[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 8, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E109-E110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF BETH HOGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY-

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 8, 2023

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of an 
outstanding public servant and community leader from the Town of East 
Lyme, Connecticut located in Southeastern Connecticut, Beth Hogan. An 
inspiring trailblazer for women in the legal profession, politics and 
town government, Beth departed this world too soon on January 28, 2023, 
after a three-year battle with cancer, with her devoted husband and law 
partner Conrad Seifert, and her daughter Emily, at her side. The news 
of her passing brought forth an outpouring of sadness and praise from 
the entire region of Southeastern Connecticut and speaks volumes of her 
impact upon the lives of so many who she helped in countless ways.
  Born in Meriden and raised in Stamford, Connecticut to Bill and Rita 
Hogan, Beth knew from a young age that she was destined to uplift the 
lives of others. Upon graduating from Boston University and Quinnipiac 
Law School, Beth met Conrad and they began a journey in a two-person 
law firm--Seifert and Hogan, representing individuals with both 
compassion and the highest degree of ethics and professionalism. 
Throughout her time at the firm, Beth practiced in the areas of 
criminal defense litigation, civil practice, and juvenile and family 
law. As I know from my own experience as a small-town general 
practitioner, this type of law can be stressful. Despite the 
challenging nature of this work, she handled her clients with calmness 
and poise. She most recently focused on the cause of fair sentencing 
for juveniles, which in recent years has been reformed in Connecticut 
due in part by lawyers who advocated for this change.
  Her view of the law was not just about individual cases. As a 
political candidate, office holder and political organizer she was 
outspoken believer in progressive policy. This was not just an 
intellectual exercise for her-- she was dedicated to getting real 
results in her region that were an expression of her beliefs. In 2008. 
for example, she joined The Connection, Inc., where she focused on 
expanding affordable housing opportunities. As director of government 
and community partnerships, Beth fought hard for years to successfully 
convert a former school into St. Mary Place of New London, 
Connecticut--a 20-unit affordable housing complex.
  Beth also had a knack for recruiting other selfless individuals into 
local politics. She never missed an opportunity in this regard and was 
the driving force behind adding members to her town's Democratic party. 
Her proficiency in finding new advocates, candidates, and volunteers 
across all ages is exactly why Beth served as the chair of the local 
party's committee for a total of nearly two decades. Because of Beth, 
there is an army of visionaries and changemakers who will now march 
forward in their own relentless pursuit towards a better town and 
region. In fact, her love of community saw Beth in her final days 
delegating projects to her trusted friends and colleagues in local 
politics.
  Beth's works are far too numerous to even begin counting. She served 
on many boards and commissions within East Lyme's municipal government. 
Beyond the various charities to which she also belonged; Beth notably 
once served as the first-ever First Selectwoman of East Lyme.
  Mr. Speaker, Beth Hogan was the archetypal citizen and public 
servant. She was a compassionate confidant, a cultivator of community, 
a public servant, a champion of policy, a connector and mentor of 
people. Beth Hogan was a force multiplier for good. To say that we 
mourn the loss of this unwavering positive character could not be more 
of an understatement. And yet, Beth's dynamic legacy will continue to 
pay dividends far into the future--it is a garden where the flowers 
will never die. She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Conrad, her 
daughter Emily, and the

[[Page E110]]

infinite number of individuals in whom she instilled hope. I can assure 
my colleagues that she would not wish for these words of praise, which 
is exactly why we must commit her to our Nation's memory. To that end, 
I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in honoring the giving 
nature of Beth's story.