[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1507-E1508]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               DeLAURO HONORS VINCENT CHASE OF STRATFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 4, 1996

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, September 6, 1996, State 
Representative Vincent Chase will be honored with a dinner-roast. 
Representative Chase has served in the Connecticut State Legislature 
for 16 years and recently announced that he will not be seeking 
reelection. It is my great pleasure to rise today to pay tribute to 
Vinnie and to congratulate and thank him for him many years of public 
service.

[[Page E1508]]

  Vinnie was first elected to the general assembly in 1980 to represent 
the 120th District in Stratford. In the following years, he went on to 
become one of the highest ranking leaders of the House of 
Representatives. After the 1990 election he was appointed as an 
assistant house minority leader and for the 1995 and 1996 sessions, he 
served as deputy house minority leader. During his tenure in the 
legislature, Vinnie developed a reputation for consistency and 
thoroughness. His ability to master details led to his appointment to 
serve as cochair of the regulation review committee. In addition, he 
served as dean of the insurance and real estate committee and also 
served on the executive and legislative nominations committee and the 
joint committee on legislative management.
  Vinnie's experience and skill as a legislator led to several 
initiatives of which he is particularly proud. He has worked on 
legislation dealing with health and auto insurance reform, welfare 
reform, and the protection of Long Island Sound. In 1996 he cosponsored 
legislation which resulted in the removal of tolls from Interstate 95 
and the Marritt and Wilbur Cross parkways and the largest tax cut in 
Connecticut history. These successes underscore the need for 
legislators that bring a sense of personal and moral responsibility to 
politics. For 16 years, Vinnie never forgot the reason he went to 
Hartford: to serve. He has remained a consistent champion for his 
constituents and a true public servant. He has said,

       The greatest honor of my years of service has not been the 
     awards or plaques that I have received from various groups, 
     but the simple ``thank you'' from a constituent I was able to 
     assist. For that is what public service is all about, helping 
     people.

  Throughout his legislative career, Vincent has brought common sense 
and concern for people to the general assembly. His contributions and 
efforts will be greatly missed. I have long relied on Vinnie's hard-won 
wisdom and insightful advice. We have worked together to protect 
Stratford's environment and to fight for job's for Statford's citizens. 
I will continue to seek his counsel as long as I am in Congress. It is 
my pleasure to join Vincent's family friends, and citizens of the town 
of Stratford in wishing him well as he leaves the State house of 
representatives and begins a new chapter in his life.

                          ____________________