[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 161 (Friday, September 17, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF RALPH MONACO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY-

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 17, 2021

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the Members of the 
House to join me in mourning the passing of Ralph Monaco, a highly 
talented and respected lawyer in the State of Connecticut, a devoted 
husband and father, and all-around outstanding citizen who cared for 
his community and always went above and beyond to help others. We 
tragically lost Ralph on July 10, 2021 at the young age of 54. Ralph 
truly represented the best of eastern Connecticut and was a role model 
to so many in the field of law. His legacy and his leadership in 
private practice and in the public sphere will always be remembered and 
cherished.
  Ralph was born in the Bronx in 1967 and spent most of his adolescence 
in the Big Apple. After exceling in his primary and secondary 
education, he decided to continue his education and attended Fordham 
University. While there--he made the decision that he would pursue a 
career in the field of law and chose to attend Quinnipiac Law School in 
North Haven, Connecticut, where his love for law truly flourished. 
After a successful academic career and graduation from law school in 
1993--Ralph pursued his legal career and ventured to become a trial 
lawyer right here in eastern Connecticut. Through his determination and 
hard work, Ralph ascended in the field and became a partner at a firm 
right here in New London, CT at Conway, Londregan, Sheehan & Monaco 
P.C.
  His passion for the law eventually carried Ralph to becoming an 
active member of the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA). There, through 
his convivial personality and highly ethical and sophisticated 
knowledge of the law, he rose through the ranks and became the 87th and 
youngest President in the history of the CBA by 2010. With the CBA, he 
formed relationships with many public officials and led several 
initiatives within the organization including his activity as the 
founder of the Civics Education Committee and serving as chair of the 
Modernizing Lawyer Referrals & Law Firm Models Subcommittee of the 
State of the Legal Profession Task Force; as well as the legislative 
liaison of the Litigation Section. Moreover--he was a crucial 
contributor to the CBA's Volunteer Attorney Program which grants 
families and individuals in need access to pro-bono legal assistance.
  Ralph's community involvement went far beyond his major contributions 
to the CBA. He served on the Jury Committee of the Chief Justice's 
Public Safety and Trust Commission and was appointed by Connecticut 
Secretary of the State Denise W. Merrill to serve on the Civics 
Commission. He was also an active member of the Connecticut Trial 
Lawyers Association, Connecticut Bar Foundation, and New London County 
Bar Association. Ralph was an individual who gave all his energy to 
supporting the greater good and one cannot quantify all the lives he 
positively impacted with his contributions to our eastern Connecticut 
community through the field of law. We will be forever grateful for 
Ralph's efforts and will work to carry his legacy of compassion.
  Those who had the pleasure of working with Ralph attest to his 
tireless and focused work ethic. Ralph was a gentleman but not stuffy--
he enjoyed a good laugh and was sensitive to anyone he interacted with. 
I had the pleasure to get to him know him during my years in the 
practice of law and as his Congressman. Ralph's sudden and unexpected 
loss has left a void in Eastern Connecticut and the legal community. 
Madam Speaker, to that end, I again ask that my colleagues and this 
Chamber to join me in expressing our deepest respect for Ralph's work 
and life and send our deepest condolences to the Monaco family. Ralph 
is survived by his wife Dina and daughters Abby and Anna--his sister 
Angela--and many other family members and friends who will carry the 
lasting memory of Ralph in their hearts.

                          ____________________