[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5977]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING PAUL PAWLAK, SR.

 Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and 
honor the life and legacy of Paul Pawlak, Sr. I knew Paul from my work 
in Connecticut State government. He was a dedicated public servant and 
family man who worked on behalf of the town of Seymour and the State of 
Connecticut for his entire life.
  Living in Seymour, the town where he graduated from high school, Paul 
worked as an electrician for more than 40 years. During that time, he 
also tirelessly served his community in public office, serving as first 
selectman for 4 years, as second selectman for 8 years, Chairman of 
Seymour's Board of Education for 12 years, and a member of the 
Connecticut House of Representatives for 12 years. In the State 
legislature, he placed particular importance on protecting our natural 
environment, serving as chair of the Water Resources Committee and 
helping to fight pollution with the Clean Waters Act.
  Paul also believed in the importance of public health and of strong 
and responsive public institutions to maintain it. He was the first 
chairman of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Public Health Department, as 
well as a member of the board of directors of the Public Health Nursing 
and Homemaker's Services. And he understood that all these institutions 
needed to work together and cooperate in order to accomplish their 
missions. He helped to form the Valley Council of Governments and 
served as its first chairman.
  Paul's passing is mourned by all those who knew him and the many 
people whose lives he affected for the better through his work. Of 
course, however, those who will miss him the most are those who were 
closest to him: his wife Mildred, his brother Andrew, his children Paul 
Jr., Joseph, David, and Richard, and the many other family members and 
friends he leaves behind.
  For his service to Connecticut, and for the legacy of good work and 
family loyalty that he created, I honor Paul Pawlak, and I know that he 
will not be forgotten.

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