[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 86 (Thursday, May 24, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S6839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JOEL COGEN

 Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, those of us who hold elected 
office are accustomed to getting the recognition and praise that comes 
with a career in public service. However, I think all of us would also 
recognize that there are many equally dedicated public servants who 
work behind the scenes and are just as deserving of the public's 
gratitude and recognition. I rise today to honor one such public 
servant.
  In June, Joel Cogen, the executive director and general counsel of 
the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, will retire after 41 
years at CCM. Mr. Cogen's retirement marks the end of a highly 
distinguished career in public service, one in which he became a 
fixture in Connecticut politics.
  Mr. Cogen has been with CCM since its inception in 1966 and has been 
its executive director since 1968. With Mr. Cogen at the helm, CCM, an 
organization dedicated to both advocating for the interests of 
Connecticut municipal governments and promoting efficiency and 
responsiveness within municipal government, has grown in both size and 
influence to the point where it is now the dominant voice for 
Connecticut's cities and towns. In addition to its advocacy work, CCM 
has also provided its member municipalities with numerous services, 
including management assistance, individualized inquiry service, 
assistance in municipal labor relations, technical assistance and 
training, policy development, research and analysis, publications, 
information programs, and service programs such as workers' 
compensation. These services, provided under Mr. Cogen's leadership, 
have helped to greatly increase the level of service the people of 
Connecticut receive from their local officials.
  In addition, Mr. Cogen also serves as corporate executive officer of 
CCM's Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency. This agency allows 
CCM's member towns to pool their resources to purchase services, such 
as workers' compensation insurance, that many towns might otherwise 
find too expensive.
  Before his tenure at CCM, Mr. Cogen held numerous other public 
service positions. He worked for 9 years at the New Haven Redevelopment 
Agency, while at the same time working as an assistant for then-mayor 
Richard C. Lee. Before that, he worked for the Ansonia Redevelopment 
Agency, the New York State Mediation Board, and the U.S. Wage 
Stabilization Board. He also brought his skills to the U.S. Army, 
where, as an officer for 2 years, he handled various management 
assignments.
  Given all of these accomplishments, I cannot help but think of Mr. 
Cogen's retirement in bittersweet terms. While I am certainly happy for 
him and wish him all the best, I cannot help but think about what a 
loss it will be for Connecticut when he steps down. I am sure, however, 
that his dedication to the State will live on in all who know him and 
worked with him and that we will be left in good hands.
  Thank you, Joel Cogen. Connecticut is a better place because of you 
and all you have done.

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