Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-06-03

CELEBRATING THE HONORABLE MARY MUSHINSKY ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM PUBLIC SERVICE

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Context

On 2026-06-03, Representative Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT-3) delivered a floor speech titled "CELEBRATING THE HONORABLE MARY MUSHINSKY ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM PUBLIC SERVICE" in the House.

Full Text

CELEBRATING THE HONORABLE MARY MUSHINSKY ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM PUBLIC SERVICE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 94 (Wednesday, June 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 3, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E515] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE HONORABLE MARY MUSHINSKY ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM PUBLIC SERVICE ______ HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO of connecticut in the house of representatives Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the Wallingford community in celebrating the career of my good friend, State Representative Mary Mushinsky, as she retires after serving more than forty years in the Connecticut General Assembly. A legislator, mentor, community leader, and friend, Mary has served the Town of Wallingford, its residents, and the State of Connecticut with integrity and compassion, leaving a legacy of public service to which we should all strive. Mary's passion for public service is rooted in her deep interest in and commitment to environmental activism, consumer advocacy and improved energy policies. A biologist, Mary has been the leading proponent in the Connecticut legislature of major environmental legislation since she was first elected in 1980. Mary has served on the legislature's Environment Committee since she was first elected and in that time she has focused much of her energies on developing and implementing public policies that have put Connecticut at the forefront of the debate on environmental protections. Over her first two decades in the General Assembly, she headed legislative efforts that resulted in mandatory recycling, packaging reduction, open-space preservation, global warming mitigation and endangered species protection laws. Mary's work became the cornerstone of both statewide and local environmental policy, which is still being built upon today. Over the years, Mary and I have worked together on numerous projects to preserve and protect habitats here in Connecticut, but I clearly recall her staunch advocacy for the Quinnipiac Linear Trail--a multi- town recreational trail that follows the original route of the Meriden, Waterbury, and Connecticut River Railroad. Through Mary's efforts and engagement with this project, we were able to secure federal funding to move the project forward. Now complete, it runs from Community Lake Park to Fireworks Island, is a paved and mostly level trail through cedar junipers and red maples that offers views of a stone labyrinth, and one of the state's largest Red Oaks. Mary's involvement in this effort has continued to this day and she is currently serving as co- chair of the Quinnipiac River Linear Trail Advisory Committee. Mary's commitment to environmental stewardship extends well beyond her work in the Connecticut General Assembly. She has dedicated both her professional and personal time to these efforts. When not fulfilling her roles as a legislator or Executive Director of the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association, she can often be found guiding canoe trips or taking in the beauty of Connecticut's nature trails. She also served on the Wallingford Energy Conservation Commission, which promoted the energy audit and energy management recommendations now implemented by the Town of Wallingford school system. Mary is also a member and the legislative liaison for the Coalition for a Better Wallingford, which seeks to reduce drug and alcohol abuse. During my tenure as the United States Representative from Connecticut's 3rd Congressional District, I have had the opportunity not only to work with Mary but to build a valued friendship with her as well. Mary is an advocate, mentor, teacher, and steward like no other-- spending countless hours educating, training, and inspiring the next generation of environmental advocates and leaders. I am honored to stand today to join her husband, Martin, their two sons, Martin and Edward as well as the Wallingford community to extend my deepest thanks, sincere appreciation, and heartfelt congratulations to Mary Mushinsky as she marks the end of her legislative career. Mary's tenacious advocacy will certainly be missed in the halls of Connecticut's capitol building as well as by the thousands of people and families she served. ____________________

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CELEBRATING THE HONORABLE MARY MUSHINSKY ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM PUBLIC SERVICE Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 94 (Wednesday, June 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 3, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E515] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE HONORABLE MARY MUSHINSKY ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM PUBLIC SERVICE ______ HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO of connecticut in the house of representatives Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the Wallingford community in celebrating the career of my good friend, State Representative Mary Mushinsky, as she retires after serving more than forty years in the Connecticut General Assembly. A legislator, mentor, community leader, and friend, Mary has served the Town of Wallingford, its residents, and the State of Connecticut with integrity and compassion, leaving a legacy of public service to which we should all strive. Mary's passion for public service is rooted in her deep interest in and commitment to environmental activism, consumer advocacy and improved energy policies. A biologist, Mary has been the leading proponent in the Connecticut legislature of major environmental legislation since she was first elected in 1980. Mary has served on the legislature's Environment Committee since she was first elected and in that time she has focused much of her energies on developing and implementing public policies that have put Connecticut at the forefront of the debate on environmental protections. Over her first two decades in the General Assembly, she headed legislative efforts that resulted in mandatory recycling, packaging reduction, open-space preservation, global warming mitigation and endangered species protection laws. Mary's work became the cornerstone of both statewide and local environmental policy, which is still being built upon today. Over the years, Mary and I have worked together on numerous projects to preserve and protect habitats here in Connecticut, but I clearly recall her staunch advocacy for the Quinnipiac Linear Trail--a multi- town recreational trail that follows the original route of the Meriden, Waterbury, and Connecticut River Railroad. Through Mary's efforts and engagement with this project, we were able to secure federal funding to move the project forward. Now complete, it runs from Community Lake Park to Fireworks Island, is a paved and mostly level trail through cedar junipers and red maples that offers views of a stone labyrinth, and one of the state's largest Red Oaks. Mary's involvement in this effort has continued to this day and she is currently serving as co- chair of the Quinnipiac River Linear Trail Advisory Committee. Mary's commitment to environmental stewardship extends well beyond her work in the Connecticut General Assembly. She has dedicated both her professional and personal time to these efforts. When not fulfilling her roles as a legislator or Executive Director of the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association, she can often be found guiding canoe trips or taking in the beauty of Connecticut's nature trails. She also served on the Wallingford Energy Conservation Commission, which promoted the energy audit and energy management recommendations now implemented by the Town of Wallingford school system. Mary is also a member and the legislative liaison for the Coalition for a Better Wallingford, which seeks to reduce drug and alcohol abuse. During my tenure as the United States Representative from Connecticut's 3rd Congressional District, I have had the opportunity not only to work with Mary but to build a valued friendship with her as well. Mary is an advocate, mentor, teacher, and steward like no other-- spending countless hours educating, training, and inspiring the next generation of environmental advocates and leaders. I am honored to stand today to join her husband, Martin, their two sons, Martin and Edward as well as the Wallingford community to extend my deepest thanks, sincere appreciation, and heartfelt congratulations to Mary Mushinsky as she marks the end of her legislative career. Mary's tenacious advocacy will certainly be missed in the halls of Connecticut's capitol building as well as by the thousands of people and families she served. ____________________