:
Senate Agenda No. 2, introduction of Senate and
House List of Bills and Resolutions, List No. 1.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Madam President?
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Madam
President, I move that Senate Agenda No. 2, dated
January 4, 1995, be acted upon as indicated and that
the agenda be incorporated by reference into the Senate
Journal and the Senate transcript.
SENATOR EADS:
So ordered.
Mr. Clerk?
CLERK:
Madam President, the Clerk is in possession of
Senate Resolution No. 8, RESOLUTION RAISING A COMMITTEE
OF THREE TO INFORM THE HOUSE THAT THE SENATE IS READY
TO MEET IN JOINT CONVENTION, introduced by Senator
Fleming.
SENATOR EADS:
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Madam
President, I move adoption of the resolution and ask
that its reading be waived. It is self-explanatory.
SENATOR EADS:
The question is on adoption.
All in favor say Aye.
VOICES:
Aye.
SENATOR EADS:
All opposed?
The resolution is adopted. I understand this is
what I'm supposed to do.
The Chair appoints Senators Gunther, Freedman and
Sullivan. And the chamber will stand at ease while
they go to tell the House that we are ready.
(Senate at ease)
SENATOR EADS:
I see that the committee is back and that the
House is ready to meet in joint session. Listen up.
At 3:00 P.M.
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Madam
President, just so that the members are aware of what
we will be doing the rest of the day, we will -- after
the joint convention, the Senate will reconvene to take
up the joint rules and one resolution. If everything
runs as smooth as it usually does around here, it will
probably be some time around 3:30 or 4:00. And with
that, Madam President, I would move, if no one else has
any points of personal privilege, I would move that the
Senate stand in recess so that we might attend the
joint convention. And as I said, it's our intention to
come back and take up additional business after the
joint convention.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you very much, Senator Fleming. The chamber
will stand at ease and will reconvene at around 3:30
after the joint convention. Pardon? We'll recess,
I've been told. I've been corrected.
Thank you very much.
(RECESS)
PRESIDENT RELL:
Please come to order.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Madam President?
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Fleming?
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes, Madam President. I believe the Clerk has
Senate Agenda 3.
CLERK:
Yes. Senate Agenda 3, dated Wednesday, January 4,
1995.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Madam President?
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes, Madam President. I move that all items on
Senate Agenda No. 3, dated January 4, 1995, be acted
upon as indicated and that the agenda be incorporated
by reference into the Senate Journal and Senate
transcript.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Without objection, so ordered.
Mr. Clerk?
CLERK:
The Clerk is in possession of House Joint
Resolution No. 1, RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE JOINT
RULES, introduced by Representative Lyons and Senator
Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Madam President?
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes, Madam President. I move adoption of the
resolution and ask permission to summarize.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Please proceed.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Madam
President, there are some changes in the Joint Rules
this year. Some of them are clean-up. Some of them
are for the purposes of the fact that we do have a
split House and Senate, split in the sense that one
party controls one chamber and one party controls the
other.
What I thought I would do is to go through the
major changes. The first change is to clarify an
ambiguity as to whether or not during the interim and
following the '96 regular session that the Joint Rules
will govern. So we've clarified that section of the
rules to say that they will.
The Joint Rules also have been divided into two
sub-sections with caption titles and this will, I
think, make it easier to refer and use the rules.
The cognizance of the Judiciary Committee has been
expanded to include any bill containing civil penalties
of more than $5,000.00.
We have changed the name of the Energy and Public
Utilities Committee to reflect many of the decisions
that affect technology. It will be the Energy and
Technology Committee.
The cognizance of the Human Services Committee has
been changed to reflect the new names of the combined
agencies.
The cognizance of the Public Health Committee has
been changed to reflect the inclusion of the Office of
Health Care Access.
A change has been made to require a presiding
chairperson to recognize each member wishing to be
heard prior to ordering the vote on a final question.
A provision has been put in place so that when a
split committee reports out two identical versions of a
bill that LCO may merge them into one bill. Hopefully,
that won't happen too often.
A change has been made to reflect that votes are
recorded on a tally sheet rather than in the minutes.
A provision has been put in place to require that
in the event of a meeting on less than a day's notice
that both chairpersons must approve the time, place and
agenda. We've also specified that such approval would
not be unreasonably withheld.
A change has been made so that agendas must be
prepared for all meetings even though they were held on
less than one day's notice.
Committees have been given additional days to hold
subject matter public hearings.
We have also clarified that when a public official
testifies during the first hour of a public hearing
that that is, in fact, considered part of the public
hearing.
A proposed bill deadline has been set for January
12, 1995.
A change has been made to reflect that the
Governor's bills will be introduced by the legislative
leaders of the Governor's party.
The committee bill deadlines have been moved
forward in the process so that the members, hopefully,
will focus their energy early in the process.
The JF deadlines are essentially the same as we've
seen in the past. However, the JF deadlines for
Appropriation and Finance have been reversed, meaning
that Finance will report out after Appropriations. The
deadline for Appropriations will be April 27 and the
deadline for Finance, Revenue and Bonding will be May 1
of 1995.
We've also changed the Special Rules to allow that
there would be swift passage of bills during the last
three days. We've expanded that to the last five
days.
Lobbyists will also be prohibited from entering
OLR and OFA, as well as LCO.
Changes have been made in Rule 31. They were made
to deal with an ambiguity as to how much time the
General Assembly has to deal with awards in collective
bargaining agreements.
And, Madam President, one other I think rather
significant change is that the chairpersons of the
committee now when you go to split a committee will be
able to, without a vote of the committee ask that the
committee, in fact, be split on a particular question.
It leaves the splitting process in place as it has
always been, but it adds that additional power to the
chairpersons of the committee.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator Fleming.
Will you remark further? Will you remark further?
The question is on adoption of the Joint Rules.
Senator Fleming?
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes, Madam President. I believe you need a Roll
Call on this.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator.
CLERK:
A Roll Call has been ordered in the Senate. Will
all Senators return to the chamber? A Roll Call has
been ordered in the Senate. Will all Senators return
to the chamber?
PRESIDENT RELL:
The machine is open. Would all Senators please
cast their votes?
If the chamber would just stand at ease a minute,
we're trying to make the announcement.
In fact, Mr. Clerk, would you announce it again?
CLERK:
The Roll Call is in process in the Senate. Will
all Senators please return to the chamber? Roll Call
is in process in the Senate. Will all Senators please
return to the chamber?
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Eads?
SENATOR EADS:
I guess they want me out of the chamber real quick
because my buttons aren't working. Literally. I would
like to be recorded in the affirmative until the
electrician or whoever gets here. Thank you.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator Eads. The Journal will so
note.
I would like to ask if Senator Coleman or Senator
DeLuca are here. They are not? Then I'd order that
the machine be closed.
Clerk, take a tally.
The Clerk will now announce the tally. Would the
Clerk announce the tally?
CLERK:
With 34 voting, necessary for passage would be 18.
Those voting Yea, 34; zero, Nay.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you. The resolution is adopted.
Mr. Clerk, is there any other business?
CLERK:
Madam President, the Clerk is in possession of
House Joint Resolution No. 2, RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE
PUBLICATION OF LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN, PRINTING OF BILLS
AND EXPENSES OF THE 1995 SESSION OF THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY, introduced by Representative Lyons of the
146th and Senator Fleming of the 8th.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Madam
President, I move adoption of the resolution and ask
that it's reading be waived. It's self-explanatory.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you.
The question is on adoption.
All those in favor indicate by saying Aye.
VOICES:
Aye.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Those opposed Nay?
The resolution is adopted.
Mr. Clerk, is there further business?
CLERK:
Madam President, the Clerk is in possession of
House Joint Resolution No. 3, RESOLUTION RAISING A
COMMITTEE TO WAIT UPON THE RETIRING GOVERNOR TO
ASCERTAIN WHETHER HE HAS ANY FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS TO
MAKE TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, offered by Representative
Lyons of the 146th and Senator Fleming of the 8th.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. I move adoption
of the resolution and request that its reading be
waived as it's self-explanatory.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator.
The question is on adoption. Will you remark?
If not, all those in favor indicate by saying Aye.
VOICES:
Aye.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Those opposed Nay?
The Ayes have it. The resolution is adopted.
Mr. Clerk?
CLERK:
The Clerk is in possession of House Joint
Resolution No. 4, RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SYMPATHY ON THE
DEATH OF R.E. VAN NORSTRAND, introduced by
Representative Ritter, Representative Lyons,
Representative Ward, Senator Eads, Senator Fleming,
Senator DiBella and Senator Genuario.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Madam President, I would move adoption of
the resolution and ask that the Clerk please read the
resolution.
CLERK:
Resolved by this assembly, whereas, R.E. Van
Norstrand of Darien, Connecticut passed away on January
1, 1995, and whereas, R.E. Van Norstrand served the
people of Darien as a member of the Darien
Representative Town meeting, as a Selectman and as a
member of the Darien Sewer Advisory Commission; and
whereas, R.E. Van Norstrand was elected to
Connecticut's House of Representatives in 1976, serving
the people of the 141st Assembly District for twelve
years; and whereas, R.E. Van Norstrand served the
Connecticut House of Representatives as a member of the
Committees on Legislative Management, Regulation
Review, Executive and Legislative Nominations, Finance,
Revenue and Bonding and Transportation;
And whereas, R.E. Van Norstrand served the
Connecticut House of Representatives as the Minority
Leader from 1979 through 1984; and whereas, R.E. Van
Norstrand was elected by the members of the Connecticut
House of Representatives to serve as Speaker of the
Connecticut House of Representatives; and whereas, upon
his retirement from the Connecticut House of
Representatives, R.E. Van Norstrand was appointed as
Chairman of the Connecticut Ethics Commission, where he
continued his service to the state of Connecticut;
And whereas, his dedication to his community was
further evidence by his service as a member of the
Board of Stewards of the First Congregational Church of
Darien, as a member of the Board of Trustees of the
Darien Library, a Director of the Darien Chamber of
Commerce and as a member of the Darien/Stamford Bar
Association and the Connecticut Bar Association,
serving as Chairman of the Committee on Professional
Ethics;
And whereas, he is survived by his wife, Loretta,
his three children, R.E. Van Norstrand, III, Brooke Van
Norstrand and Merrylea Van Norstrand, as well as his
step-daughters, Kristin Fresch and Sara Faye Story.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the
Connecticut General Assembly does hereby express its
sincere and heartfelt condolences on the passing of one
of its most honorable former members and former Speaker
of the House of Representatives, R.E. Van Norstrand,
whose death is a profound loss to the people of Darien
and of the state of Connecticut;
And be it further resolved that a copy of this
resolution shall be presented to the family of R.E. Van
Norstrand as an expression of the high esteem in which
he was held.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Will you remark?
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes, Madam President.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Madam President, I had the pleasure and the
honor to serve with Van, as we called him, in the House
of Representatives when I was first elected to the
House 14 years ago. Van was, as the resolution
indicates, was first elected in 1976 and became Speaker
the last time the Republicans controlled the House of
Representatives.
He was a man that I always knew who had a very
keen wit. Some people might have said it was dry. He
had tremendous abilities as a legislator, as a
negotiator. He was a good friend.
Over the past couple of weeks, we have put
together our own caucus. I thought back on some of the
times that I gave R.E. Van Norstrand a hard time
because I didn't get the committee assignment that I
wanted. And I think I have a little bit better
understanding as to how difficult that might have been
for him.
But he was a very good man. I enjoyed my service
with him. The state of Connecticut really owes him a
lot.
And if there are other questions or other comments
that individuals would like to make around the Circle,
I will yield for that purpose. But I would like to ask
that when this resolution is adopted, Madam President,
it be adopted by a standing moment of silence.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Will you remark further?
Senator Eads?
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you, Madam President.
I go back a little bit further than the Majority
Leader. Van and I came in in '76 and we were squeezed
into a little room and Van was on one side of me and
Puglise was on the other. And we shared one telephone.
And it was just one desk right after the other.
I've got to tell you. He was a gentleman
personified. If we worked until 1:00 or 2:00 in the
morning or late and he thought it was and I had a
parking space on the north side of the Capitol, Van
would always look to me and say, "I'm going to walk you
to your car." And that he did.
He was an intelligent individual. He was a very
caring individual. There were people that felt he was
not. But deep down he had the biggest heart that I
have ever known. And he's going to be greatly missed.
And certainly my sympathy and my affection go out to
his family, his wife and all his children.
Thank you.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator Eads.
Will you remark further?
Senator Genuario.
SENATOR GENUARIO:
Yes, if I may, Madam President. I did not serve
in the General Assembly during the same time that Van
served in the General Assembly. But I've come to know
him on several -- as a result of several things. One
is that we represent -- both of us have had the
privilege of representing the good people of the Town
of Darien. And I can tell you that Van is extremely
well-respected in the Town of Darien for both his sharp
intellect, his dogged determination, his hard work.
Everyone back home knows just how much time and how
much of himself he put into his service in the General
Assembly.
He will be greatly missed. And I join in this
resolution.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator.
Will you remark further?
SENATOR LOONEY:
Madam President?
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Looney.
SENATOR LOONEY:
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I
had the honor of entering the House of Representatives
in 1981, the same year that Senator Fleming did. So I
had the honor of serving with Van during those eight
years and had the opportunity as a member from the
other side of the aisle to admire him greatly as
someone who was an extraordinary floor debater. In his
years as Minority Leader, he served a terrific function
in improving legislation by the probity of his
questions of the Majority Party Chairman as they
brought out bills. It was an extraordinary role that
he played and he was -- I know of no one who ever did
it, in the House in the years I was there, better than
he did. And he did it with a view to making the
legislation as good and complete and as thorough as it
possibly could be.
And then when he was Speaker in 1985 and 1986, he
was extraordinarily honorable, fair-minded and did the
kind of job that everyone expected of him from the
quality of his years of service prior to that as
Minority Leader.
So he is a great, great loss to the state of
Connecticut and someone whose service in the General
Assembly should be remembered forever by those of us
who had the honor of serving with him.
Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator Looney.
Will you remark further?
Senator Crisco.
SENATOR CRISCO:
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I
first got to know Representative Van Norstrand in 1976
when I started my career with United Technologies and
over the years we became friends. And I just want to
associate myself with the remarks that were made around
the Circle.
I found him to be an outstanding gentleman and a
fine human being and an individual who will be greatly
missed.
Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator Crisco.
Will you remark further? Will you remark?
If not, I'd ask the members to please rise and
observe a moment of silence.
(Moment of silence)
PRESIDENT RELL:
The resolution is adopted.
Pursuant to Joint Rule -- excuse me -- Senate Rule
3 of the House Joint Resolution, the Chair appoints
Senator Scarpetti, Senator Nickerson and Senator
Sullivan.
Mr. Clerk, is there further business on the
Clerk's desk?
CLERK:
I think Senator Freedman --
SENATOR FREEDMAN:
Madam President?
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Freedman.
SENATOR FREEDMAN:
Point of personal privilege please?
PRESIDENT RELL:
Yes.
SENATOR FREEDMAN:
Earlier I introduced my husband. He wasn't here.
But he is now, so I'd like to take the opportunity to
introduce my husband, Judge Samuel S. Freedman. And
let's welcome him.
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator Freedman.
Are there additional points of personal privilege?
Senator Genuario.
SENATOR GENUARIO:
Yes, Madam President. For purposes of an
announcement, the Appropriations Committee will hold
its organizational meeting on Tuesday at 11:00 in Room
2-C.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator.
Senator Cook.
SENATOR COOK:
Point of personal privilege please?
PRESIDENT RELL:
Please proceed.
SENATOR COOK:
Thank you, Madam President. For purposes of
announcement, the Environment Committee will hold its
organizational meeting on Friday at 1:30 in Room 1-D of
the Legislative Office Building and there will be a
Republican caucus of the Environment Committee members
at 2:00 in the same room. Thank you.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Are there any other announcements or points?
Senator Upson?
SENATOR UPSON:
Yes, Madam President. The Judiciary Committee
will have an organizational meeting at 2:30 on Friday
in 2-C. Thank you.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you.
Senator Nickerson.
SENATOR NICKERSON:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. The Finance
Committee will have its organizational meeting on
Monday, January 9, at 10:30, I believe in Room 2-B.
It's in the Bulletin. Thank you.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator.
Senator Gunther.
SENATOR GUNTHER:
Madam Chairman?
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator?
SENATOR GUNTHER:
Madam President. I keep calling the Lieutenant
Governor Chairman. I'll try not to make that mistake
with you. I think it was a Freudian slip with the
previous one.
Public Health will have their organizational
meeting on the 10th -- that's next Tuesday -- at 10:00
in the morning in Room 1-D. It has not appeared in the
Bulletin yet.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator.
Senator Aniskovich.
SENATOR ANISKOVICH:
Thank you, Madam President. The Transportation
Committee will have its organizational meeting on
Friday at 10:30 in Room -- 9:30. I'm sorry. In Room
2-B, with a Republican caucus to follow. Thank you.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator Aniskovich.
Are there additional points of personal privilege
or announcements?
Senator?
SENATOR GUGLIELMO:
Yes. Madam President, I'd like to announce that
the Labor Committee will be meeting Tuesday at 10:00
A.M. We'll have to determine a place and we'll call
you on that. And, also, Commerce Committee, Monday at
3:00 P.M. We'll do the same as to location. We
haven't established that yet. But we'll get in touch
with them by phone. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator Guglielmo.
Senator Scarpetti.
SENATOR SCARPETTI:
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, the
Public Safety Committee will be having a meeting
Tuesday morning at 10:00, time, a place to be
designated and they'll be notified. Thank you.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator Scarpetti.
Senator Kissel.
SENATOR KISSEL:
Thank you, Madam President. And, again, for
purposes of an announcement, the organizational meeting
of the General Law Committee will also take place on
Tuesday at 11:00 A.M. And I'm not sure of the exact
room. But either consult me or the clerk of the
General Law Committee and we'll get the exact room
down. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you.
Additional points?
Senator Eads.
SENATOR EADS:
Thank you, Madam President. It is my privilege to
introduce Special -- if I had my glasses on -- and I
apologize -- Assistant to the Director General from
Taiwan, Victor Hu. If he's here, could we all give him
a nice rousing --
APPLAUSE
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you.
And welcome, sir.
Are there additional points of personal privilege
or announcements?
Mr. Clerk, is there business?
CLERK:
Nothing on the Clerk's desk.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you.
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Madam
President, just so that the members are aware, it is
possible that the Senate will be in session next
Wednesday in the afternoon. Also for the benefit of
the members, we will, as it seems to be tradition in
the chamber, try to meet on Wednesdays until we get a
little bit busier.
And with that, Madam President, I would -- oh.
I'm sorry. I would yield to Senator Sullivan.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Senator Sullivan, will you accept the yield?
SENATOR SULLIVAN:
Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Senator
Fleming.
Just by way of warning to the members of the
Democratic caucus, on the basis of the prospects of
returning next Wednesday, we would appreciate you being
aware of the probability of a caucus either Tuesday
evening or Wednesday morning subject to determination
of when the session will be called.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Thank you, Senator.
Senator Fleming.
SENATOR FLEMING:
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. With that, I
would move that the Senate stand adjourned subject to
the call of the Chair.
PRESIDENT RELL:
Without objection, so ordered. The Senate stands
adjourned.
On motion of Senator Fleming of the 8th, the
Senate at 4:55 P.M. adjourned subject to the call of
the Chair.
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