[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 20, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E164-E165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE AND CAREER OF MARTIN ``BO'' BURKE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 20, 2024

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of one of Connecticut's great leaders in our state's legal profession 
and government who sadly passed

[[Page E165]]

recently, Mr. Martin ``Bo'' Byran Burke. A true gentleman, Bo 
represented thousands of clients, guiding them expertly through legal 
difficulty and, at times, crisis. The positive impact he made on 
countless individuals, families, and small businesses is incalculable. 
He also enthusiastically participated in politics and government out of 
both a sense of civic duty and his abiding devotion to our democracy 
and constitution.
  Born in 1940 to Edmond and Francis Burke, Bo was a true son of New 
England. His passion for his community and region defined his life's 
choices. After graduating from Colgate University with a Bachelor's in 
English, Bo continued his studies as he pursued a Juris Doctor from 
Albany School of Law. Although Bo's first foray into law was in New 
York State, he soon returned to his home state, passing the Connecticut 
Bar Exam in 1968.
  Bo's career as a lawyer was long, eventful, and widely respected. His 
work ethic was unparalleled, and he was modest about his 
accomplishments. His small-town practice in Vernon, Connecticut was 
always centered on representing people, not large institutional 
clients. Today that model might be viewed by some as out of date, but 
Bo knew that such representation is at the heart of the oath he took 
when he was admitted to the bar. Bo was also committed to improving the 
profession. Bo served on the Connecticut Judicial Review Council, the 
Connecticut Law Revision Commission, and the Committee on Government 
Administration and Policy and the Governor's Commission on Judicial 
Reform. He additionally wrote for numerous law journals, such as the 
Connecticut Law Journal and the Connecticut Bar Journal. Bo opened his 
own practice in Vernon where he had immeasurable success. He focused on 
law, Title XIX, special needs, trusts, veterans' benefits, probate, and 
real estate. He took upon immense responsibilities as he briefed and 
argued over 12 reported appellate cases. Bo was understood by those 
around him to be a wise and trustworthy lawyer due to his extensive 
experience and mastery of the law.
  Bo applied his vast knowledge of law and government to an amazingly 
accomplished one term in the Connecticut General Assembly. In 1974 he 
ran and won the 56th Assembly seat, representing Vernon. In his single 
term, he took on the incredibly important and difficult task of writing 
our state's freedom of information act. Opening state and local 
government to the press and public was extremely challenging. Yet, 
because of his diligent, talented ability to shape the bill and win 
consensus, the measure passed and was signed into law by Governor Ella 
Grasso. That law has withstood the test of time and still provides 
sunlight on the processes of government which is essential to a healthy 
democracy. After his two years of representation for the constituents 
of district 56, he decided to redirect his focus from elective office 
back to his law practice and town government. He transitioned to 
positions within the towns of Vernon and Rockville. For many years, he 
served both as Town Attorney and Assistant Town Attorney of Vernon. Bo 
endlessly served his town and state and was a champion of protecting 
democracy.
  As someone who understood the opportunities created from receiving 
advanced education, Bo took it upon himself to improve and advocate for 
education with his town. Of course, a big reason for his interest was 
his long and beautiful marriage to his talented wife Ellen, who taught 
hundreds and hundreds of children in the Vernon Public Schools. He 
served as counsel on the Vernon Education Foundation to being a member 
and Chairman on the Board of Trustees at the Rockville Public Library. 
Between Bo and Ellen, Vernon's education standards remained high, which 
is part of the reason two schools received blue ribbon awards from the 
U.S. Department of Education, something which is a great source of 
pride in Vernon.
  Bo's career was one element of his multifaceted and exciting life. 
Since the mid-60s, he had been a continuous vacationer in Maine. For 
much of this time, he owned a camp on Flying Pond in Vienna, Maine. The 
days spent in Maine were calm and relaxing and gave Bo breaks from his 
demanding career as a lawyer.
  It has been a great honor to personally know Bo. I met him when I was 
a young lawyer in Vernon many years ago and had the benefit of 
practicing law in the same community for many years. His example of 
strong advocacy and common-sense willingness to find common ground to 
settle disputes still resonates with me to this day. In 1986, I ran for 
the same seat he held in the general assembly and with his help, I was 
fortunate enough to prevail. He was always willing to provide counsel 
and advice which I deeply appreciated. Twenty years later he supported 
my election to the U.S. Congress, which was so special and meaningful 
to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to immortalize him today. He has been a great 
inspiration not just for me, but for his family, community, and beyond. 
His loss is deeply felt by his family members, including his wife, 
Ellen Schopfer Burke; his sons, Matthew, Jonathan, Andrew, and Sullivan 
Burke, and their wives; his sister, Susan Evans Burke, and his cousin 
Mary Jane Dempsey. He will also be missed by the community at large, 
which has seen many improvements directly due to Bo's efforts and deep 
commitment to others. His deep and nuanced understanding of the law 
assisted many constituents in defending their rights as American 
citizens. I am grateful to know that Bo's legacy will carry on within 
and beyond my district, as others follow in his footsteps.

                          ____________________