HARTFORD – The Senate Clerk's office has tabulated the results of Senate votes during the 2009 regular and special legislative sessions and confirmed that state Senator Andrew Roraback (R-30th) cast all 592 votes which took place this year.

Since beginning his service in the General Assembly on January 4, 1995, Senator Roraback has cast 7,432 votes and has been present for every vote taken in his fifteen legislative sessions. After serving six years in the House of Representatives and nine years in the Senate, Senator Roraback is the only member of the 187-member General Assembly who can claim this record.

“Voting on behalf of the people of my district is the most important responsibility I have as a state Senator,” said Senator Roraback. “I am privileged to represent a district whose residents pride themselves on hard work and civic engagement. I feel fortunate that neither illness nor any other emergency has interfered with my ability to work on their behalf.”

Senator Roraback, the Deputy Senate Minority Leader Pro Tempore and Minority Caucus Chairman of the Connecticut State Senate, represents the 30th District communities of Brookfield, Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Milford, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Torrington, Warren, Washington and Winsted.

*Legislative rules have required Senator Roraback to abstain from six votes taken in the fifteen years he has served.

For Immediate Release

Waterbury, CT – Today the Caligiuri campaign announced the latest addition to its staff, Gregg Cogswell as campaign manager.

“Gregg brings the experience of someone who knows and understands the landscape of the district, and has played critical roles in several campaigns in the Fifth. I am fortunate to have Gregg spearheading our campaign against Chris Murphy next year, and know that he can lead us in building the kind of organization we need to win next November,” said Caligiuri.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Caligiuri campaign at a time when our district needs a strong, proven leader to defeat Chris Murphy next year. Sam is that leader, and I look forward to growing the already substantial base of support for his candidacy,” said Cogswell.

Cogswell held key positions in the campaigns of Torrington Mayor Ryan Bingham and former State Representative Anne Ruwet, and led the Torrington Republicans in two consecutive sweeps of municipal elections in 2007 and 2009. He is currently a Legislative Aide to Senator Kevin D. Witkos in Connecticut’s 8^th Senatorial District, which covers eleven municipalities throughout the Farmington Valley. He has also served as the Legislative Aide to former State Senator Robert D. Russo of Bridgeport. Prior to joining the Senate Republican staff, Cogswell was a coordinator for former Rep. Rob Simmons’ Congressional campaign in 2006, and subsequently an aide to the State House Republican Caucus. He has also served as Chairman of the Torrington Republican Town Committee since 2008, but will be resigning his post as Chairman to dedicate his full attention to the Caligiuri campaign.

Cogswell is a lifelong resident of Torrington. He currently serves on the Connecticut Child Poverty and Prevention Council, and the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee. He is also a past member of the Torrington Board of Assessment Appeals.

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For Immediate Release

Waterbury, CT – This morning the Caligiuri for Congress campaign received its biggest endorsement to date. The Hon. Nancy Johnson, who represented Connecticut in Congress from 1983-2007, endorsed the candidacy of Sam Caligiuri for the Congressional seat she formally held.

“Having served in Congress for 24 years, I know first-hand the pressure and temptation to take the easy road on any given vote. Whether that pressure comes from party leadership, the White House, or special interest lobbyists, the people of Connecticut’s Fifth district needs a member of Congress who understands the varied interests affected by pending legislation, and then puts the public interest first and foremost.

Sam Caligiuri has demonstrated both as Acting Mayor of Waterbury and as a State Senator his understanding of the needs of his constituents and has repeatedly stood up for what he believes serves them best, even if that meant standing alone against fierce pressures. With the growing problems our country is facing, we need leaders like Sam Caligiuri in Congress. He has the vision to introduce creative solutions to pressing problems and the courage to do what is right and not what is just popular or politically expedient.

I believe Sam Caligiuri can and will win this race and will become an outstanding leader in Congress on behalf of the people of the Fifth District. I am happy to endorse Sam Caligiuri for Congress and encourage the people of the Fifth District to join Sam in his effort to become their next Congressman.”

“I am truly honored to receive the endorsement of Nancy Johnson, with whom I have worked for many years. Nancy served our district with uncompromising dedication and commitment. As our campaign for Congress continues to pick up support, I can think of no other individual whose support and insights I value more than Nancy Johnson’s,” said Caligiuri.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H. Res. 743, a resolution honoring the life of Roxbury, Connecticut resident Frank McCourt for his many contributions to American literature, education, and culture. Murphy introduced the resolution after McCourt’s death in July of this year.

“Frank was dearly-loved throughout his community as a warm, friendly neighbor who was always willing to roll up his sleeves and get involved in local causes and charities. The wit and generous spirit that defined his writing was familiar to anyone who knew Frank – he was a fiery, vital presence,” said Murphy in a statement.

As an author, McCourt was best known for his best-selling series of memoirs, including the Pulitzer-prize winning 1996 work Angela’s Ashes. Years before he became a literary icon, however, he was best known among thousands of New York City high school students as a passionate and committed teacher, holding his classes spellbound with his rapturous stories.

Murphy wrote the resolution, along with Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2), to honor McCourt’s memory, and for McCourt’s wife Ellen and their family.

“Frank spent his life shaping young people’s lives as a teacher and sharing his writings with the world. Frank McCourt will be missed by not just those who honor him today in Congress, but by the millions around the world whose lives he touched,” concluded Murphy.