[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CONNIE CLERY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 14, 2026

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life 
and legacy of Connie Clery, a courageous advocate for campus safety, 
victims' rights, and public accountability, who passed away on June 23, 
2026, at the age of 95.
  Born Constance Benjamin Clery, Connie devoted her life to serving 
others with compassion, resilience, and determination. While she will 
always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, 
she is equally remembered as a national leader whose advocacy reshaped 
how institutions of higher education respond to campus crime and 
student safety.
  Connie's journey as an advocate began following the heartbreaking 
loss of her daughter, Jeanne Clery, who was tragically murdered in her 
residence hall at Lehigh University in 1986. Rather than allowing grief 
to define her family, Connie transformed this unimaginable loss into 
action. Alongside her husband, Howard Clery, she dedicated herself to 
ensuring that no other family would endure the same preventable 
tragedy.
  Together, the Clery family founded Security on Campus Inc., now known 
as the Clery Center, an organization committed to promoting safer 
college campuses through education, prevention, and advocacy. Under 
Connie's leadership, the organization became a national voice for 
transparency, empowering students and families with information while 
encouraging colleges and universities to prioritize campus safety.
  Connie's perseverance helped inspire the passage of the Jeanne Clery 
Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, 
known as the Clery Act. This landmark federal law requires colleges and 
universities receiving federal financial aid to publicly disclose 
campus crime statistics and issue timely warnings about threats to 
campus communities. This Act fundamentally changed the safety and 
transparency of higher education, ensuring safety for millions of 
students.
  Throughout the years, Connie remained a steadfast advocate for 
victims' rights and institutional accountability. Alongside her husband 
Howard, she helped advance more than 30 state and federal laws designed 
to improve campus safety and strengthen victims' rights. Even after 
stepping down from leading the organization she co-founded, Connie 
remained deeply engaged as Chairwoman Emerita of the Clery Center, 
continuing to mentor advocates and inspire institutions committed to 
creating safer learning environments. Her actions and courage continue 
to fuel a national movement that has protected countless lives and 
families.
  Above all, Connie was a devoted wife to Howard Clery, Jr. For 51 
years, a loving mother to Howard, III, Benjamin, and Jeanne, and a 
proud grandmother and friend. While her work became known across the 
Nation, her family remained at the heart of everything she did, and 
Connie's memory continued to inspire her life's mission.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of 
Connie Clery for her extraordinary service to students and the 
countless lives that will never know the danger she worked so 
tirelessly to prevent. May her legacy continue to inspire others to 
serve with integrity, compassion, and purpose.

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