Connecticut Blue Star Mothers

Blue to Silver Program

Silver Star Families of America

We are dedicated to supporting and assisting

our wounded and their families.

Our goal is to recognize the blood sacrifice

of our wounded and remember their efforts

by honoring them with the

Silver Star Banner.

http://www.silverstarfamilies.org/

The Connecticut Blue Star Mothers are working with the Silver Star Families of America to support and bring honor to those who have been injured in the line of duty to our country. Basically we serve the wounded (past and present wars) in Connecticut, but are available to assist and support others throughout the world.

Please see our Connecticut information page on the Silver Star Families of America website:

http://www.silverstarfamilies.org/Connecticut.html

Also, we have information on the Blue to Silver Program itself along with resource information (such as applications for banners, donations, memberships, etc.) on our Blue to Silver message board: Blue to Silver

Too, our Silver Star message board with give you further information and backgroud on the Silver Star itself.

Blue To Gold Program

The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. and the United States Department of Defense have worked together to establish the Blue to Gold Program through which mothers can offer comfort and assistance at the time of a military death.

Working through Casualty Assistance Officers and/or Funeral Home Directors, the Blue Star Mothers within the program follow strick guidelines to ensure family privacy, security, and respect.

Please see a copy of our guidelines for the program within our Blue to Gold Section here on the website: Blue to Gold

The Connecticut Blue Star Mothers - CT Chapter One also offer to our Gold Star families various personal items of comfort and care through this program. Many we make ourselves (prayer shawls, memory books, cross stitch samplers, etc.) and some come from others (oil portraits of your loved one, portraits on wood, Gold Star pins, etc.). All are given at no cost to the family to show honor and appreciation for the tremendous sacrifices they have made. Messages within the Blue to Gold section Blue to Gold describe the various items we offer.

The Blue to Gold Program is an on going program. We seek to bring comfort at the time of loss and we also seek to continue to assist the families in any way that we can. All Gold Star Family members are welcome and will be given honorary membership to the Connecticut Blue Star Mothers Chapter.

Our Chapter began to form in May of 2006 and, thus we were not here at the time many of our CT military were lost in the war on terror. If we can assist you at this time, please contact us. If you would like to have any of the items we can offer, please let us know. If you would like to join with us to be a part of our family that cares for the troops and veterans, we welcome you.

For any questions concerning the Blue to Gold Program in Connecticut, please contact the Connecticut Blue to Gold State Liaison for the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., Rev. Lin McGee at: Email Blue.Star.Mothers.Rev.Lin.McGee@gmail.com

Phone: 860-379-1298 Address: 111 Marshall St. Winsted, CT 06098

Scholarship Program

CONNECTICUT BLUE STAR MOTHERS

Scholarships are being offered by the CT Blue Star Mothers.

The CT Blue Star Mothers are a non-profit, non-partisan, non-religious national Veterans Service Organization, which is chartered by congress. We offer support to mothers with children serving in the military.

The scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis to children of military personnel:

Active duty personnel
Deployed personnel
Veteran whom served in the theater of war

Winners will be selected on the basis of financial need, academic record and community activities.

Any interested military dependant may obtain an application form from the school guidance office or our website: www.ConnecticutBlueStarMothers.org

For more information please contact:

Scholarship Officer, Micky Milo Brxls@aol.com

Scholarship Information Sheet -- 2007

CONNECTICUT BLUE STAR MOTHERS

CT Chapter One

Scholarship information sheet:

There will be three scholarships awarded for the year 2007.

Any interested applicants may obtain the official application form from their school guidance counselor or from this website (application to be found on Scholarship message board, subject marked 'Scholarship Application' and/or in our website 'Documents' section).

Requirements:

1. Applicant must have a parent that is or was in the military.

2. Applicant must graduate from a Connecticut accredited high school and be eligible for entry into a university, college, technical school or professional school.

3. A certified transcript of high school grades is requested.

4. Winners will be selected on a competitive basis, financial need, academic record and community activities.

Applications must be returned to:

Micky Milo

PO Box 1018

Southport, CT 06890

BY MAY 15, 2007

Members of the scholarship committee shall make final selections and notify the three winners.

Disbursement will be made to the school.

The Connecticut Blue Star Mothers are a non-profit, non-partisan, non-religious national Veterans Service Organization, chartered by Congress.

Scholarship Application

CONNECTICUT BLUE STAR MOTHERS

NAME: _______________________________________________________________________

Last First Middle

Home Address: _________________________________________________________________

Street City State Zip

Phone #: __________________ Birth date: ______________ SSN: _______________

Father’s Name: _________________________ Mother’s Name: __________________________

Occupation: ____________________________ Occupation: _____________________________

Information on parent in military: ___________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Please attach FAFSA application.

List other Relatives whom are financially independent upon your parents or yourself:

Name: Birth date: Occupation:

______________________________________________________________________________

List Colleges, Institutions or training programs to which you have applied:

________________________________ _______________________________________

List any volunteer work that you have done in the past two years:

______________________________________________________________________________

Write a statement of your educational and goals:

______________________________________________________________________________

Describe your family financial circumstances:

______________________________________________________________________________

Anticipated educational expenses for the upcoming year:

Tuition: $________________________

Books: $_________________________

Board: $_________________________

Room: $_________________________

Travel: $_________________________

Supplies: $_______________________

Total: $_____________

Amount of financial support you expect from:

Parents: $_______________________

Relatives: $______________________

Scholarships: $___________________

Loans: $________________________

Self: $__________________________

Other sources: $__________________

Total: $_____________

Three letters of recommendation are required.

You or your parents are encouraged to include any additional information in support of your application. (Please attach)

I give my permission for my name and/or picture to appear in any media prepared for the purpose of informing the community about the CT Blue Star Mother scholarship program.

Please send the application to: Micky Milo

P.O. Box 1018

Southport, CT 06890

Please Attach Photo Here:

____________________________________________

Applicant’s Signature Date

We Are Not Able To Offer The Scholarship For The 2008 Year

We are sorry that we are not able to offer the scholarship program for the 2008 school year.

We do hope to offer this program again in the future and will notify schools and students when we are able to do this.

Thank you very much for your interest in this program. And best of luck to you in your studies and endeavors.

Connecticut Blue Star Mothers

Amanda Whalen - Making A Difference!

Please pass on to all those Vets. who may think that the "young" today will forget:

Here's the story:

Amanda's family has always made sure that she and her sister, Sarah, realize the importance of sacrifices that others have made to make this country what it is. Veteran Day this year was celebrated on Friday, Nov. 10th, and it was the second year that Amanda's school district had decided to keep school open, under the pretence that they could teach the students more about Veterans Day this way. But for Amanda, this was all a farce. She remembered last year Veteran Day came and went....there was no special ceremony at her High School, no announcement, not even a lesson in the eight classes she had.

For Amanda this was intolerable. "How could they do that, it's not right!", was something she'd say over and over, getting more and more angry.

This year she was determined not to let that happen!

Amanda decided to write a letter to her principle. In a population of over 1500 students how could one voice make a difference.

Here's how:

Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 4:09 PM

Subject: Veterans Day at WHS!!!

Hello,

It's Amanda Whalen. I'm in 10th grade and I just wanted to talk to you about Veterans Day. Last year we didn't do much and I'm afraid that this year, we wont. I would very much like to do something (in every class) having to do with Veterans Day. This is a very important day that I don't think anyone (talking about students) knows the importance of what these soldiers did for us. It breaks my heart to see students not understanding this. We just go on with our day not really realizing what Veterans Day is all about.

I participate in a motorcycle event in Washington DC every year, that's called, Rolling Thunder. This is an event where motorcyclists have come from around the world to attend and protest against, the authorities which have stop searching for the POW/MIAs. We have a huge ride/parade (well that size anyway). We end up at the Vietnam Veterans wall. As I've been going over the past 3 years, I've learned more about Veterans and about all the wars than I have in school. I've meet POW/MIAs, and soldiers from the very first wars up to Iraqi Freedom. What really bothers me about the students, is that they don't get it!!!!! They walk around school and talk about the soldiers like it's one big joke. I feel we need to make it apparent that they understand.

Now, I understand that we are most likely going to do something in History class but, I don't think that's enough!!!! We need to spend an entire day devoting our time to the soldiers who have died for our freedom, and who are currently risking their lives trying so hard to let us have freedom, jobs, everything that we take for granted!

So please, lets have the students (along with me) learn about this day and maybe... just maybe... we can change the way they/we look at life.

I would like to talk to you sometime if that's ok.

Just think about this... If we teach the students about what happened in the past, what these soldiers have done for us... then maybe they will have some respect for the things they/ we take for granted everyday. We just might be able to influence the way we think in our society.

Thanks for listening,

Amanda Whalen

Well, Amanda got called down to the Principals office...she thought she was in trouble................just the opposite.

They talked a while and he told her about the program they had proposed for Veteran Day, then asked her input on the program.......he then asked if they needed to do more.

She told him, it was O.K. He shared that his father was a military man and was he was impressed that she was so passionate about such an issue.

This restores my faith in the generations to come..........and realize.........our Vets. will never be forgotten.

Pass it along to anyone you think needs a boost!

Wreath Project

Connecticut Blue Star Mothers Wreath Project

We have an excellent project going called the 'Connecticut Blue Star Mothers Wreath'!!

Our Chapter would love to place your son or daughter's picture on our wreath!! Please ask us for a blue star to decorate or bring one you have already done!!!

You can place your star on the wreath at any of our monthly meetings or have someone else place it there for you. It is wonderful to have our children's pictures displayed at meetings, events, and parades!!!

Connecticut Blue Star Mothers License Plates!

JOURNAL OF THE SENATE

Friday, February 2, 2007

The Senate was called to order at 10: 59 a. m. in accordance with the provisions of Senate Rule 9(b), and under the authority of the President Pro Tempore and the Senate Minority Leader.

The prayer was offered by Acting Chaplain, Frank A. Forzano of South Windsor, Connecticut.

The following is the prayer:

Dear God, let us renew our faith in You and in ourselves so that by genuine and wholesome desire, our result will meet Your approval. Amen.

Pursuant to Senate Rule 9(b) the Senate is called into Session, by the Office of the Senate Clerk's under the authority of the President Pro Tempore and the Senate Minority Leader.

It is hereby moved that Senate Agenda Number 1, dated February 2, 2007, is adopted, the items on said Agenda shall be acted upon as indicated and that the Agenda shall be incorporated into the Senate Journal and Senate Transcript.

REPORTS

The following reports were received, read by the Clerk and referred to the Committees indicated:

Office of The Chief State's Attorney. Annual Ex Parte Orders Report for the calendar year 2006 as required by Section 54-47aa(g) of the Connecticut General Statutes. Received February 1, 2007.

The report was referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Connecticut State Library. Annual Report from the Commission for Educational Technology as required by Section 4d-80, of the Connecticut General Statutes. Received February 1, 2007.

The report was referred to the Committees on Education and Appropriations

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

SENATE AND HOUSE BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

In accordance with the provisions of Senate Rule 9(b), the first reading of the following bills and resolutions was waived, the list of bills and resolutions as prepared by the Clerks was accepted, and the bills and resolutions referred to the Committees as indicated thereon in concurrence:

SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN

S. B. No. 1083 (RAISED) SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN. 'AN ACT PROVIDING ADULT ADOPTED PERSONS WITH ACCESS TO INFORMATION IN THEIR ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATES', to permit adults who were adopted in this state to obtain a copy of their unaltered original birth certificate.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

S. B. No. 1084 (RAISED) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. 'AN ACT REORGANIZING LOCAL LAND USE COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND AGENCIES', to reorganize local land use agencies in each municipality in order to improve adoption and administration of local land use policies and regulations, thereby providing benefits to municipalities, the general public and other participants in land use planning and regulation.

S. B. No. 1085 (RAISED) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING ZONING APPEALS', to clarify land use statutes by providing for a uniform appeals process for special permits and exceptions.

S. B. No. 1086 (RAISED) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE TIMELY DETERMINATION OF LOCAL LAND USE DECISIONS', to establish a process for determining the completeness of an application before municipal land use boards, and to promote adherence to the statutory time frame for processing and making final municipal decisions on land use applications.

S. B. No. 1087 (RAISED) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING ASSESSMENT OF CERTAIN INCOME RESTRICTED HOUSING', to revise assessment methods of government-assisted housing so that valuation of such housing is fair and consistent.

GENERAL LAW

S. B. No. 1088 (RAISED) GENERAL LAW. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRACTICE OF PHARMACY', to make changes to statutes administered by the Drug Control Division of the Department of Consumer Protection to protect the health and safety of the general public.

BANKS

S. B. No. 1089 (RAISED) BANKS. 'AN ACT ENCOURAGING THE SAFEKEEPING OF CONSUMER INFORMATION IN RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS', to ensure that retail businesses who do not protect the personal information of their customers are held responsible for the economic consequences of a breach of security.

SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN

S. B. No. 1090 (RAISED) SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE RIGHT OF FOSTER PARENTS, PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS AND RELATIVE CAREGIVERS TO BE HEARD IN CERTAIN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS', to allow foster parents, prospective adoptive parents and relative caregivers with the opportunity to be heard in certain court proceedings concerning a child in their care.

H. B. No. 7037 (RAISED) SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN. 'AN ACT EXPANDING THE SUBSIDIZED GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM TO SIBLINGS OF CHILDREN LIVING WITH RELATIVE CAREGIVERS', to expand the Department of Children and Families' subsidized guardianship program for the benefit of siblings of children living with relative caregivers.

GENERAL LAW

H. B. No. 7038 (RAISED) GENERAL LAW. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR GUARANTY FUND', to increase the maximum payment from the Home Improvement Contractor Guaranty Fund from fifteen to twenty thousand dollars.

JUDICIARY

H. B. No. 7039 (RAISED) JUDICIARY. 'AN ACT CONCERNING PUBLIC ACCESS TO PROCEEDINGS IN CERTAIN JUVENILE MATTERS', to (1) permit members of the public to observe certain juvenile court proceedings concerning termination of parental rights or children or youth who are alleged to be uncared for, neglected or dependent, and (2) permit the court, on a case-by-case basis, to prohibit the dissemination of certain identifying information disclosed in such proceedings.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

H. B. No. 7040 (RAISED) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING RESUBDIVISIONS AND CLARIFYING THE CONSIDERATION BY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONS OF INLAND WETLANDS DECISIONS', to make public hearings on resubdivision discretionary and to clarify consideration of planning and zoning commissions of decisions of inland wetlands agencies.

H. B. No. 7041 (RAISED) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING ZONING ENFORCEMENT', to eliminate the provisions allowing treble damages against a zoning enforcement officer who issues a citation if the court finds that such citation was issued frivolously or without probable cause.

H. B. No. 7042 (RAISED) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING MAKING A MINOR CHANGE TO THE LOCAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM', to delete provisions concerning adoption or revision of a municipal plan of development, obsolete because of legislative changes to section 8-23 of the general statutes.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY

H. B. No. 7043 (RAISED) PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. 'AN ACT CONCERNING OFF-TRACK BETTING BRANCH FACILITIES', to delete references to dog racing and jai alai games because there are no longer any jai alai or dog racing facilities in the state of Connecticut.

H. B. No. 7044 (RAISED) PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE DISCLOSURE OF SENSITIVE RECORDS', to give the Commissioner of Emergency Management and Homeland Security the authority to decide whether to disclose certain sensitive records under the FOI statutes.

TRANSPORTATION

Proposed H. B. No. 7045 REP. O'ROURKE, 32nd DIST. 'AN ACT CREATING A CONNECTICUT BLUE STAR MOTHERS LICENSE PLATE', to commemorate the wartime service of Connecticut servicemen and women and the work of the Blue Star Mothers organization.

ADJOURNMENT

The Senate at 11: 02 a. m. adjourned under provisions of Senate Rule 9(b) subject to the call of the chair.

**********************************************************

JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE

Friday, February 2, 2007

The House of Representatives was called to order at 11: 40 o'clock a. m. , Representative Ryan of the 139th District in the Chair.

Prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Jonathan R. Root of New Britain, Connecticut.

The following is the prayer:

Let us pray. Almighty Father, there is much work ahead of us. Grant us Your wisdom so that our decisions will be constructive in bringing forth our legislation. Amen.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jonathan R. Root of New Britain, Connecticut.

REPORTS

The following reports were received on the date indicated, read by the Clerk and referred to the Committees indicated:

Annual Report - State of Connecticut - Division of Criminal Justice - Office of the Chief State's Attorney - Annual Wiretap Report. (Pursuant to Sections 11-4a and 54-41o(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes. ) Date Received: February 1, 2007

Referred to the Committees on Public Safety and Security and Judiciary.

Annual Report - Department of Economic and Community Development - Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2005 - 2006. (Pursuant to Public Act 05-191. ) Date Received: February 1, 2007

Referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Report - Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services - Project SAFE Report for 2006. (Pursuant to Section 17a-715(g) of the Connecticut General Statutes. ) Date Received: February 1, 2007

Referred to the Committees on Public Health, Human Services and the Select Committee on Children.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

HOUSE AND SENATE BILLS

On motion of Representative Johnston of the 51st District, the first reading of the following bills and resolutions was waived, the list of bills and resolutions as prepared by the Clerks was accepted, and the bills and resolutions referred to the committees as indicated thereon in concurrence.

SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN

H. B. No. 7037 (RAISED) SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN. 'AN ACT EXPANDING THE SUBSIDIZED GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM TO SIBLINGS OF CHILDREN LIVING WITH RELATIVE CAREGIVERS', to expand the Department of Children and Families' subsidized guardianship program for the benefit of siblings of children living with relative caregivers.

GENERAL LAW

H. B. No. 7038 (RAISED) GENERAL LAW. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR GUARANTY FUND', to increase the maximum payment from the Home Improvement Contractor Guaranty Fund from fifteen to twenty thousand dollars.

JUDICIARY

H. B. No. 7039 (RAISED) JUDICIARY. 'AN ACT CONCERNING PUBLIC ACCESS TO PROCEEDINGS IN CERTAIN JUVENILE MATTERS', to (1) permit members of the public to observe certain juvenile court proceedings concerning termination of parental rights or children or youth who are alleged to be uncared for, neglected or dependent, and (2) permit the court, on a case-by-case basis, to prohibit the dissemination of certain identifying information disclosed in such proceedings.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

H. B. No. 7040 (RAISED) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING RESUBDIVISIONS AND CLARIFYING THE CONSIDERATION BY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONS OF INLAND WETLANDS DECISIONS', to make public hearings on resubdivision discretionary and to clarify consideration of planning and zoning commissions of decisions of inland wetlands agencies.

H. B. No. 7041 (RAISED) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING ZONING ENFORCEMENT', to eliminate the provisions allowing treble damages against a zoning enforcement officer who issues a citation if the court finds that such citation was issued frivolously or without probable cause.

H. B. No. 7042 (RAISED) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING MAKING A MINOR CHANGE TO THE LOCAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM', to delete provisions concerning adoption or revision of a municipal plan of development, obsolete because of legislative changes to section 8-23 of the general statutes.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY

H. B. No. 7043 (RAISED) PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. 'AN ACT CONCERNING OFF-TRACK BETTING BRANCH FACILITIES', to delete references to dog racing and jai alai games because there are no longer any jai alai or dog racing facilities in the state of Connecticut.

H. B. No. 7044 (RAISED) PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE DISCLOSURE OF SENSITIVE RECORDS', to give the Commissioner of Emergency Management and Homeland Security the authority to decide whether to disclose certain sensitive records under the FOI statutes.

TRANSPORTATION

Proposed H. B. No. 7045 REP. O'ROURKE, 32nd DIST. 'AN ACT CREATING A CONNECTICUT BLUE STAR MOTHERS LICENSE PLATE', to commemorate the wartime service of Connecticut servicemen and women and the work of the Blue Star Mothers organization.

SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN

S. B. No. 1083 (RAISED) SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN. 'AN ACT PROVIDING ADULT ADOPTED PERSONS WITH ACCESS TO INFORMATION IN THEIR ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATES', to permit adults who were adopted in this state to obtain a copy of their unaltered original birth certificate.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

S. B. No. 1084 (RAISED) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. 'AN ACT REORGANIZING LOCAL LAND USE COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND AGENCIES', to reorganize local land use agencies in each municipality in order to improve adoption and administration of local land use policies and regulations, thereby providing benefits to municipalities, the general public and other participants in land use planning and regulation.

S. B. No. 1085 (RAISED) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING ZONING APPEALS', to clarify land use statutes by providing for a uniform appeals process for special permits and exceptions.

S. B. No. 1086 (RAISED) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE TIMELY DETERMINATION OF LOCAL LAND USE DECISIONS', to establish a process for determining the completeness of an application before municipal land use boards, and to promote adherence to the statutory time frame for processing and making final municipal decisions on land use applications.

S. B. No. 1087 (RAISED) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING ASSESSMENT OF CERTAIN INCOME RESTRICTED HOUSING', to revise assessment methods of government-assisted housing so that valuation of such housing is fair and consistent.

GENERAL LAW

S. B. No. 1088 (RAISED) GENERAL LAW. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRACTICE OF PHARMACY', to make changes to statutes administered by the Drug Control Division of the Department of Consumer Protection to protect the health and safety of the general public.

BANKS

S. B. No. 1089 (RAISED) BANKS. 'AN ACT ENCOURAGING THE SAFEKEEPING OF CONSUMER INFORMATION IN RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS', to ensure that retail businesses who do not protect the personal information of their customers are held responsible for the economic consequences of a breach of security.

SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN

S. B. No. 1090 (RAISED) SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE RIGHT OF FOSTER PARENTS, PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS AND RELATIVE CAREGIVERS TO BE HEARD IN CERTAIN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS', to allow foster parents, prospective adoptive parents and relative caregivers with the opportunity to be heard in certain court proceedings concerning a child in their care.

ADJOURNMENT

On motion of Representative Johnston of the 51st District, the House adjourned at 11: 43 o'clock a. m. , to meet again at the Call of the Chair.

Butter Braids Fundraiser

Ct. Blue Star Mothers, Chapter One is currently selling frozen Butter Braids, OMAR Coffee, and Aspen Valley Hot Cocoa to help purchase banners for our float at our first Veteran's Day Parade in Hartford and to defray costs to members who have so generously purchased start-up items and incurred other various expenses to start our new chapter. Our sale will go until November 6th and delivery of items will be made to members on November 16, 2006 at our next chapter meeting at Cromwell Town Hall. Please contact Sue Martucci at 860-243-5543 if you have any questions.

Butter Braids Fund Raising Update! Final Tally!

From: <NOBR>SueMartucci</NOBR> (Original Message)

Sent: 11/17/2006 10:07 AM

Hi Ladies: The final tally for our fundraiser came to: $1,767.50 in sales with 186 items sold. Our chapter's profit is $744.50!! Great job ladies!!! Our profits are earmarked to pay chapter moms who purchased parade banners and to reimburse for other chapter start-up costs such as photocopying, post office box, etc. Sue Martucci SueMartucci@comcast.net

BUTTER BRAIDS - September/October 2007

We are selling Butter Braids again this year as a fund raiser for our Chapter! Available are the Butter Braids, OMAR Coffee, and Aspen Valley Hot Cocoa.

Please contact Arlene Grasso (our Chapter Treasurer) if you would like to purchase any items or if you would like to place an order for items sold.

DUE DATE FOR ORDERS: October 29, 2007 -- Monday.

Items will be delivered at the Novemeber Chapter Meeting in Cromwell, CT -- payment is due at time of pick up.

Please contact Arlene for anything questions about Butter Braids or any items you with to order: "CT-BSM Arlene Grasso" <agrasso@waterbury.k12.ct.us >, "CT-BSM Arlene Grasso" <agrasso01@snet.net>

Report For Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. Annual Meeting for 2006

Greetings!!

What a wonderful and infomative time at the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. this year, 2006!! So many new friendships formed and so many thing learned!!

National will be issuing minutes for the meeting which I will be posting for you. However, at this time, I just wanted to fill you in on the highlights of the conference!

Once we officially began, but before we got into the meeting agenda, we were visited by the VAVS Director from Washington, Laura B. Balun. As you know the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service was founded in 1946 and is one of the largest centralized volunteer programs in the Federal government. VAVS works with volunteers to train them and then offer support, as they provide for our veterans in VA health care facilities. It was exciting for me to hear Laura speak, as we as the CT BSM will be working with our VA Hospitals and other care facilities here in our state.

Laura spoke of National Projects that the VAVS offers and told about how they operate. She is ready to assist us in any way that we would need for our vateran's voluntary service projects. You can learn more about this by going to the US Department of Veterans Affairs website at: http://www1.va.gov/VOLUNTEER/NAC.html

I was fortunate too to be rooming with Helen Nero who works on an ongoing basis with this program on the National level and is also the Representative for BSMA in this capacity. She is going to assist us with packets of information so that we can meet all reles and directives that must be in place for volunteers with the VAVS. More to come later.....

The meeting was exciting and touched my heart as the moms were there in their uniforms representing troops and veterans alike!! The Sgt. At Arms did a great job with the Drill Team, and everything was just so totally meaningful and on the mark!!

We were introduced to the Blue Star Mother's Song, which I will post for you on this website -- that started us off with the right spirit, for sure!!

We conducted a lot of business and worked on the by-laws extensively. We approved the minutes of last year's meeting, heard the President's and all of the Vice President's reports, reviewed other Board Members reports, and listened to updates on things that had taken place during the year. SO MANY THINGS!! Way to numberous to go into detail on here -- but, again, I will post the minutes when they are sent out.

We did learn that there has been a 71% increase in the Blue Star Motherrs of America, Inc. membership since the Iraqi War began. 96 new chapers have started and there are 2 new departments for the states. 2,117 BSM and 585 Associates are now officially listed and on record!!

Certainly an important part of the convention was when Kevin B. Secor, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Senior Advisor from Washington, came with greetings and offers of assistance to the BSM!! He is available to the CT BSM for advise and support!! Please see http://www1.va.gov/OPA/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1065

Too, we were greeted by John from Rolling Thunder who spoke of Operation Carry The Flame and other important projects they are supporting! Please see http://carrytheflame.org/ They are in support of course work done through Child Grief Education Organization in Colorado and it would be great if several of us could take that course (you can do it from home).

New officers were elected and everyone was excited about there new duties and upcoming plans for the new year ahead!!

We did, of course, have fun activities such as a beautiful boat ride and lunch on the lake, a 50's 'poodle skirt' night, and the closing banquet.

So many things brought tears of pride to my eyes because of those who serve! It is such an excellent opportunity for us to be able to affiliate with an organization that has been making such a difference in the lives of our military and veterans for such a long time!!

CT BSM will be having a conference call this coming Sunday evening, August 13, 2006. I will fill you in on more details at that time. Also, we will plan our first official 'face to face' meeting!! I will bring other things that I brought back from the conference at that time. Just wanted to give you a general update for now!

Thanks for your service and dedication to this organization that supports our troops, our veterans, and our military families!!

PEACE -- Lin

Please click on the link below and enter your birthday, your child's birthday, or any other important dates so that the CT BSM can celebrate with you!!!

We are creating what is called 'a birthday calendar' It comes from a company that will keep track of the day and dates you set -- and then will remind us!!! Just click on the link and enter your info!!!

http://www.birthdayalarm.com<WBR>/dob/74864377a8680538b362

Thanks So Much!!!