BIOGRAPHY
State Representative Bruce Morris is serving his third term in the Connecticut General Assembly. He is deputy majority whip and vice chair of the Human Services Committee. He was named assistant majority whip during his second term and served in that capacity until his promotion to deputy majority whip in
April 2012.
Rep. Morris has devoted his life to the service of others, a value he learned from his mother and father, who was a state representative and state senator before become the state commissioner of public works under Governor Weicker.
In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Morris serves as an assistant pastor at Macedonia Church in Norwalk and human relations officer for the Norwalk school system. He is also an elected executive board member of the National Caucus of Black State Legislators.
Legislation
Rep. Morris’ dedication to helping others is exemplified in legislation he championed that provided additional funding for multi-family housing, foreclosure-prevention programs and the Norwalk school system.
A key co-sponsor of legislation for replacing the death penalty with a sentence of life in prison without any chance of parole or release, he continues to fight for the abolition of capital punishment in Connecticut.
Rep. Morris has also championed passage of the Earned Income Tax Credit. As a result, 1,623 people in his district will receive $890,000 from Connecticut.
In addition, Rep. Morris co-sponsored legislation that requires the collection of DNA evidence from convicted felons upon a subsequent felony arrest. The new law will help solve crimes quicker and prevent repeat offenders from causing more pain to families. It will also exonerate people wrongfully arrested.
Rep. Morris also has been instrumental in effecting changes and ensuring the respectful treatment of defendants and their attorneys who appear in the Norwalk courthouse.
Recognizing the critical importance of having fathers involved in their children’s lives, Rep. Morris was chairman of the Task Force On Fatherlessness, which studied the issue and promoted new policies for promoting fatherhood.
Accomplishments
Morris has received numerous awards and acknowledgements of public service over many years from numerous groups, including:
Background
As a minister, Rep. Morris views his public role as a state representative as a practical extension of his ministry.
Morris is a member of Norwalk NAACP, Macedonia AIDS Ministry and Cornerstone Community Development Corporation. He is former chairperson of the board of directors for Norwalk Community Health Center, former chair of Public Services Division of United Way of Norwalk and Wilton, former president of the Norwalk Clergy Association and board member of George Washington Carver Center;
Morris formerly served as vice president of the Connecticut Chapter of National Association of Minority Contractors. This involvement came about because he was the founder and owner of the largest black-owned electrical company in the state.
Rep. Morris has also been affiliated with: Community Prevention Task Force; Mid Fairfield Substance Abuse Coalition; Norwalk Weed and Seed Steering Committee; Norwalk Housing Authority Work Study Academy; Norwalk Clergy Association and Norwalk Urban Youth Coalition.
Rep. Morris resides in Norwalk with his wife Gail and children.
Updated February 21, 2012