Representative John B. Larson
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Larson at press conference

Congressman Larson was joined by Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez and students from Capital Preparatory Magnet School at the announcement of the City Youth Violence Recovery Act (H.R. 6215) on October 11.  The legislation would provide grants to urban communities to help city youth deal with the aftermath of violence in their community.  The bill was drafted as the result of discussions with community and municipal leaders in the wake of increased youth violence in Hartford. 
 


Gonzalez, Gonzalez, Larson, Ortiz

Hispanic leaders from around the nation gathered in Washington on September 21 at the seventh annual Democratic Hispanic Summit.  Democratic Congressional leaders renewed their commitment to the Latino community by presenting El Compromiso Demócrata con el Pueblo Latino.  Download Acrobat Reader  
State Representative Minnie Gonzalez represented the Latino community in Hartford.  She is pictured above with Congressman Charlie Gonzalez (TX-20), Congressman Larson, and Congressman Solomon Ortiz (TX-27).
 


Larson & CEA

On September 28, Congressman Larson met with members of the Connecticut Education Association visiting Washington to discuss education issues with federal legislators.   From left to right: Kathy Flagherty, Maureen Honan, Congressman Larson, Sheila Cohen, and Michael Freeman.


Larson at hispanic roundtable

Congressman Larson met with Hartford area Hispanic leaders on September 11 at his inaugural Hispanic Roundtable.  The theme for the event was “Una Nueva Dirección Para Nuestras Familias-A New Direction for Our Families.”  The recommendations developed at the roundtable will be forwarded to Democratic Congressional leaders as they renew their Commitment to the Latino Community (El Compromiso Demócrata con la Comunidad Latino) at the end of September in Washington, D.C.
 


Larson at ribbon cutting

Congressman Larson joined Jan vanDokkum, president of UTC Power, East Hartford Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marion Martinez, East Hartford Mayor Melody Currey, State Senator Gary Lebeau, and State Representative Chris Stone at a ribbing cutting ceremony at East Hartford High School for the opening of a new 240-kilowatt power plant.  The energy-efficient turbine unit was manufactured in South Windsor.


Larson at press conference

On September 14, Congressman Larson joined the Democratic Truth Squad on Waste, Fraud, and Abuse to award Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff with the inaugural Golden Drain Award.  The award symbolizes the rampant waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars that has occurred at the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security under their watch.
 


Real Security press conference

On September 13, Congressman Larson and the Democratic leadership of the House and Senate welcomed former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and General Wesley Clark, the former NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe , to address the shortcomings in American foreign policy and homeland security.  Democrats have offered a comprehensive plan to protect America: Real Security
 


Larson on House floor

On September 7, Congressman Larson led the Iraq Watch on the House floor to discuss the Administration’s failures in Iraq and the need for the implementation of all of the 9/11 Commission recommendations.  Larson was joined by several of his Democratic colleagues for the hour long special order speech.  Watch the video.
 


Larson at press conference

On September 6, Congressman Larson and the Democratic leadership welcomed 9/11 Commission member Tim Roemer to speak to Democrats on national security issues and the importance of implementing all of the 9/11 Commission recommendations.  Larson, Roemer, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Caucus Chairman James Clyburn addressed the media before the Caucus meeting.
 


Larson at senior center

Congressman Larson met with a group of seniors on August 31 to discuss the Medicare prescription drug benefit and other issues effecting Connecticut’s seniors.


Larson at press conference

On August 31, Congressman Larson joined local officials to announce that the city of Hartford will receive New England’s first zero-emission hybrid fuel cell bus.  Larson helped obtain a $2.9 million Federal Transit Administration grant used to purchase the bus and fund infrastructure improvements for future fuel cell initiatives. 
   


Larson in New Orleans

Democrats at Habitat for Humanity

Congressman Larson and a delegation of House Democrats toured the Gulf Coast on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.  They participated in town hall meetings in New Orleans and Bay St. Louis, MS and visited Habitat for Humanity sites in New Orleans.
 


Larson & Maliki

On July 21, Congressman Larson served as a member of the welcoming committee for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s address to Congress.  Larson had requested that Prime Minister Maliki address the issue of amnesty for Iraqi insurgents who killed or injured Americans, but the Prime Minister did not raise the subject in his speech.
 


Reps Lewis & Larson

On July 9 - 10, Congressman Larson and Congressman John Lewis of Georgia met with Hartford community leaders to discuss the importance of religious, government, and civic leaders coming together to address issues of their community and neighborhoods.  Recognized as one of the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, Congressman Lewis joined Congressman Larson at a meeting with community leaders of Hartford’s North End, an ecumenical conference with religious leaders from the greater Hartford area, and a meeting to observe a youth summer program at the Northwest Hartford Boys and Girls Club.
 


Spring 2006 interns

Spring 2006 interns in Congressman Larson’s Washington office: Alison Chiaramonte from Sherman, Dennis Carroll from Windsor, Norma Moreno from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, and Nicole Della Rocco from Windsor.  Their service to the First Congressional District is much appreciated.


Larson & Cielo

Congressman Larson met with Joy Cielo of Newington High School on July 20.  She was visiting Washington as part of the National Young Leaders Conference.


Congressman Larson led an hour-long “Iraq Watch” debate on July 10.  Larson was joined by Reps. William Delahunt (D-MA), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Tom Allen (D-ME).  Watch the video or read the text. Download Acrobat Reader


Larson awards medal

On July 5, Congressman Larson awarded Bristol resident Francis Quigley with medals he earned during his service in World War II.  Quigley served as a corporal in the Army Air Force and received two Presidential Unit Citations, a Good Conduct Medal (Army), an Honorable Service Lapel Button, two Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medals, and a World War II Victory Medal.
  


Larson and Democratic leaders

The House Democratic Leadership unveiled their domestic agenda on June 29.  The New Direction for America aims to make health care more affordable, lower gas prices and achieve energy independence, help working families, cut college costs, ensure dignified retirement and require the government to be fiscally responsible.  Congressman Larson also pointed out the systemic lack of accountability and oversight by the Administration, highlighted by the breach of veterans’ privacy last month when thousands of records were stolen from an an employee’s laptop computer.

Read about a New Direction for America
 


Larson on House floor

On June 26, Congressman Larson led an hour-long debate on our Iraq policy, plans for bringing peace and stability to the region, and amnesty for Iraqi insurgents who have killed Americans.  Larson has introduced H.J. Res. 90 to declare the United States’ opposition to the granting of amnesty for Iraqis who kill Americans.  Larson also took time to honor the 150 members of the 1048th Transportation Company of the Connecticut National Guard who deployed to Iraq on June 25.  Watch the video or read the text of the debate. Download Acrobat Reader
 


Larson press conference

On June 21, Congressman Larson and Congressman James Clyburn were joined by a number of colleagues to introduce a resolution declaring that the United States opposes efforts by the Government of Iraq to grant amnesty to persons known to have attacked, kidnapped, wounded, or killed members of the Armed Forces or American citizens.  Speaking on behalf of the resolution were House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Ike Skelton and Congressman Jack Murtha. 
 


On June 15, Congressman Larson participated in the House floor debate on H.Res. 861, the resolution praising the President’s failed policies in Iraq.  No alternatives were allowed to be offered and the resolution was not designed to provide a new direction in Iraq or to bring the country together by leveling with our troops or our citizens.  Larson can be seen wearing a “Redeploy and Be Ready” sticker in support of the plan offered by Representative Jack Murtha for moving forward in Iraq.  Watch Larson’s four minute speech or read his statement.
 


Larson with students

On June 13, Congressman Larson met with state winners of the History Day in Connecticut contest, which is part of the National History Day program. State winners are invited to attend the National History Day contest at the University of Maryland with over 2,000 other students from across the country. This annual competition engages students in grades 6-12 in the process of researching and interpreting a historical topic of their choice related to the theme of Taking a Stand in History: People, Places, Ideas.  The winners were Paul Omichinski of Burlington, Alana Blum of Burlington, and Kathryn Greenwood of Bloomfield.


Larson and Hartford representatives

Congressman Larson met with members of the Connecticut General Assembly representing Hartford to discuss plans to stop violence in Hartford and rebuild the North End.  Attending the meeting were Representatives Douglas McCory, Ken Green, Marie Kirkley-Bey, and Senator Eric Coleman.


Larson and Job Corps students

On June 8, Congressman Larson met with participants in the Hartford Job Corps program.  The Hartford Job Corps Academy opened in the Fall of 2005 on the site of the former Charter Oak Housing complex.  The Academy provides education and vocational training to 200 young people from the Hartford area each year.


Larson & Grabowskis

Congressman Larson was visited in Washington by constituents Ted and Robin Grabowski on June 7.


Larson and Olmert

Congressman Larson greeted Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert before he addressed the United States Congress on May 24.  As Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, Larson served on welcoming committee.


On May 10, Congressman Larson met with Erin McNamara of Bristol and Deana Peterson of Windsor Locks while they were in Washington to be recognized as 2006 “Stars of Life” by the American Ambulance Association.  The pair work for New Britain Emergency Medical Services and received the award for service above and beyond the call of duty.  Also pictured are former Congressman Toby Moffett and Jan Carbonneau, Associate Director of the New Britain Emergency Medical Services. 
 


Larson and Hall students Larson and Conard students

Congressman Larson met with students from Hall and Conard High School on May 3.  The students from West Hartford were in Washington taking part in the Close Up program.


Wethersfield Town Councilman Matthew Forrest met with Congressman Larson during a recent trip to Washington, DC in May.


Larson, Pelosi, Stark

On May 3, Congressman Larson spoke to reporters after the weekly Democratic Caucus meeting in support of a resolution to extend the May 15 deadline to sign up for the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit.  Larson was joined by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Pete Stark, the author of the Medicare Informed Choice Act, which would extend the deadline until the end of the year.  Larson is a cosponsor of the bill and has himself authored legislation to extend the deadline by two years.  Learn more about Larson’s stance on Medicare. 
 


art contest winner

Congressman Larson announced Ben Quesnel of East Windsor High School as the winner of the 2006 Congressional Arts Competition for the First District.  His oil painting will hang in the halls of Congress for one year with winners from each congressional district.  Second place went to Wes Kipphut of Berlin High School and third place went to Eric Scott from the Greater Hartford Academy of Arts.  Ben, left, displayed his winning painting with Chris Heron and Jeffrey Mayer, who joined Congressman Larson in congratulating the winners and participants.
 


On April 26, Congressman Larson met with Serj Tankian, lead singer of the band System of a Down to discuss the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.  Tarkian was participating in the annual Capitol Hill commemoration of the Armenian Genocide and visiting members of Congress to discuss the event.  Larson is a member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus.


Congressman Larson met with local firefighters, police officers, and elected officials at the Engine 1, Ladder 6 firehouse on April 12 to discuss the impact the President’s proposed budget would have on first responders.  The first responders shared anecdotally how cuts to FIRE grants, COPS grants, and Byrne JAG grants would be detrimental to their communities.


Congressman Larson participated in a flag raising ceremony on April 11 recognizing Hamilton Sundstrand in Windsor Locks for their efforts in achieving OSHA’s highest level of participation in their Voluntary Protection Program.  The VPP designation recognizes workplaces with excellent safety and health management systems and promotes them as model workplaces.  Congressman Larson was joined by Local 743 President Mark Hebert, General Vice President Lynn Tucker, Grand Lodge Representative Bill Rudis, and ADBR Jim Parent.


On April 6, Congressman Larson met with students from Weaver High School in Hartford visiting Washington as part of the Close Up Foundation’s citizenship education program.


Larson and Berlusconi

On March 1, Congressman Larson greeted Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi before he addressed the U.S. Congress.  Larson, as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, served on the welcoming committee.


 

On February 28, Congressman Larson met with Connecticut members of the Disabled American Veterans visiting Washington for their annual legislative conference.


Congressman Larson joined Science Center of Connecticut President Edward Forand and UP Aerospace President Eric Knight in front of a model of an UP Aerospace sound rocket that will be launched into space carrying student experiments in its payload. The science center is teaming up with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, an initiative that Larson spearheaded, to teach children about space and rocketry through participation in the launching.


On February 8, Congressman Larson was awarded by Ed Rhodes, Executive Director of the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, for his commitment to the shellfish industry.  Larson is co-chair of the Congressional Shellfish Caucus.


House Democratic leaders

Congressman Larson was elected Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus on February 1.  Larson is now the fourth ranking Democrat in the House behind Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Whip Steny Hoyer, and Caucus Chairman Jim Clyburn, pictured above immediately after the vote.  The Vice Chair’s main role is to provide support to the Caucus chair and Caucus members.

 


On January 26, Congressman Larson held a public forum at St. Joseph College in West Hartford to discuss nuclear nonproliferation.  Larson began the discussion with a screening of the docudrama “Last Best Chance” -- a film that explores the all-too-real danger of terrorists smuggling nuclear weapons in the U.S.

 

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