News
Bysiewicz dedicates 2009 ‘Blue Book’ to NCAA National Champion UConn women’s basketball team
By [unknown placeholder $article.art_field1$]
Oct 15, 2009 - 7:58 PM

Storrs, CT - Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz today dedicated the 2009 State Register and Manual, otherwise known as the “Blue Book,” to the 2009 NCAA National Champion University of Connecticut Women’s Basketball, a team that compiled a perfect 39-0 record on its way to winning the University’s 6th national title for Women’s Basketball. Secretary Bysiewicz also posthumously honored legendary 19th century educator and humanitarian Prudence Crandall, as well as two members of the military from Connecticut who recently gave their lives in the line of duty – Marine Corporal Christian S. Cotner, who died in Iraq on May 30, 2008 and Army First Lieutenant Thomas J. Brown, who also died in Iraq on September 23, 2008.

“The 2008-2009 University of Connecticut Women’s Basketball Team yet again defined for all of us what perfection means,” said Secretary Bysiewicz. “At a time when many in Connecticut and throughout the country were facing economic uncertainty, these young women and the coaching staff under the direction of Head Coach Geno Auriemma inspired us all and showed what is possible if you work hard every day and excel at your craft, setting aside some of your own personal desires so the team as a whole can succeed. We should all take this lesson to heart.”

Bysiewicz continued, “The story of Prudence Crandall, who courageously gave of herself to educate African-American school girls nearly 200 years ago, is one that deserves to be told. We honor her service and sacrifice, as well as that of Marine Corporal Christian S Cotner and Army Lieutenant Thomas J. Brown – two members of the military from Connecticut who selflessly gave their own lives in defense of our freedom and national security.”

“We are proud to share this year’s dedication of the Blue Book with Christian S. Cotner and Thomas J. Brown, two young men from Connecticut who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for our country in Iraq,” said University of Connecticut President Michael Hogan. “It is also meaningful to me that we are sharing this year’s dedication with Prudence Crandall, the state Heroine of Connecticut. I believe that Ms. Crandall would be quite pleased at how far we have come.”

The Office of the Secretary of the State publishes the State Register and Manual every year, which is also referred to as the “Blue Book.” This book contains the state and federal constitutions, and is essentially an encyclopedia of demographic and political information on elections in Connecticut and all 169 municipalities. 2009 is the 122nd year that the Secretary of the State’s office has published the Blue Book. Each year this official register and guide serves as a valuable reference for everyday citizens, along with lawmakers, reporters, historians, teachers and students.

In 2009 Secretary Bysiewicz’s office has published more than 9,000 of these books and many will be distributed to schools, municipalities, and libraries across the state, as well as lawmakers, government officials and private citizens. Far beyond containing the interesting and trivial, the Blue Book serves an official snap shot of Connecticut.

“Among other things, the Blue Books will inform people when their local taxes are due and help residents learn about the state they live in. For instance, it contains the entire federal and state Constitutions and historical information such as the State Hero (Nathan Hale) and even the state Fish (the American Shad) but also a historical record of who served in various positions in state government dating back to the mid 1600s (for instance, Connecticut’s first Secretary of the State was Edward Hopkins, who served who served from 1639-1641),” said Bysiewicz, “The Blue Book also tells us that 1,646,797 Connecticut residents cast ballots in the 2008 presidential election which is the highest total in our state’s history!”

Accepting the Blue Books on behalf of the families of the fallen troops with Connecticut ties was Colonel Ron Welch of the Connecticut National Guard. Each soldier’s family will receive a complimentary copy of the book signed by Secretary Bysiewicz. Those honorees awarded the distinction posthumously for 2009 are: Marine Corporal Christian S. Cotner of Waterbury; and Army First Lieutenant Thomas J. Brown who grew up in Shelton. Both were killed in the line of duty in Iraq.

Before holding a moment of silence at today’s dedication ceremony for the fallen members of the military, Secretary Bysiewicz said of their families, “It is my hope that this book serves as some comfort to them that Connecticut honors the sacrifice they have made for our freedom. Their service will never be forgotten.”

In recent years, the State Register and Manual has been dedicated to women who represented Connecticut in Congress, pioneers of scientific research in Connecticut, civil rights leaders Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King and Constance Baker Motley, writers Harriet Beecher Stowe and Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), members of the military from Connecticut, victims of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, former Congressman and explorer Hiram Bingham IV, and many others.

For more information about the Blue Book and to order a copy, visit the Secretary of the State’s web site www.sots.ct.gov or call 860-509-6200.

© Copyright by StamfordPlus.com





© Copyright by StamfordPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of StamfordPlus.com, Stamford Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar.