[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19526]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATING MARGARET (PEG) CURTIN

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I wish a happy 70th birthday to an 
outstanding citizen and dear friend, Peg Curtin.
  Peg was one of my earliest and strongest supporters when I first ran 
for Congress in 1974. Peg's family and mine have been close since the 
1950s, when my father served in the House and then in the U.S. Senate.
  For nearly three decades, Peg has compiled an outstanding record of 
public and community service in Connecticut. She has truly given her 
heart and soul to the people of our State.
  From 1974 to 1977, Peg was a union organizer for the American 
Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees and a member of 
the international staff of the AFL-CIO. In 1975, she was part of the 
transition team of one of our State's most beloved Governors, the late 
Ella T. Grasso. That year, Peg also began the first of 4 years as a 
member of the New London City Council, including one year as the city's 
mayor. Among her many accomplishments was the development and 
implementation of New London's first-ever affirmative action plan.
  From 1979 to 1996, Peg devoted her time and energy to the State of 
Connecticut. For 12 years, she served as under secretary at the Office 
of Policy and Management's Division of Intergovernmental Relations. 
There, her talents enabled her to handle a demanding and diverse array 
of tasks, from state labor negotiations to emergency assistance during 
natural disasters. Peg then went on to manage labor relations for 6 
years at the University of Connecticut Health Center. She retired in 
1996 after once again winning a seat on the New London City Council, an 
office she continues to hold today.
  Peg Curtin's public service is not limited to her official duties. 
She has been involved in numerous charitable causes. There are far too 
many for me to list here on the floor, but I will just mention a few: 
the Connecticut Special Olympics, the American Red Cross, and the March 
of Dimes. It is only fitting that at tonight's celebration of Peg's 
birthday, the proceeds for the events will benefit two of the causes 
about which Peg cares so deeply--the New London Youth Organization and 
the New London Parks Conservancy.
  We in Connecticut are lucky to have Peg Curtin working on our behalf. 
There is no doubt in my mind that our State is a better place today 
because of her efforts. I am privileged to call her my friend, and I 
truly admire her commitment to service, charity, and community. It is 
my pleasure to wish Peg a very happy birthday, and to send her my best 
wishes for many, many more wonderful years.

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