Murphy To Meet Constituents In New Britain Saturday, Jan. 10
Donations For Food Bank To Be Collected

Less than a week after the opening of the 111th Congress, U.S. Rep Chris Murphy will be back in New Britain Saturday, January 10th, to meet and greet constituents and collect non-perishable food donations.

Murphy, who garnered 80 percent of the vote in the city on Nov. 4th, plans to be at the New Britain Stop & Shop on West Main Street at 2 p.m. on one of his regular listening stops in the 41-town 5th Congressional District. Non-perishable food items for a newly-opened pantry in the city will be welcome.

Focus To Be Health Care In 2nd Term

Murphy is beginning a second term and he immediately indicates that health care will be a priority in the current session with his appointment to the Energy and Commerce Committee. In a statement released today, Murphy's office announced the additional assignment of serving on the Energy and Commerce Committee's Health Subcommittee. In the state Senate, Murphy served as Co-Chair of the General Assembly's Public Health Committee

According to Murphy's office, "the influential subcommittee will be responsible for crafting landmark health legislation, extending health benefits to millions of America's children, unlocking the promise of stem cell research, and ensuring America's food and drug safety."

Said Murphy: "This subcommittee will be the epicenter of any health care reform debate in the coming Congress, and I am thrilled to have the chance to be at the table to represent Connecticut in these deliberations.

"I am pleased to have the chance to continue the work I started in Hartford, as the Chair of the Public Health Committee. Now more than ever, as our economy is teetering and we are seeing its ugly cracks, we have to make changes that will pay off in the long run. And an investment in a universal and cost efficient health care system will go a long way toward improving the lives of families and the balance sheets of businesses.

"I am looking forward to working with the members of this influential subcommittee - some of the brightest minds in the nation - to make our vision for equal access to quality, affordable health care a reality."

Photo: Rep. Murphy and Ward 3 Alderwoman Shirley Black on the campaign trail

More information is available at http://chrismurphy.house.gov/

6 January 2009

Celebrating A New President: New Britain Democrats' Reception On 1/20/2009

The New Britain Democratic Town Committee and the city's Black Democratic Club will hold an Inauguration Day Reception on Tuesday, January 20th, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Pride of Connecticut, Lodge of Elks, 24 Elm Street, New Britain.

All Democrats and friends are welcome to attend the celebration that will coincide with Inauguration Day activities in Washington, D.C. The festivities will be black tie optional :)

The suggested donation for the reception is $25 to the NBDTC. For tickets and information email newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com or call the Town Chair at 827-9469.

State Central Vacancy To Be Filled On January 15th; DTC Thanks Ned Statchen For His Service

Ned Statchen, a former New Britain DTC member, city commissioner and State Central Committeeman for the 6th Senatorial District, has re-located to the Unionville section of Farmington, and has resigned his seat on the 72-member state party committee.

In a letter to State Party Chair Nancy DiNardo Statchen said it "has been an honor to serve and represent Democrats of my district and a pleasure to work with and to get to know you, the staff and the other members of the State Central Committee. I was very pleased to play a role in electing the first woman to Chair the Democratic State Central Committee and I would like to say you have certainly earned my support with the great work you have done with the Committee."

Democratic Chairman John McNamara praised Statchen's service on the Town Committee and State Central and his continuing support and volunteer work on Democratic campaigns. "We wish Ned and his young family well in their new home and know we will continue to work with him on behalf of Democratic candidates and for the labor movement," said McNamara.

The 2006 Delegates to the the State Convention are being re-convened on Thursday, January 15th at 6:30 p.m. at the Italian Independent Political Club, 16 Harding Street, in Berlin to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term. The meeting is being convened by State Central Committeewoman Emma Pierce, who also serves as the state party treasurer.

City To Hold Breakfast and Ceremony On Rev. King's Holiday, January 19

The city's Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities will hold observances on the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, January 19th. The Commission is organizing a breakfast at Angelico's Restaurant at 9 a.m. to be followed at 10:30 a.m. by a program at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Park at the corner of Martin Luther King Drive and Stanley Street. For information call the Commission at 826-3410.

Deadline Passes For Justice of the Peace Swearing In; DTC Will Continue Nominations

With the January 5th deadline passed for Democratic Justices of the Peace to be sworn in for a new term at the Town Clerk's office, JPs who did not meet the deadline and interested Democrats may be nominated at a meeting of the Democratic Town Committee.

The next meeting of the Town Committee will be January 29th. Prospective Justices of the Peace are asked to demonstrate that they are volunteering in the community for a minimum of two hours per month. For more information email newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com