CT Senate Says Good Bye to Its Cal Ripken

Sen. Andrew Roraback is the legislature’s  Cal Ripken Jr. Like the legendary Baltimore Oriole’s player, who holds the record for most consecutive games played and was known as the Iron Man, Roraback hasn’t missed a vote in 17 years in the General Assembly.

This evening, Roraback’s colleagues in the Senate honored the Republican from Goshen, who will leave the legislature at the end of his term because he is running for Congress from the 5th District.

Senate Minority Leader John McKinney presented Roraback with the American flag that flew over the Capitol today, as well as a framed portrait of the Senate.

McKinney said Roraback, the scion of a distinguished family with deep roots in western Connecticut, is, at heart, “a boy from Goshen” who brings “a Litchfield County sensibility with him to the state Senate.”

McKinney and other speakers recalled Roraback’s commitment to environmental causes, particularly farmland preservation, an issue of great importance to his rural district.

McKinney said Roraback is a moderate Republican who is guided by common sense, not politics.

Sen. President Pro Tem Donald Williams, a Democrat, also praised Roraback. “It’s difficult because if I were to go on and on about your intelligence and your integrity, this phone would light up from my friend Speaker Donovan downstairs,” Williams said, referring to House Speaker Chris Donovan, who is also running for Congress from the 5th District.

“On the other hand, If I were to go on too long about how reasonable and effective you are and how willing you are to seek consensus to get things done, I think I might hurt your chances in the Republican primary for Congress,” Williams said.

He likened Roraback to a good neighbor who would help you out if your pipes burst at 3 a.m.

Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, said Roraback’s even-tempered disposition has served him well. If his congressional bid is unsuccessful, Kissel said he’s make a good judge.

“He has the quintessential judicial temperament,” Kissel said. “He is honest as the day is long, fair and even-handed and will listen to all sides.”