[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING JEANNE MILSTEIN ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM STATE 
                                SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2012

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep thanks and appreciation 
that I rise today to pay tribute to my good friend, Jeanne Milstein, as 
she steps down after serving nearly twelve years as Connecticut's Child 
Advocate where she oversaw the protection and care of Connecticut's 
most vulnerable and youngest citizens.
  First appointed Child Advocate by former Governor John G. Rowland 
and, while the Office of the Child Advocate is an independent agency, 
has been reappointed and served in three different administrations. 
Guided be the simple adage, ``if you are not outraged, you are not 
paying attention,'' Jeanne has been an outstanding advocate and has 
become one of Connecticut's foremost authorities on issues impacting 
children.
  Jeanne has dedicated her entire professional career to advocating for 
our young people--giving a voice to those who all too often cannot be 
heard. In fact, in 2009, she served as the representative from the 
United States at the 2008 Summit of Ombudsmen for Children from G 8 
countries. Prior to her service as Child Advocate, Jeanne was Director 
of Government Relations for the Connecticut Department of Children and 
Families and Legislative Director for the Connecticut Commission on 
Children. Earlier in her career, she was responsible for child care in 
the Connecticut Department of Human Resources and previously served as 
Executive Director of the Women's Center of Southeastern Connecticut 
and Legislative Director of the Permanent Commission of the Status of 
Women.
  With her extraordinary passion and commitment, Jeanne has not only 
identified the failures of state agencies and public policies to care 
for our children, but has authored numerous reports on how to make them 
work for those they are supposed to protect. During her tenure, she 
oversaw the investigation and resolution of thousands of complaints, 
concerns, or reports by citizens about the welfare of children in the 
community and in state or private institutions. She has also spoken 
frequently on many of the most difficult issues facing today's children 
ranging from conditions at the state's juvenile corrections and 
residential facilities to the quality of child protection and the 
delivery of children's mental health services as well as services to 
children with special health care needs or disabilities. Jeanne has 
been a champion in every sense and we have been fortunate to benefit 
from her outstanding service.
  On a more personal note, I am glad to have this opportunity to extend 
my thanks and appreciation to Jeanne for her many years of friendship 
and support. I have often sought her expertise and her door has always 
been open.
  Jeanne was the third person to serve as Child Advocate in Connecticut 
but it can be said that she has helped shape the position into the 
dynamic, respected office that it has become. She leaves a lasting 
legacy that will continue to influence public policy for years to come. 
I am proud to join all of those gathered today to thank Jeanne Milstein 
for her outstanding service to our state and especially our children. I 
have no doubt that though she is closing this chapter, she will find 
new opportunities to continue her good work.

                          ____________________