[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 18, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1029-E1030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN MEMORY OF CHESTER ``CHET'' MORGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2018

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a man 
I have been fortunate enough to call neighbor and friend. Chester 
``Chet'' Morgan, of Vernon, Connecticut, left this earth on Saturday 
after a lifetime of service to his community, his state and his nation. 
I'd like to take a few moments to reflect on his generosity and 
service.
  Born in Manchester, CT, Chet Morgan's selfless life was inspired by 
President John F. Kennedy's 1961 inaugural call to action in which he 
asked not what our country could do for us, but what we could do for 
our country. For not only his country, but also his state, town and 
family, Chet did a great many good works.
  In addition to his career with the Connecticut Department of 
Transportation, Chet served as a sergeant major in the 169th Infantry 
Battalion of the Connecticut National Guard for 30 years. He spent 
several of those years as his unit's First Sergeant at Connecticut's 
National Guard headquarters in Hartford and retired at the rank of 
sergeant major. It seems this line of work was Chet's true vocation and 
in 2017 he was inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame for 
his years of service in and outside of the Guard.
  Chet felt loyalty not only to his country, but to his state. In 1976 
he was elected to the

[[Page E1030]]

Connecticut State Legislature as the representative from the 56th 
district, his hometown of Vernon. He served until 1983 and the 
highlights of his tenure include supporting important legislation that 
provided a greater quality of life for Connecticut's citizenry through 
improvements like smoke-free restaurants and free tuition for 
Connecticut National Guardsman attending state colleges and 
universities.
  Chet was also a staunch advocate for working families during his time 
in the legislature. In the 1960s he was a member of the International 
Association of Machinists while employed at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. 
He was a courageous leader in a difficult strike in that era, and he 
and his closest friend, Chuck Harlow, manned the picket lines at the 
height of the struggles. He enjoyed telling those stories in the later 
years, particularly after Chuck passed away suddenly in the 1980s.
  In 1986 when I launched my first campaign for the legislative seat 
Chet had held earlier, he generously helped me win that race, which I 
will never forget. Later as a candidate for the Second Congressional 
District, Chet volunteered to drive me to political events and offered 
valuable counsel during the long hours we spent together on the road.
  Chet was also very involved in local government and community 
organizations. He served four terms on the Vernon Town Council and was 
chairman of the Vernon Planning and Zoning Committee in 2011 and 2012. 
He was actively involved in the Connecticut State Employees Association 
Local 2001, the Rockville American Legion Post 14, and the Rockville 
Lodge of Elks No. 1359, where he was recognized as Veteran Volunteer of 
the Year by the Elks National Veterans Service Commission.
  And while I'm sure this comes as a surprise to no one, Chet was a 
model family man. He and his wife Sylvia celebrated their 60th wedding 
anniversary last year. Together they raised three children, Kevin, 
Daniel and Laura Beth who collectively gifted them with 16 
grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It's clear Chet impressed the 
importance of service upon his children and grandchildren, as several 
of them have followed in his footsteps of service to this country.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in honoring Chet 
Morgan, a man to whom we can all look as a model of leadership and 
service. Chet's loss will be felt for years to come but his legacy will 
endure for much longer.

                          ____________________