Biography

Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1995. She represents the 22nd District, which includes Plainville, Bristol and New Britain. She is Deputy Majority Caucus Chair and Chair of the Bonding Subcommittee of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

Rep. Boukus has served on the Plainville Town Council as both the vice-chair and chairwoman. She has also served as a Director on the Boards of the Wheeler Clinic, Family Services Inc., CCCRC and the Plainville YMCA. For over ten years, Rep. Boukus participated in the Youth and Government program sponsored by the YMCAs of Connecticut. Currently she is a member of the Plainville Women's Club, Lion's Club, the Tunxis Community Foundation Advisory Board and a corporator of New Britain General Hospital and the Hospital for Special Care.

Rep. Boukus was recognized by the Connecticut Library Association, when she received the 1996 Special Achievement Award for her legislation which provided library construction funding up to $500,000. In 1998, Rep. Boukus was honored at The Ninth Annual Bristol Plus Award from the Family Center for outstanding leadership and unselfish community service. In 2000, she was awarded the Connecticut Coalition of Police and Corrections Officers' Courage of Connecticut Award. In 2002 she was honored with the Connecticut Commission on the Arts distinguished legislative advocate for the arts award. She was named Lion of the Year by the Plainville Lions Club in 2002.

In 2003, Rep. Boukus received special recognition from the Plainville Little League for her continued support of the youthful players and the development of the Trumbull Park Development.

In 2004, Rep. Boukus was recognized for her continued support of the Eight Regional Fire School projects and was also the recipient of the Visionary Leadership Award from the Criminal Justice Command Institute of Tunxis Community College.

Rep. Boukus continues to be an advocate for Connecticut youth. In 2004 she was recognized for her work as a mentor and dedication to Connecticut's Youth by The Governor's Prevention Partnership. A strong supporter of After School Programming, she was the recipient of the Advocate For Youth Award given by the Connecticut Youth Services Association. Rep. Boukus has been a requested speaker and panel participant in the After School Forums sponsored by the Mott Foundation in New Mexico and Arizona.

In 2006, Rep. Boukus received the Joseph Harper, Jr. Regional Recognition Award given by the Substance Abuse Council of Central Connecticut, Inc.

In 2010, Rep. Boukus was one of just four legislators to receive the "Legislator of the Year" award from the State Alliance of Connecticut YMCAs.

For the past eight years, Rep. Boukus has organized the annual State Capitol Secret Santa Collection for the Rocky Hill Veterans Home and Hospital.

She is a resident of the town of Plainville graduating from Plainville High School. She attended Central Connecticut State University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She received her Master's Degree in Education from the University of Hartford. She has also taken courses at Tunxis Community College.

She resides in Plainville with her husband Gary and is the mother of two grown children and the grandmother of three grandsons and a granddaughter.