Bob Godfrey

Today, we lost an important figure in Connecticut's history, a great colleague and an even better friend.I had the pleasure of meeting Governor Rell when I was first elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives. She represented Brookfield and Bethal. She quickly became a friend and mentor, as we worked together on issues of joint concern, especially for Western Connecticut.

When she became Governor at a very difficult time for Connecticut, she acted quickly to reverse the perceptions and the reality of her predecessor's bad reputation and subsequent criminal convictions. She reformed the state's ethics codes, championed the successful creation of the Citizens Election Program to get special interest money out of elections, and most of all led by example.

I worked closely with her on her proposal to reform and reorganize the state's Probate Courts. Her leadership not only reduced the number of courts at great savings to users and taxpayers, but also professionalized the court system. We joined with then Danbury Probate Judge Diane Yamin, president of the Probate Assembly, to shepherd the bill through the General Assembly. I was tasked with chairing the Commission that redrew the lines of the courts.

 I recruited Governor Rell to become the President of the Council of State Governments. CSG is a national organization of state and provinces encompassing all three branches of state government. Her leadership skills and acumen, and her open and friendly demeanor, made her a respected national figure.

She was a fierce advocate for women's rights, including women's reproductive rights. Her advocacy with the LGBTQ community led to the passage of Connecticut's civil union bill, the first state in the nation to do so without a court mandate. It included some 300+ provisions equalizing the rights and privileges of all couples regardless of sexual orientation. She created the crime of home invasion after the shocking Pettit murders, and tightened parole laws.

Even after leaving government, she founded the Center for Public Service at the University of Hartford, which has worked to restore civility to government and elected officials, ethics, and community involvement.
 
Jodi Rell stood as a beacon and a role model. My heart goes out to her children Michael and Merideth, and her grandchildren.
 
Jodi Rell simply loved Connecticut. She showed it every day. I join in the celebration of her life, her accomplishments, and her leadership - may she rest in peace.