[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12746]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. EDWARD D. BERGIN, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELIZABETH H. ESTY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 18, 2017

  Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
of Edward Bergin, Jr., who passed away on August 12, 2017 at the age of 
74. Mr. Bergin served an impressive five terms as mayor of Waterbury, 
Connecticut, and his strong and dedicated leadership guided the city 
through substantial economic change. Those of us in Connecticut will 
remember Mayor Bergin as a devoted public servant who exemplified what 
an elected official strives to be. He wanted to improve his community 
and help every person he represented.
  Mayor Bergin was a fierce advocate for Waterbury, and his roots in a 
blue-collar Irish family made him keenly conscious of the challenges 
facing the city. He grew up with a strong appreciation for public 
service, as his father, Edward Bergin, Sr., was elected to four terms 
as mayor of the city. The community knew Mayor Bergin for his 
commitment to Waterbury and his willingness to meet with and listen to 
people from all political perspectives.
  As mayor, Bergin led a number of critical initiatives to preserve 
important parts of Waterbury's history, while also championing the 
city's revitalization. Mayor Bergin successfully fought to stop the 
demolition of the Palace Theater, which would later be restored, 
preserving an important part of the city's past. He also launched a 
large economic development project to tear down the Scovill 
manufacturing plant in the core of Waterbury to make room for the Brass 
Mill Center Mall. Mayor Bergin has a well-deserved reputation for 
astute management and organization of the government.
  Mr. Speaker, Mayor Edward Bergin was a dedicated public servant who 
spent his career making Waterbury a better city. It is fitting and 
proper that we honor his legacy here today. All those who knew him will 
cherish his memory, and the citizens of Waterbury will long remember 
his contributions to the city.

                          ____________________