[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 95 (Friday, June 28, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ANN DeMATTEO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 2013

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today 
to take a moment to pay tribute to a very special member of the Greater 
New Haven community, Ann DeMatteo, who was taken from us much too soon 
when she lost her battle with breast cancer. Daughter, sister, aunt, 
colleague, mentor, and friend, Ann was a remarkable woman whose 
passion, good nature, and infectious laugh touched the lives of many 
and will long be remembered by all of those fortunate enough to have 
known her.
  Ann was a journalist spending the majority of her career as a 
reporter for the New Haven Register but also serving as the editor of 
the Middletown Press during the last years of her life. Anyone who has 
ever worked with Ann or been interviewed by her will tell you that no 
one knew more about the towns or issues they covered than she did. She 
delved into any story she was covering and served as a mentor to many 
up-and-coming reporters at the New Haven Register. Tough, but fair, Ann 
earned a distinguished reputation among her colleagues and in the 
community.
  When Ann was diagnosed with breast cancer, she did what she did 
best--shared the story. The result was her column, ``Inspirations,'' 
which she continued until the very end. She not only wrote about her 
own battle but shared the stories of others as well. Ann did not just 
write about breast cancer, she was actively involved in the fight to 
find a cure. She assisted local charities, serving as honorary 
chairwoman of the annual Silver Bullets Hamden Police Benefit game as 
well as Hamden Lights for Life, raising thousands of dollars for much 
needed research. She was named the New Haven Register's ``Person of the 
Year'' in 2008 and I was honored to join the National Organization of 
Italian American Women in recognizing her as one of the 2012 Wise 
Women.
  Her friends and family will tell you that as dedicated as she was to 
her professional and charitable work, Ann was also known as the life of 
the party. She loved karaoke and was always ready to dance. But it is 
her compassion, generosity, and kind heart that they will remember 
most. Her friend and colleague, Helen Bennett Harvey may have put it 
best when she recently said of Ann, ``In the end, what she gave so many 
of us also was an example of true grace under fire. Cancer took Ann's 
body, but it did not take the beauty and love that emanated from within 
her.''
  As I stand today to pay tribute to Ann DeMatteo and honor her legacy, 
I extend my heartfelt sympathies to her family--her mother, Ann; her 
brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Patricia; her nephew and godson, 
John; and her niece, Rebecca. Put simply, Ann was one of a kind and her 
presence in our lives will be deeply missed, however, the indelible 
mark that she left on our community and on our souls will continue to 
inspire us every day.

                          ____________________