[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING LAURIE SULLIVAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 27, 2008

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
sadness over the untimely passing of Laurie D. Sullivan due to breast 
cancer. Laurie was a successful female entrepreneur in the world of 
advocacy. More importantly, she is remembered for her love of life, 
family, friends, colleagues, and politics. I am grateful for our 
friendship and the laughs that we shared.
  Laurie grew up in a union household in Connecticut, where her 
political roots took hold. She was a Democratic activist during high 
school and college. She represented Connecticut as a delegate to the 
Democratic National Convention in 1972, serving as the youngest 
delegate ever at that time. She received her education at the 
University of Connecticut School of Law with highest honors. Laurie 
spent a decade doing legal and government relations work at Aetna's 
corporate headquarters in Connecticut. During this time, she cultivated 
strong ties to the Connecticut delegation in Congress.
  Laurie built her influence through a long history of Democratic Party 
activism, in Washington, DC, as well as Connecticut. After moving from 
Connecticut to Washington, DC, she first co-founded Sullivan & Baldick, 
and then separated from that firm in 2002 to found Avenue Solutions, a 
small and successful all-female, all-Democratic firm that specializes 
in health and financial services lobbying. Avenue Solutions is notable 
for its individual attention and service given to clients. On behalf of 
those clients, Laurie played a leading role with Democrats on numerous 
legislative issues, including healthcare reform, Medicare expansion, 
legal reform, pension relief, and telecommunications.
  Today I rise to pay tribute to Laurie Sullivan's outstanding career 
and life achievements. Laurie combined her commitment to political and 
legislative advocacy with a love of life and dedication to her family 
throughout her courageous battle with cancer. She lived by her words, 
``It is the quality of life, not the quantity.'' She will be dearly 
missed for her candor, devotion, and her ability to step back, take a 
deep breath and smile.

                          ____________________