Congressman Larson visited O'Brien Elementary School and Pitkin Elementary School in East Hartford to take questions from students and encourage them to participate in Operation Enduring Gratitude.

Congressman Larson met with veterans from American Legion Post #142 in Hartford on October 15 to announce the introduction of the 21st Century Veterans Equitable Treatment Act (VET-21). Larson's bill would improve access to quality healthcare for our nation's veterans.

Congressman Larson held a second town hall meeting in Manchester on October 20 to discuss the recent vote in Congress to authorize the President to take preemptive, unilateral action in Iraq and the issues impacted by this decision.

Congressman Larson met with over 300 Connecticut residents at a town hall meeting in West Hartford to discuss the possibility of U.S. military action in Iraq and the upcoming vote in Congress giving the President the authority to use force.  Larson also spent time hearing comments and taking questions on the subject from the crowd.

Congressman Larson held a videoconference with a group of young members of the Lions Club at the Hartford Armory on September 11 to kick off Operation Enduring Gratitude.  The students were the first in the nation to participate in the letter writing campaign to members of the military to thank them for their service.

Congressman Larson was joined by Major John Whitford of the Connecticut National Guard on September 9 to introduce the beginning of Operation Enduring Gratitude.  The initiative calls on state residents to write and email members of the U.S. military to thank them for their service and sacrifices.

Congressman Larson and Summer 2002 interns Ryan Gallagher, Christa Joyner, Victoria Britton, Whitley Herndon, Julie Kim, and Andy Meehan.

Congressman Larson recently visited the Middle East to meet with foreign leaders and visit the troops.  While in Qatar, Congressman Larson met several service members from Connecticut who proudly displayed the state flag.

Congressman Larson announced at the South Windsor Fire Headquarters on August 1 that he will propose legislation to protect local volunteer firefighters and EMTs from having compensation many receive for their services taxed by the IRS.  Larson, whose father was a firefighter, has long been a supporter of emergency responders and is a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.

On July 17, Representative Larson spoke with college interns from the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS).  Larson discussed a number of important current issues and his experience as a Member of Congress with the students.  APAICS intern Julie Kim is working in Larson's DC office for the summer.

Representative John Larson met with Captain Todd A. Bryer, USA, who recently was named recipient of the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award. He was joined by his father, Stephen Bryer of South Windsor.

Representative John Larson announced on May 2, 2002, that he and nineteen colleagues will introduce the Aeronautics Research & Development Revitalization Act. This bill will establish a broad-based agenda to reinvigorate America’s aeronautics and aviation R&D enterprise and maintain America’s competitive leadership in aviation.

Congressman John Larson and Senator Chris Dodd announced on March 25 that they would introduce legislation to initiate a feasibility study of the Coltsville property in Hartford as a first step in gaining an historic designation for the area. Standing alongside Larson and Dodd is Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez. Larson will also lead a group to visit Lowell, MA, to observe the successful downtown national park in that city.

Congressman John Larson met with NASA Astronaut Daniel Tani on March 20. Tani served on the Space Shuttle Endeavour mission in December 2001 to the International Space Station. Learn more about the mission on the NASA web site. Mission Specialist Tani met with Representative Larson to discuss his experience during the mission and the research to be conducted onboard the International Space Station. Representative Larson sits on the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee of the House Science Committee.

On March 13, Representative Larson met with students from East Windsor High School visiting Washington, D.C. as part of the Close Up Foundation's citizenship education program.

Participants from the Artists Collective in Hartford visited Representative Larson's office on March 12. The Artists Collective provides urban youth with a an alternative through the performing and visual arts.

Congressman John Larson reads to students at Anna Norris Elementary School in East Hartford on March 1, National Read Across America Day. The day is a project of the National Education Association and coincides each year with the birthday of Dr. Seuss, the author of The Cat in the Hat. Its purpose is for every child to be reading in the company of a caring adult on that day. Larson also read at Wappping Elementary School in South Windsor and Silver Lane Elementary School in East Hartford.

Dr. John Cassidy, Senior Vice President, Science and Technology with United Technologies Corporation in Hartford, spoke before the House Science Committee's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Research on March 7. The hearing, "A Review of Civil Aeronautics Research and Development," can be viewed using RealPlayer on the Science Committee website. Representative Larson is a member of the Subcommittee and questioned witnesses on the future of the aerospace industry.

Representative Larson meets with Jacob Licht from Hall High School in West Hartford. Jacob was awarded as a finalist in the 61st Annual Intel Science Talent Search for his study of the Rainbow Ramsey Theory. Read Larson's commendation of Jacob in the Congressional Record.

Representative Larson speaks to students at Goodwin Elementary School in East Hartford on February 15 in honor of President's Day.