House Republican Press Release

January 30, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Cordier Elected Chairman, Connecticut Commission on Children

James P. Cordier of Hebron was recently elected Chairman of the Connecticut Commission on Children.  In 2001, State Representative Pamela Sawyer nominated him for commission membership.  He served as treasurer in 2003 and as vice chairman in 2004.

The Commission promotes public policy for Connecticut’s children by participating in legislative advocacy, promoting the coordination of services across all three branches of government, acquiring funding from non-governmental sources and engaging in research and public information.

Commission accomplishments during Cordier’s tenure have included the development of Connecticut’s lead poisoning prevention program, improvement of the state immunization program, promotion of the school readiness program, fund acquisition for the early reading success program, funding and implementation of the anti-bullying act, juvenile crime prevention and the prevention of child obesity.   

Cordier is one of Connecticut’s area directors for the USDA-funded Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program (WIC).  He served as acting director of health for the Town of Hebron and as an Army special operations officer, where he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  Since 2003, he has also served as Chairman of the Office of the State Child Advocate Advisory Committee.

Representative Sawyer said, “Jim has promoted the health and welfare of eastern Connecticut’s children for years.  To date, he and his WIC staff have secured over $25 million in public health funds for this area and assisted over 50,000 low-income families through the provision of food, infant formula, nutrition education and medical services. I know that he will continue to promote the best interests of all Connecticut children in his new position as Chairman of the Connecticut Commission on Children.”