House Republican Press Release

January 30, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Heather DesRoches Chosen as Speaker for Capitol Children`s Forum

HARTFORD- Heather DesRoches, of Hebron was recently featured as a speaker for the “Children in the Wake of Terrorism and Natural Disaster” Forum at the State Capitol.  The Connecticut Commission on Children, the State Department of Education and the State Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security sponsored the televised event. 

Connecticut is the only state in the nation to have passed broad planning legislation on homeland security and children, under “An Act Concerning Civil Preparedness and the Needs of Children.”  State Representative Pamela Sawyer said, “This act recognizes the special needs and assets of children in both being protected as well as in helping to lead and protect our democracy. This forum is part of that process and we’re very proud of Heather.”

Her essay was selected from among 2300 prose and poetry entries, and was read at the Legislative Office Building before a group of 800 people, including state commissioners, senators, representatives, teachers and members of the public. Her narrative, titled “No Kidnapping,” focused upon that topic and the anxiety that it has created among an entire generation of young people.  Other topics of concern that were discussed at the forum included racism, bullying, violence, loss, heroes, and war.  Miss DesRoches is a fifth grade student at Hebron Elementary School.