House Republican Press Release

February 22, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Caron Announces First CT Hall of Fame Members

Legislature Inducts Katharine Hepburn, Mark Twain, Igor Sikorsky to New Hall of Fame

The state legislature has inducted three famous Connecticut residents, Katharine Hepburn, Mark Twain and Igor Sikorsky, as the first members of the new Connecticut Hall of Fame.

State Rep. Michael Caron, R-44, Killingly, Plainfield, Sterling, a cochairman of the hall of fame committee, said “Each of the three hall of fame members contributed to the world of arts and sciences in unique ways.”

He added, “Katharine Hepburn brought elegance and sophistication to the screen as one of America’s finest film actresses. Mark Twain was one of America’s best-known writers and humorists. Igor Sikorsky created a major impact on aviation and lifesaving missions by designing and building the first helicopter.”

“They all made major contributions and were tops in their fields,” said Rep. Caron. “We are proud to have had them as residents of Connecticut and we pleased to announce them as the first members of this new Hall of Fame.”

Rep. Caron and other legislative leaders created the Connecticut Hall of Fame in 2006, and they invited nominations to be submitted from groups and individuals throughout the state. A committee sorted through nominees who included diplomats, elected officials, writers, athletes, scholars and business leaders.

Katharine Hepburn, who was born in Hartford, received 12 Academy Award nominations and won four for Best Actress. Her acting career spanned 70 years. She died at the family home in Old Saybrook in 2003.

Mark Twain, whose real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemons, lived in Hartford beginning in 1872 and wrote enduring masterpieces, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Prince and the Pauper, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He died in Redding, Connecticut, in 1910.

Igor Sikorsky emigrated from Russia in 1919 and brought his experimental helicopter-type designs with him. Sikorsky started a company on Long Island and later moved it to Stratford, Connecticut, where he died in 1972. The company continues there today.

Rep. Caron serves the 44^th Assembly District of Killingly, Plainfield and Sterling in the state House of Representatives.