In Memory of Cathy Thomas

Floor Speech

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Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to observe and mourn the passing of one of the pillars of civic life in the Northeastern Corner of the state of Connecticut, Cathy Thomas. Sadly, Cathy passed away on November 26, 2019 surrounded by family and friends at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, Connecticut.

Madam Speaker, Cathy served for 40 years as the Chair of the Thompson Democratic Town Committee--a record that I am confident will never be broken. In that role, Cathy supported hundreds and hundreds of candidates for town, state and federal office, generously volunteering her time to the nuts and bolts of campaigns--organizing conventions, lining up delegates, filing the critical paperwork to ensure ballot access and most of all, giving wise, common sense counsel to public officials about what the important issues were and how to talk about them, and address them. Forty years ago, Cathy was a pioneer political leader paving the way for women to occupy positions of power. Over time, the respect she garnered with her quiet, steely manner became an inspiration for other women to succeed in public office. It was truly fitting that she was awarded the 2019 Ella Grasso Women's Leadership Award this year. This is a special honor reserved to an elite group of Women in Connecticut named after the first woman in America to be elected the governor of a state in her own right. I personally experienced and benefitted from Cathy's dedicated work during all my campaigns for Congress. I will be forever grateful to her for her unstinting, unselfish help.

Her life was not solely defined by politics and government. Cathy grew up in Thompson and attended Annhurst College and Nichols College where she received her degree in accounting. She worked as an accountant for many years at Davis publications in Worcester, Massachusetts. She was close to her brother Paul LaRoche of North Grosvenordale and had many friends in town with whom she enjoyed going to concerts, the beach, and Kittery, Maine. She was also an avid New York Yankees fan, living in an area that leans in favor of the Red Sox. Nonetheless, she reveled in the rivalry.

Cathy's passing is a big loss for Northeastern Connecticut and was felt far and wide by all who knew her and will miss her. Madam Speaker, I ask the House to please join me in expressing our deepest condolences to her family and friends

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