[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 154 (Thursday, October 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2608-E2609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING ALAN H. JEPSON ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 22, 2009

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I could not be more pleased than to have 
this opportunity to rise today to pay tribute to a dear friend and 
outstanding member of the Milford community, Alan H. Jepson. I am proud 
to join family, friends, colleagues, and community leaders in thanking 
him for his many years of dedication and commitment as he celebrates 
his retirement from public life. It is difficult to put into words what 
Alan means to the Milford community--he is one-of-a-kind.
  Alan is a rare individual who has dedicated a lifetime to public 
service. He bravely left high school after just three years to join the 
Navy during World War II and proudly served for two years, eight 
months, and twenty-four days. Upon his return from military service, he 
went back to high school, earned his diploma, and completed his college 
degree under the original GI Bill--in just three years, eight months, 
and twenty-four days. His first professional experience was as the 
Director of the Junior Achievement Program in Lynn and Salem, 
Massachusetts. It was this calling that brought him back to Connecticut 
in 1956 when he became Director of Junior Achievement for the City of 
New Haven. Moving his family to Milford, Connecticut, it was shortly 
later that Alan would begin his more than forty years in civic service.
  In 1960 Alan was appointed as the Director of the Citizens' Action 
Commission where he worked with the City of New Haven in connection 
with the federal requirement of urban renewal. It was through this work 
that his interest in government, politics and eventually elected office 
was sparked. In 1962 he found himself chairing a charter revision 
commission for the City of Milford which required that he work with 
both Democrats and Republicans to accomplish. Just a year later he ran 
and was

[[Page E2609]]

elected Mayor of Milford--a post which he held for six years. Today, 
Alan is retiring after serving seven terms as the Town City Clerk--an 
elected office for which it is said he now runs unopposed out of sheer 
respect and the knowledge that no one else can truly compete. His years 
of service to the City of Milford have earned him the respect, 
admiration, and esteem of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
  Alan's commitment to civic service extends far beyond his 
professional contributions. He has volunteered countless hours to 
innumerable service organizations. Alan is the former president of the 
Milford Rotary, has served as a United Way campaign worker as well as 
on the board of directors of the local Red Cross, and is a former First 
President of Milford Progress, Inc. Alan was also very involved with 
the local Boy Scouts where he served as a Volunteer Merit Badge 
Counselor and instituted Boy Scout Civic Day and Girl Scout Civic Day 
to promote civic pride and government studies. Alan can also be found 
giving his words of wisdom as ``Uncle Sam'' at the annual ``Let Freedom 
Ring'' bell ceremony on July 4th and volunteer reading at Milford 
public schools. And the list goes on. Alan Jepson is a reflection of 
all that we hope and expect community leaders to be. The City of 
Milford would not be the same without him so it was a fitting tribute 
when he was officially named and honored as a ``living treasure.'' 
Alan's retirement marks the end of an era for the Milford community.
  I am so proud to call Alan my friend. He and his late wife, Betty--a 
remarkable woman herself, welcomed me to their community with open arms 
and I will forever be grateful for their many years of special 
friendship and support. It is my privilege to stand today and extend my 
deepest thanks and appreciation to Alan H. Jepson and to wish him, his 
five daughters; Linda, Susan, Margo, Nancy, and Paula, as well as his 
eight grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and three great-
grandchildren all the best for many more years of health and happiness.

                          ____________________