[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF CAROLYN VERMONT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. HIMES

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 2026

  Mr. HIMES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of the 
indelible Carolyn Vermont of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
  As Members of Congress, we spend every day representing constituents 
to the best of our ability, attempting to balance competing interests, 
voices, and opinions. Today is a rare day when I know, as it relates to 
Carolyn Vermont, there is unanimity among those I have the privilege of 
representing: she was beloved--for who she was, for how much of herself 
she was willing to give to her city, for the affection she held for her 
neighbors, and for her zest for life.
  Carolyn devoted her life to serving others, always eager to tackle 
another structural impediment or injustice which prevented any in her 
community from flourishing. She helped families achieve stability 
through homeownership as CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Coastal 
Fairfield County, fought for racial justice as President of the 
Bridgeport NAACP, improved safety as chair of Bridgeport's Task Force 
on Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention, and promoted education as 
a trustee for Fairfield University, her alma mater.
  Carolyn also served as President of the Bridgeport Rotary Club, was a 
member of the National Coalition for 100 Black Women, and was involved 
with the Fairfield Community Foundation and her local chapter of the 
Urban League. She was an unstoppable force for good in the City of 
Bridgeport who constantly thought in terms of community.
  For all the good she did, Mr. Speaker, I want to impress upon you 
just how good she was. Spending a moment in Carolyn's presence brought 
you instant joy, lasting motivation to serve others, and the certainty 
of taking a selfie together. Hundreds--possibly even thousands--of my 
constituents have selfies with Carolyn hugging them tightly and smiling 
ear to ear. I know, since her passing, many of us have scrolled back to 
those photos to bid our friend farewell.
  I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the Vermont family. 
We in Connecticut owe her an immense debt of gratitude for sharing 
Carolyn with us. She will not soon be forgotten. Trust that I, along 
with many others, will be there to carry on her legacy--manifested in 
the organizations she helped build, the initiatives she led, the people 
she believed in, and the city she loved.

                          ____________________