[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 96 (Thursday, June 26, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING TED CONNORS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEB BRADLEY

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 2003

  Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ted 
Connors upon his retirement from the position of Executive Director of 
the Portsmouth Housing Authority after 35 years of service.
  The son of the city's first night-shift police officer, Ted Connors 
grew up in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, known as ``the City of the Open 
Door''. Ted witnessed Portsmouth change over the years from a rough-
and-tumble military town into the tourist and business center it is 
today. This native brought a valuable hometown boy's point of view to 
his position.
  Ted displayed an inspirational devotion to improving the quality of 
life for residents in his hometown. His top priority was to expand 
work-force housing in the region in support of the growing number of 
local employees being driven out of the city due to increasing housing 
costs. His commendable efforts led to a significant increase in the 
number of subsidized apartments, from 200 to 1,200.
  In addition to subsidized housing, Ted instigated numerous other 
services for the city of Portsmouth. He developed a transportation 
system that supplies 120,000 rides a year for elderly persons needing 
to travel to medical appointments, various shopping complexes, or 
centers for meals. Ted also oversaw the development and completion of a 
new Senior Citizen's Center in October 2000, which offers various 
programs such as basic health care, transportation, daily lunches and 
social activities.
  Without Ted's commitment to improving the quality of life for its 
residents, Portsmouth would not be the city it is today. His efforts to 
make New Hampshire a better place have made a lasting impact on the 
people that know him and know of him. Even Ted's successor has admitted 
that no one can truly fill the retiring director's shoes. Portsmouth 
and the state of New Hampshire are fortunate to have dedicated 
individuals like Ted working to make this city and this state a great 
place to live.

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