House Republican Press Release

July 17, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Kalinowski Receives Prestigious Honor

Named “Legislator of the Year” by a statewide veterans organization

HARTFORD- Hundreds of American Legion members last week honored State Representative Raymond Kalinowski (R-Durham) for advancing veterans issues in the state’s legislature.

Kalinowski has been named “Legislator of the Year” for 2008 in Connecticut, one of two elected officials to receive the Legion award. Kalinowski, with his wife, Sandi, was at the American Legion’s annual state convention July 11 in Rocky Hill to accept the award before a strong delegation of legionnaires.

“It’s a true honor to receive this award, but it’s been an even bigger honor to represent the interests of men and women who have served in this country’s military,” said Kalinowski, a member of the state’s Veterans Affairs Committee. “We should never forget their service -- I know I won’t.”

Jack Monahan, treasurer for the state’s American Legion chapter, heaped kudos on Kalinowski for his efforts in pushing statehouse issues such as waving the fee for the Gold Star Family license plate, which the legislature authorized in 2007 for immediate relatives of state residents killed in action while performing active military duty with the U.S. Armed Forces.

Monahan said Kalinowski represents a collegial spirit characteristic of a Veterans Affairs Committee that’s done well to look out for former soldiers in Connecticut.

“He’s been absolutely instrumental,” Monahan said.

Kalinowski is a U.S. Air Force veteran.

The American Legion is a not-for-profit community service organization that has roughly three million members in nearly 15,000 American Legion posts throughout the world.

Kalinowski represents the 100th District, which includes Middletown, Middlefield and Durham.