[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 113 (Monday, July 11, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





              RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF STEVEN MATTSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 11, 2022

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement 
of a longtime public servant, Steven Mattson of Lyme, Connecticut. 
Steven officially retired from his role as First Selectman of Lyme on 
July 5, 2022, given the end of the town's fiscal year. Initially 
appointed in 2017, Steven has dutifully filled the role of Lyme's 
highest official for three elected terms.
  Steven has served the town of Lyme in multiple capacities for 27 
years since he first moved with his family to Connecticut in 1996. This 
not only includes his tenure as First Selectman, but also an additional 
17 years on the Board of Selectmen as well as positions on just about 
every other board and commission available in town. A small enclave of 
Connecticut and the larger New England region, with a local population 
hovering around 2,300, municipalities like Lyme rely on the leadership 
example set by Steven, who has acted as a knowledgeful public steward 
who could be trusted to advocate for the town's long-standing 
interests. He and the small but effective team at Lyme townhall have 
kept the municipal government operating like a well-oiled machine, 
working sharply to keep the community in strong financial shape without 
having to ask more of its constituents, and enhancing the locality's 
capacity for financial planning.
  A bipartisan figure in the town of Lyme, Steven's impact has reached 
beyond administering the basic duties of a municipal government. Under 
his tenure as both Selectman and First Selectman, Lyme has been led by 
a watchful eye and bolstered by extensive financial planning, undergone 
a successful referendum toward the reconstruction of its school system, 
enhanced communications between the townhall and the public at large 
and experienced invaluable infrastructure improvements. Within the 
community, there is also a weighted value toward expanding the 
conservation of the town's small, historic, and environmental culture 
through its own public trusts and open spaces which Steven has 
undoubtedly continuously supported. In June 2022, Sustainable CT, a 
Statewide organization that uplifts inclusive, resilient and efficient 
municipal governance, recognized the leadership of Lyme and bestowed 
the town with its bronze certification. Clearly, the town of Lyme has 
benefitted from Steven's leadership.
  Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure and an honor to represent 
constituents like Steven and his wife Maddy, who have committed a 
significant portion of their lives to the underappreciated necessity 
that is responsible governance. I had a chance to see his devotion to 
his family back in 2014, when his daughter Carly worked on one of my 
election campaigns. She, like her parents, is a personable, public-
spirited citizen who did fantastic work interacting with coworkers and 
voters. Her parents were extremely proud of her efforts, which were a 
great reflection of their values and empathy for people. As Steven 
retires to appreciate more time with his family, his longstanding 
presence in the public eye of the Lyme community will be sorely missed. 
And though the void left behind by his departure will be difficult to 
fill, it is worth emphasizing the impact of his legacy and great 
standing in which he leaves the town of Lyme. To that end, Madam 
Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in recognizing 
the accomplishments of Steven Mattson's personal contributions to the 
town's future and congratulating him on his well-earned retirement.

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