House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

November 14, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

REP. CAFERO NAMES  FOUR VETERAN LAWMAKERS TO LEADERSHIP TEAM

 

HARTFORD – State House Republican Leader state Rep. Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., today named four veteran lawmakers to fill out his leadership team in advance of the next legislative session that begins in January.

 

Cafero, who was chosen by the caucus as Leader last week, picked state Rep. Themis Klarides of Derby and Rep. William Hamzy of  Terryville as his two Deputy Leaders. He also named Rep. Richard O. Belden of Shelton and Rep. Claudia “Dolly’’ Powers of Greenwich as Deputy Minority Leaders-at-Large.

 

Klarides was re-elected to a fifth term in office from the 114th District and Hamzy to his seventh from the 78th District. Belden is the Dean of the House and will begin his 17th term in office while Powers was first elected in 1992.

 

“I am honored that these fine people will serve and lead the House Republicans caucus with me. They are incredibly talented, thoughtful, and respected legislators. The House Republicans, the General Assembly and the state as a whole will be better for their service,’’ Cafero said.

 

Klarides, an attorney and Trinity College graduate, has served as a Ranking Member and Assistant Minority Leader. She is also a member of the Executive Board of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and National Foundation of  Women Legislators’ Family Building Subcommittee.

 

Hamzy, also an attorney, is a graduate of University of Connecticut. He served on the Select Committee of Inquiry examining the alleged wrongdoing in of former Gov. John G. Rowland in 2004 and most recently served as Republican state party chairman.

 

Belden is believed to be the longest serving member of the House of Representatives in state history having first been elected in 1974

 

He has served in a variety of leadership posts including Deputy Speaker and Assistant Leader and is retired from Sikorsky Aircraft.

 

Powers has served as Assistant Leader Minority Whip and Deputy Minority Leader in her seven terms. She was also a member of  the Select Committee of Inquiry and is a member of the Governor’s Prevention Partnership.