[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 209 (Tuesday, December 19, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1251-E1252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE CAREER OF GERALD `JERRY' GRABAREK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 19, 2023

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a long-standing 
public servant to the Town of Preston, Connecticut and pillar of our 
state's sizable rural population, Mr. Gerald `Jerry' Grabarek of 
Preston, Connecticut. Jerry has recently marked his 50th year of 
community service to the Town of Preston and also just celebrated the 
100 anniversary his multi-generational family farm, appropriately 
named, Preston Farms. Most recently, he has won reelection unopposed to 
the Board of Selectman, and was sworn in on the 5th of December. 
Preston and the region are lucky to have such a talented, stalwart 
advocate.
  Jerry's long history of service begins in the early 1970's when he 
and his wife, Deb, took a more active role in managing the farm. During 
this time, they shared responsibility with the farm's original 
founders, Andrew and Anastasia Grabarek. Jerry used this time to pursue 
a degree in Biology, Botany, and Zoology from Connecticut College in 
New London, graduating in 1981. This experience proved beneficial 
immediately when he and Deb took over Preston Farms upon the death of 
Andrew in 1984. Jerry's tenure at the farm has been defined by his 
eagerness to engage with his neighbors, often giving fieldtrips and 
hay-rides to Preston's elementary school students. Countless 
generations remember the visit to Jerry's farms with fond memories of 
tractor rides and cups of ice-cream.
  Ever a steward of his community, one of the earliest times Jerry 
opened his farm and maze to local students was in the wake of the 11th 
of September terror attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. 
Many children of Eastern Connecticut's servicemen and women had to 
contend with their parents being suddenly mobilized without explanation 
or words of good-bye. In response, Jerry coordinated field trips to 
Preston Farms free of charge to give those children a much-needed 
respite in the month immediately following the attacks. This episode 
truly epitomizes the selfless, bottom-up service approach which has 
defined Jerry's life.
  In 1978, Jerry began his municipal service in earnest through his 
being voted on to Preston's Democratic Town Committee. Little did he 
know at the time that this action would take him on a winding journey 
of advocacy. By 1982, Jerry served on the Planning and Zoning 
commission wherein he eventually became chair. Jerry's tenure in town 
politics oversaw a significant shift in the dynamic of southeast 
Connecticut living. In 1983, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe received 
federal recognition and reservation rights which soon saw the 
development of the Foxwoods Resort Casino, causing a large increase in 
the number of visitors to the region. This increase in tourism 
necessitated enhanced infrastructure to accommodate the additional 
traffic. Under his chairmanship of the Planning and Zoning Commission, 
Jerry helped ensure development was executed in a balanced manner to 
avoid undue burden on area residents while still accommodating the 
increased travel.
  Jerry's advocacy for Preston only increased in 1995 when he 
successfully ran for the Board of Selectmen, ending his first term in 
2009. In his early years on the Board, he continued to advocate for the 
needs of residents when weighing responses to the increased traffic 
caused by tribal economic development. In 2020, Jerry rejoined the 
Board and continues his service today.
  Mr. Speaker, I have known Jerry personally for over 30 years and 
consider myself immensely fortunate to call him a friend. Representing 
hardworking, good hearted constituents like Jerry Grabarek is an 
inspiration to me to stay focused on helping people which is his 
trademark. Amazingly Jerry continues to serve even as he surpasses 50 
years of hard work for Preston and the southeast region. I ask that my 
colleagues join me in thanking Jerry for his decades of dutiful 
stewardship.

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