House Republican Press Release
December 22, 2008
Press Office: 860-240-8700
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A VIEW FROM THE INSIDE
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Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve
It’s hard to believe that 28 years have passed since I first took office in January of 1981. When I first ran for election in November of 1980, I was a reluctant candidate and frankly, no other Republican wanted to run for the 61st District seat in the Connecticut General Assembly.
Without question, my tenure in the legislature has been a wonderful experience for me.
One of my fondest memories is
meeting President and Mrs. Reagan at a luncheon hosted by the President at the
White House where I was lucky enough to be seated next to Nancy Reagan.
The luncheon was held as part of a three-day event where female legislators
from around the country were briefed on issues by department heads and cabinet
members.
Much of the legislative process has changed since I was first elected.
Although we have recently had a number of special sessions, the legislature
actually used to spend much more time in session dealing with the issues before
it. Many more bills were debated individually and, if necessary, amended
by all members of the House or Senate.
During the last few years, omnibus budget bills containing hundreds of pages of numerous items are prepared and voted only hours after they are written with very little debate or public input. In fact, very few legislators actually participate in drafting those bills and most are only briefed on them a few hours before they are asked to vote. This practice is regrettable and circumvents the intent of representative government by putting the decision making in the hands of just a few people.
To paraphrase an old saying, “You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time.” This proves to be true for many who choose public service. I take pride in knowing with all my heart that I conducted myself within the legislative process with the best interest of the majority of my constituents always in mind and knowing that not every constituent would agree with my vote on any given issue.
Nevertheless, I would like thank you very much for allowing me the opportunity to serve. It has been both an honor and a privilege to have been given this responsibility. It’s time for my life to take a new path, but thanks to you, I do so after a rewarding and enriching 28-year career in the legislature.
State Rep. Ruth Fahrbach represents the 61st District, including Suffield, and parts of Windsor and East Granby, in the General Assembly. Her official retirement date is January 6, 2009.