Floor SpeechNeutral2026-07-14

HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CONNIE CLERY

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On 2026-07-14, Representative Jim Costa (D-CA-21) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CONNIE CLERY" in the House.

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HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CONNIE CLERY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E688] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CONNIE CLERY ______ HON. JIM COSTA of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life and legacy of Connie Clery, a courageous advocate for campus safety, victims' rights, and public accountability, who passed away on June 23, 2026, at the age of 95. Born Constance Benjamin Clery, Connie devoted her life to serving others with compassion, resilience, and determination. While she will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, she is equally remembered as a national leader whose advocacy reshaped how institutions of higher education respond to campus crime and student safety. Connie's journey as an advocate began following the heartbreaking loss of her daughter, Jeanne Clery, who was tragically murdered in her residence hall at Lehigh University in 1986. Rather than allowing grief to define her family, Connie transformed this unimaginable loss into action. Alongside her husband, Howard Clery, she dedicated herself to ensuring that no other family would endure the same preventable tragedy. Together, the Clery family founded Security on Campus Inc., now known as the Clery Center, an organization committed to promoting safer college campuses through education, prevention, and advocacy. Under Connie's leadership, the organization became a national voice for transparency, empowering students and families with information while encouraging colleges and universities to prioritize campus safety. Connie's perseverance helped inspire the passage of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, known as the Clery Act. This landmark federal law requires colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid to publicly disclose campus crime statistics and issue timely warnings about threats to campus communities. This Act fundamentally changed the safety and transparency of higher education, ensuring safety for millions of students. Throughout the years, Connie remained a steadfast advocate for victims' rights and institutional accountability. Alongside her husband Howard, she helped advance more than 30 state and federal laws designed to improve campus safety and strengthen victims' rights. Even after stepping down from leading the organization she co-founded, Connie remained deeply engaged as Chairwoman Emerita of the Clery Center, continuing to mentor advocates and inspire institutions committed to creating safer learning environments. Her actions and courage continue to fuel a national movement that has protected countless lives and families. Above all, Connie was a devoted wife to Howard Clery, Jr. For 51 years, a loving mother to Howard, III, Benjamin, and Jeanne, and a proud grandmother and friend. While her work became known across the Nation, her family remained at the heart of everything she did, and Connie's memory continued to inspire her life's mission. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Connie Clery for her extraordinary service to students and the countless lives that will never know the danger she worked so tirelessly to prevent. May her legacy continue to inspire others to serve with integrity, compassion, and purpose. ____________________

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HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CONNIE CLERY Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E688] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CONNIE CLERY ______ HON. JIM COSTA of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life and legacy of Connie Clery, a courageous advocate for campus safety, victims' rights, and public accountability, who passed away on June 23, 2026, at the age of 95. Born Constance Benjamin Clery, Connie devoted her life to serving others with compassion, resilience, and determination. While she will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, she is equally remembered as a national leader whose advocacy reshaped how institutions of higher education respond to campus crime and student safety. Connie's journey as an advocate began following the heartbreaking loss of her daughter, Jeanne Clery, who was tragically murdered in her residence hall at Lehigh University in 1986. Rather than allowing grief to define her family, Connie transformed this unimaginable loss into action. Alongside her husband, Howard Clery, she dedicated herself to ensuring that no other family would endure the same preventable tragedy. Together, the Clery family founded Security on Campus Inc., now known as the Clery Center, an organization committed to promoting safer college campuses through education, prevention, and advocacy. Under Connie's leadership, the organization became a national voice for transparency, empowering students and families with information while encouraging colleges and universities to prioritize campus safety. Connie's perseverance helped inspire the passage of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, known as the Clery Act. This landmark federal law requires colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid to publicly disclose campus crime statistics and issue timely warnings about threats to campus communities. This Act fundamentally changed the safety and transparency of higher education, ensuring safety for millions of students. Throughout the years, Connie remained a steadfast advocate for victims' rights and institutional accountability. Alongside her husband Howard, she helped advance more than 30 state and federal laws designed to improve campus safety and strengthen victims' rights. Even after stepping down from leading the organization she co-founded, Connie remained deeply engaged as Chairwoman Emerita of the Clery Center, continuing to mentor advocates and inspire institutions committed to creating safer learning environments. Her actions and courage continue to fuel a national movement that has protected countless lives and families. Above all, Connie was a devoted wife to Howard Clery, Jr. For 51 years, a loving mother to Howard, III, Benjamin, and Jeanne, and a proud grandmother and friend. While her work became known across the Nation, her family remained at the heart of everything she did, and Connie's memory continued to inspire her life's mission. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Connie Clery for her extraordinary service to students and the countless lives that will never know the danger she worked so tirelessly to prevent. May her legacy continue to inspire others to serve with integrity, compassion, and purpose. ____________________