[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 21, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S4910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        TRIBUTE TO DANA CONNORS

 Mr. KING. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the career one 
of Maine's most dedicated, respected leaders: Dana Connors. Dana is 
part of the fabric of Maine, and it is almost impossible to concisely 
recognize the impact he has had on our State.
  Dana, a proud native of Aroostook County, started his career as a 
municipal manager in Presque Isle after graduating from the University 
of Maine. Here, he served as city manager for 16 years, where he built 
a reputation as an advocate for common sense, a consensus builder, and 
a good listener. His exceptional ability to put a fine point on issues 
and present a case for the greater good brought him to State 
government, where he served as Maine's Commissioner of the Department 
of Transportation under both a Democratic and Republican Governor--a 
true testament to his bipartisan values.
  In the time I have known him, it has always been clear that Dana 
served the people, not any party. It is due to this unimpeachable 
dedication, that people have always trusted him implicitly. I am one of 
those people, and when I was lucky enough to serve as Governor of the 
great State of Maine, Dana was my first and only choice to be my 
transition director. Shortly after in 1994, he became president of the 
Maine State Chamber of Commerce, where he has served our business 
community admirably for nearly 30 years.
  It is here at the chamber where perhaps he has left his largest 
legacy. There has never been a greater advocate for Maine's businesses, 
and his legacy will continue to echo throughout our State for 
generations. Because of Dana, thousands of Maine businesses have been 
able to thrive, employ hard- working Maine people, and make our State 
the greatest in the Nation.
  While his retirement will undoubtably leave a large void in the 
business community, Dana has instilled the same work ethic and 
understanding of the needs of Maine businesses in his team. They will 
continue Dana's legacy and ensure the growing success of the State that 
Dana devoted his career to.
  Dana has made the Maine State chamber a shining example of 
professionalism. His instincts--and his fashion sense--may be a hard 
act to follow, but his ability to lead always includes a path for 
others to succeed. Thank you, Dana, for your friendship, your 
leadership, and your dedication to public service. Maine is better for 
it.

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