[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 189 (Tuesday, November 26, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1513-E1514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF LINDA ORANGE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 26, 2019

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to observe and mourn the 
passing of long-time Connecticut State Representative Linda Orange who 
passed away on November 20, 2019 after a difficult battle with 
pancreatic cancer that she met with bravery and grace, which 
characterized her overall approach to the challenges and vagaries of 
her life.
  At the time of her passing, Linda was in her 23rd year of service as 
a state representative in a district that she shared with me in eastern 
Connecticut. I can personally attest to her unstinting focus on 
advocating for her constituency in ways both big and small. Whether it 
was her committee work, work on the House floor where she rose to the 
position of Deputy Speaker, or taking a call from a constituent at any 
time of day, she kept complete and total fidelity to the people who 
sent her to the State Capitol in Hartford.
  I had the privilege to see Linda at work at another time in her life, 
when she worked in my Committee room during part of the time I served 
at the State Capitol from 1991-1994. She clerked for me and my 
colleague then State Senator Ken Prysbyz when we co-chaired the Joint 
Committees on Human Services and Public Health. The two of us were a 
handful for Linda, partly because of the volume of the bills that 
passed through our doors, but also because the sometimes frenetic pace 
that could make it a real pressure cooker. To say that we tested her 
patience at times is an understatement. Her natural good humor and 
kindness always overcame any

[[Page E1514]]

drama, though, and after I left the State Capitol she, Ken, and I 
always had a lot of laughs reminiscing about that fun time in our 
lives.
  The other special view I had of Linda was through the eyes of my 
former District Director, the late Jenny Contois, who was Linda's 
closest friend. Jenny was First Selectwoman in their hometown of 
Colchester for 15 years before taking the helm at my district office. 
The two of them were inseparable and were so close they could 
practically finish each other's sentences. Some of their friends 
nicknamed them ``Laverne and Shirley'' since the non-stop banter they 
engaged in when they were together resembled the memorable comedy duo 
of sitcom fame. During election season, when Linda and I shared 
campaign headquarters, Jenny and Linda would hold court in front of the 
staff and volunteers, always with lots of snacks, drinks, and many 
times even full meals. It gave the headquarters a special feel that 
kept morale high which translated into a lot of happy successful 
Election nights. Jenny sadly passed away four years ago, which was a 
terrible loss for many, many fellow public officials and townspeople, 
but it was extremely hard for Linda. At a difficult time like this, it 
is maybe some small consolation to think that Linda and Jenny are 
together again, looking down on us all, with lots of new funny banter 
commenting on all of us who knew them.
  Madam Speaker, I would ask the entire body to join me in expressing 
our deepest condolences to Linda's husband Dennis, and her entire 
family for their loss and salute her inspirational example of a life 
week lived in the service of others. I include in the Record the text 
of her obituary, which perfectly captures her life and legacy.

       CT State Representative Linda Ann (Smith) Orange, 69, of 
     Colchester, passed away peacefully at Middlesex Hospital, 
     surrounded by her loving husband, sons, family, and friends, 
     on November 20, 2019 after a sudden and courageous battle 
     with pancreatic cancer. During this time, she continued to 
     put family, friends and community first. Linda's grace and 
     courage never faltered. Linda and her family are grateful for 
     the outpouring of well wishes that brought her joy and 
     smiles. She never lost her sparkle.
       She was born in Hartford, CT on September 25, 1950 to the 
     late Arthur L. and Anna (Gemeasky) Smith. Linda grew up in 
     Marlborough and attended RHAM High School, became a 
     respiratory therapist, and had a distinctive public service 
     career. Linda was very dedicated to her two sons and always 
     active in their lives, especially as they were growing up. 
     She was very active in their schools, Boys Scouts, baseball 
     games and as a second grade catechism teacher. She served as 
     a member and chair of the Colchester Board of Assessment 
     Appeals, the Colchester Police Commission, the East Haddam 
     Historical Society, and as a corporator of William W. Backus 
     Hospital. She also was an honorary member of the Colchester 
     Hayward Volunteer Fire Company and a Major in the Connecticut 
     Civil Air Patrol, Legislative Wing. Linda was an enthusiastic 
     member of the Colchester Democratic Town Committee and the 
     Colchester Democratic Women's Club which led to her eventual 
     career at the State Capitol.
       In 1991, she became assistant clerk of the Human Services 
     Committee and later became clerk of the Public Health 
     Committee. She made many friends and learned the working of 
     the legislature so well that she ran as a candidate for State 
     Representative of the 48th District in 1996. She went on to 
     serve twelve terms in Hartford, becoming one of the longest 
     serving members at twenty-three years.
       The interests of her constituents were always her priority 
     without regard for political labels. As a legislator, Linda 
     served on many committees and currently was a member of 
     Legislative Management, General Law and the Public Safety and 
     Security Committee. She became a knowledgeable authority on 
     public safety issues and the legislature's chief advocate for 
     work of first responders--police, fire fighters, emergency 
     medical personnel, dispatchers and others. Linda also was 
     Deputy Speaker and often presided over the House of 
     Representatives controlling the process by recognizing 
     members wishing to speak, putting all questions to a vote, 
     and directing the business of the legislature. While 
     presiding, her charming personality, ability to add a quip or 
     joke, and her booming voice endeared her to all her 
     colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
       The staff at the Capitol, the Senators and Representatives, 
     and all those associated with the Connecticut General 
     Assembly will remember Linda for being such a kind and warm-
     hearted person, friendly to everyone, and always ready for a 
     good laugh at herself or playing a joke on others. Over the 
     years, Linda was recognized by many organizations too 
     numerous to mention all. She humbly accepted such honors and 
     was grateful to those who appreciated her work.
       Some of her distinctions included awards from the 
     Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association, the Coalition 
     of Connecticut Sportsmen, UCONN Advocates, the Middlesex 
     County and New London County Medical Associations, the 
     Connecticut State Fire Fighters Association, the Connecticut 
     Council of Police Unions, the National Guard Association, the 
     Eastern Connecticut EMS Council, Leukemia and Lymphoma 
     Society and the Association of Connecticut Ambulance 
     Providers. Recently, the charter of the Uniformed 
     Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut was 
     changed to make Linda the only life-time honorary member.
       Linda was known to end her many encounters on the phone and 
     in person with: ``Bye, Bye, Now!'' Her spirit will live on 
     with her many friends, using this phrase to remember her 
     extraordinary life.
       Linda is survived by her husband of 43 years, Dennis 
     Orange, Sr.; her son Patrick Orange and his partner Jennifer 
     Nadeau; step-son Dennis Orange, Jr., all of Colchester; step-
     daughters, Denise and Darleen O'Neal of Arkansas; her 
     beautiful grand-daughter, Dezarae Ann Orange, whose love is 
     everlasting; brothers, Brian and his wife Linda Smith, of 
     Marlborough, George and his wife Phyllis, of Windham, ME; 
     god-daughter, Lorna Smith, of Marlborough; sisters-in-law, 
     Genevieve Lescoe, of Meriden, and Marion Coriaty, of 
     Willimantic; many extended family members; and a host of 
     amazing long-time friends. In addition to her parents, Linda 
     was predeceased by her son, Matthew Orange who passed away in 
     2018 of pancreatic cancer, her brother Bruce Smith, parents-
     in-law William and Rose Orange, brother-in-law Henry Coriaty, 
     and her sister-in-law Rosemarie Hart.

                          ____________________