[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 25, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E578]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF DOROTHY ANN MROWKA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 25, 2021

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise 
today to honor the life of the late Dorothy Ann Mrowka, of Colchester, 
Connecticut, who passed away at her home on April 29, 2021 at the age 
of 78. Known by everyone as Dot, her involvement in the civic and 
cultural communities of eastern Connecticut made her beloved by many.
  Born in New London, CT on October 13, 1942, Dot spent her entire life 
in eastern Connecticut. Committed to education, she earned a Masters 
degree in Business Administration which lead to a successful career as 
a computer programmer at AETNA insurance. She moved to Colchester in 
1973 and then married her beloved husband Lucien Mrowka a short time 
later. They were married for 38 years before he sadly predeceased her 
in 2012.
  Truly, there is not an organization in Colchester that has not been 
touched by Dot. She was a devout parishioner at St. Andrews Church 
serving on the Ladies Guild and the First Friday Rosary Guild. Dot was 
an active member of both the St. Joseph's Polish Society and Colchester 
Grange No. 78. She was very involved with the Colchester Democratic 
Town Committee, and the Federation of Democratic Women. She was the 
recipient of the Ella Grasso award by Connecticut Democrats not once, 
but twice and selected to serve on the Democratic State Central 
Committee. Her service to the community did not stop there. Dot was a 
fierce defender of a free and fair election and served Colchester 
residents as the Registrar of Voter for 25 years. Many happy marriages 
began with her proclamation of ``I now pronounce you husband and wife'' 
as she served as a Justice of the Peace. Her selfless service to her 
community is unparalleled.
  I met Dot early in my career in Congress, and her friendship over the 
years has been invaluable. There are few in this district that knew 
their community as well as Dot did. She was a tireless campaign 
volunteer who never shied away from all the ``nuts and bolts'' of 
organizing a headquarters, leading phone banks, lit drops or election 
day logistics. The election eve ``get out the vote'' spaghetti supper 
at the Colchester Polish Club was a must stop for Democratic candidates 
at every level--including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2006. The void 
her passing leaves is unmeasurable. I know her memory will continue 
through her family--her son Jeffrey Watson; her daughter, Tammy and her 
husband Ricky Keller; her brother Joseph Ploszaj; her sisters Peggy 
Fedus and Mary Lou Johnson, and her two beloved grandchildren Tyler 
Kelly and Taylor Watson.
  Madam Speaker, it is an honor to represent constituents as honorable 
and impactful as Dot. While we all mourn her loss, we can at least find 
solace that her story, memory, and purpose lives on in through 
countless others. I find it fitting that we, the People's House, add 
her name and character into the Congressional Record and ask that the 
entire House join me in recognizing the life of Dorothy Ann Mrowka, 
never forgetting the importance of building our connections with 
others.

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