Brian Lanoue

Honoring Griswold's Tom Geer

It was my honor to present a legislative citation to Tom Geer at the Griswold Fire Department’s annual dinner in recognition of his 40 years of dedicated service, this past Saturday. Over the years, Tom has served the community in a number of important roles, including Firefighter, EMT, Driver/Operator, and Assistant Engineer. His decades of commitment to public safety, emergency response, and helping others reflect the very best of community service. In addition to his service with the fire department, Tom has also contributed to the community through his work with Geer Sand and Gravel and Geer Tree Farm. Congratulations, Tom, on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for 40 years of outstanding service to Griswold and our area!

Center for Safe Futures Groundbreaking Ceremony

I attended the Center for Safe Futures groundbreaking ceremony earlier this month in Waterford. This new facility will be a cornerstone of support for people suffering from domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking, child abuse, and elder abuse in our area. This project will ensure that victims and survivors of violence will have access to crisis intervention, counseling, housing assistance, childcare, legal services and more at one central location. There were many in our community who attended this groundbreaking including, my good friend and Safe Futures CEO, Kathie Verano, who works tirelessly to support women and families who are victims of domestic violence. I look forward to monitoring this project in the months to come, and will always stand with victims of violence in our state.

Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast

It was my pleasure to join my fellow southeastern Connecticut legislators at the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative breakfast recently. We answered questions on many different legislative initiatives including my bills to tax exempt volunteer first responder stipend checks and the establishment of the AI task force to examine CTECS curricular as it relates to AI. With both bills being passed in one of the two legislative chambers, and earning bi-partisan support, I felt it was important to share with the GNACC members my vision for the 2027 legislative session and beyond.

Rep. Lanoue & Senator Somers Honor Griswold Public Schools

On Monday morning, I was pleased to join State Senator Heather Somers with the entire Griswold Public Schools community on the high school football field. With students from the Class of 2026 through the anticipated Class of 2039 in attendance for a group photo, it was a wonderful celebration of school pride, community, and all that makes Griswold unique. It was our honor to present two legislative citations recognizing the heart and accomplishments of our amazing school community. The first citation was presented to Mr. Ray Churchill for more than 20 years of his dedicated service to Griswold Public Schools. Through his work in choir and theater, Ray and his students have built a nationally respected performing arts program and created opportunities that have inspired many students over the years. The Spring Musical has become a beloved tradition in the community, and Ray’s impact as an educator, mentor, and leader is something to celebrate! We certainly wish Mr. Churchill well in his retirement but he will be an unreplaceable treasurer to our kids and school community. The second citation was presented to the entire Griswold Public Schools family and accepted by Superintendent Sean McKenna. Griswold Public Schools is such an important part of our community, and that is because of the students, faculty, and staff who give so much of themselves each day. Whether through academics, athletics, or community service, these students continue to make their school and town proud. Their dedication, both during their school years and beyond, along with their hard work supporting community fundraisers and the St. Mary’s Food Pantry, the creation of Griswold’s 9/11 Memorial, and workforce development and career readiness programs, it speaks volumes about the values this school system helps instill. Both legislative citations were presented on behalf of the entire Connecticut General Assembly. This was such a special occasion to recognize a truly wonderful school system and the people who have dedicated so much to it. * Aerial photos courtesy of Griswold Public Schools

Preston's America 250 Parade

On May 17th, I was honored to participate in Preston‘s celebration and parade of America’s 250th anniversary. The last parade in Preston was nearly 40 years ago to commemorate the town’s Tricentennial, which I attended as a young man. I was proud to stand and speak at Preston‘s Revolutionary War Monument as the state representative in the town I grew up in. I want to thank the Preston Historical Society for putting this fabulous event together, the Governor’s Foot Guard for attending, and especially the great people of Preston for making this town a shining example of what America is all about. Also, a special thank you to the U.S. Navy Band for their spectacular performance. Shenandoah and the theme from The Sound of Music were two of my favorites. God bless Preston and these United States of America!