[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 135 (Friday, August 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE CAREER OF ELIZABETH ``BETTI'' KUSZAJ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 11, 2023

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of one of 
northeastern Connecticut's greatest community advocates, Elizabeth 
``Betti'' Kuszaj of Brooklyn, Connecticut. Betti is retiring after over 
four decades of service as the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of 
Cornmerce's Executive Director. In this role, Betti has earned a 
reputation as an institution unto herself, working tirelessly during 
good economic times and bad to keep Connecticut's northeastern region 
growing, while at the same time maintaining its unique rural appeal as, 
``the Quiet Corner''. Betty's business expertise, knowledge of the 
people in the region, and well-deserved reputation as an ethical, 
trustworthy person, will not soon be replaced.
  Betti has tackled her professional and personal life with an 
unmatched vigor--even before her career at the Chamber. Prior to the 
start of her leadership through the Chamber in 1982, Betti served 
within the Brooklyn, Connecticut school system having graduated from 
the University of Connecticut with a degree in speech pathology. In 
addition to her service to the students of Brooklyn, Betti worked part-
time as a waitress, demonstrating an incredible work ethic that would 
be a hallmark of her time with the Chamber.
  Betti's transition from advocating for the growth of students to the 
growth of her local business community would completely transform the 
Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber's founding 
roots originate with the once-Brooklyn-Killingly Chamber of Commerce, 
which then served 70 businesses. Today, it is a regional bulwark in 
business development. The towns incorporated within its mission have 
ballooned from two towns to twenty-three. It now supports a community 
of more than 530 member businesses. By 1991, less than 10 years into 
Betti's visionary leadership, the change was made official, and the 
Northeastern Chamber was formally organized out of its predecessor 
chambers.
  After the reorganization, Betti settled very comfortably into the 
role that many business and government leaders have known and 
appreciated her for--a tenacious fighter and dependable resource. 
Cooperation and collaboration have been hallmarks of Betti's time, as 
she built partnerships across the state and region, always putting the 
needs of her clientele first. She has served on multiple boards and 
commissions across northeast Connecticut--from Day Kimball Hospital to 
Putnam's Rotary Club. There are few places in the Quiet Corner that do 
not bear the mark of Betti's influence and assistance.
  On a personal note, Mr. Speaker, my interactions with Betti began 
shortly after my election in 2006 when she invited my office to a 
Chamber Breakfast in Danielson. From my perspective, it was in 
difficult times that Betti really distinguished herself as a calm, 
competent and consistent leader. For example, when the U.S. economy was 
shaken in the wake of the great financial collapse of 2009, or more 
recently during the shock of the global pandemic which disrupted every 
sector, private and public in the region. Under Betti's leadership, the 
Northeastern Chamber became a hub for businesses small and large who 
needed help obtaining PPE, SBA loans and or information on Employee 
Retention Tax Credits. There is no question in my mind that due to 
Betti's efforts, she saved many businesses and countless jobs. In some 
ways, the pandemic was Betti's ``finest hour.''
  Mr. Speaker, the likes of Betti's long career of consummate service 
to Northeast Connecticut's business sector will not be witnessed again 
for a long time. She has passionately sacrificed her time and energy 
for the betterment of our community. I am deeply thankful for her 
efforts over these four decades. In her retirement, Betti will spend 
some much-deserved time with her family, specifically her granddaughter 
who Betti will be happily babysitting. Although the Quiet Corner is 
losing a titan through Betti's retirement, we can take solace in the 
knowledge that she has left the chamber in a position to further 
flourish under the leadership of her successors. I ask my colleagues to 
please join me in further etching Betti's legacy.

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