House Republican Press Release

January 24, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Caron Present as Plans Unveiled for CT Hall of Fame at Legislative Office Building

Hartford – The members of the Connecticut Hall of Fame Committee and legislative leaders have formally unveiled plans for the creation of the Connecticut Hall of Fame to recognize the outstanding achievements of Connecticut individuals. The committee is composed of Senators Joseph Crisco (D-Woodbridge), John McKinney (R-Fairfield) and Representatives Elizabeth “Betty” Boukus (D-Plainville, Michael Caron (R-Danielson).

The Connecticut Hall of Fame will be located in the break-out area of the second floor of the Legislative Office Building.  The designation will appear across the top of the entryway and across the top of the window.  The names of the inductees will be placed on rosewood panels, which will be installed on both sides of the break-out area.  All lettering will be in brass.

The hall of fame is designed to recognize those individuals either born or live in Connecticut who have distinguished themselves in their profession, nationally or internationally.  It will also have an education function because of the great number of students who visit the Capitol and L.O.B.

“The creation of the hall of fame is an excellent way to recognize Connecticut individuals and their contributions to society,” said Senator Crisco.  “It is also a positive way to educate our school students and to create awareness of our great state by focusing on the people who have contributed so much in the arts, public service and other areas.”

“The Connecticut Hall of Fame provides us with a wonderful opportunity to honor those who have in one way or another shaped Connecticut history,” said Representative Boukus.  “In recognition of the contributions to the state, the names of these individuals will be forever memorialized on a plaque in the Legislative Office Building.”

“The Connecticut Hall of Fame gives us the opportunity to recognize people of Connecticut that have left their mark and they live with the state motto He who Transplanted Still Sustains,” said Representative Caron.

The selection process is scheduled to get underway in April.  For the first round of nominations, the committee will select up to six individuals for induction, three of which will be posthumous. The Connecticut Historical Society, the State Library, the Legislative Library, and individuals will be invited to nominate persons consideration.

 A glass sculpture of the Capitol, the Connecticut Seal with motto, the Charter Oak Chair, or the Charter Oak Tree will be chosen as the award.  The date chosen for the award ceremony will be designated as “Connecticut Hall of Fame Day.”

The sources for funding the Connecticut Hall of Fame are expected to come from corporate contributions, grants, individual contributions and contributions from foundations and potentially appropriate state agencies.