WASHINGTON – Legislation to name a Hartford post office in honor of former Democratic Congresswoman Barbara B. Kennelly is on its way to the Senate for approval. Senators Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., introduced the legislation in July 2003 and the Governmental Affairs Committee approved the measure Wednesday. The House passed companion legislation July 25th.
“Barbara represents the very best attributes of a great leader and a wonderful friend,” said Dodd. “For 16 years I served alongside her in Congress and can say from the bottom of my heart that her vision and dedication to our state and to her constituents was unmatched. The naming of this post office is befitting a woman of her stature.” “Barbara is a dear friend, a former member of the House of Representatives, and an outstanding citizen of Connecticut who has dedicated her life to public service on behalf of the citizens of our great state,” said Lieberman. “It is long past time, and the very least that we can do, to pay tribute to her in this small but lasting way.” Barbara Kennelly served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983-1999. Kennelly, the daughter of former Connecticut Governor John M. Bailey, and sister of former States Attorney Jack Bailey, also served as a member of the Hartford City Council and as Connecticut’s Secretary of State. Her late husband James was a Speaker of the Connecticut House. She now serves as President of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. The postal facility is located at 141 Weston Street in Hartford, CT. Click below to Read Lieberman’s full statement on Barbara Kennelly, submitted on behalf of himself and Senator Chris Dodd