Lactation Bill, Early Voting, and more

March 1, 2024


 
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Happy Friday! In this eblast, you can read about my lactation consultant licensing bill, early voting, and more. You can click on the links below to navigate between sections.
 
Passing of Pat L. Carroll, Jr.
This week, Fairfield lost a beloved staple of our community. Pat L. Carroll, Jr. passed away at the age of 100 on February 28.

Pat lived with deep purpose and meaning rooted in family and community. He truly embodied what it means to be a public servant.

Very few people have a legacy like Pat’s.
 
He served in WWII, retired from the Army as a Lt. Col., and served 30 years as a Fairfield Police Officer, retiring as a Captain. As a police officer, he went to the FBI National Academy - the second officer to ever be invited to attend the Academy. Pat was also the oldest living retired FBI agent in the world!

As if this wasn't enough service to our nation and community, Pat also served as a multi-decade member, and later the Chief, of the volunteer Fairfield Hook and Ladder Company No. 1.
In addition to these numerous accomplishments, Pat was a founding member of the Southport Harbor Management Commission and was later appointed by Governor Weicker as Harbor Master. As numerous current commissioners confirmed, Pat would join every Harbor Management Commission meeting by phone and could always be counted on to make valuable contributions to the functioning and preservation of the harbor.

This description hardly scratches the surface of Pat's legacy. Pat had an unconditional love for his family and friends that was felt across the entire Fairfield community, and he will be deeply, deeply missed.

Thank you Pat, for everything.

You can read the beautiful obituary written for Pat here.

Calling hours will be at the Spear -Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield on March 10, from 3 – 8 pm. Friends and family are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on March 11 at 10:00 am meeting directly in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1719 Post Road, Fairfield.

Interment with military honors will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider a donation to the USO, Wakeman
Boys and Girls Club, or the Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Fairfield.
 
Lactation Consultant Licensing Legislation
Thank you to the CT Examiner for their piece on my lactation consultant licensing bill!

Here's a brief excerpt:
 

“Breastfeeding is correlated with significantly better health outcomes both for mothers and their infants,” said Leeper, a mother of two boys. “For women who have difficulty during their breastfeeding journey and do not have access to a clinical professional to help them, that is a challenge. Your body has been through a lot and it’s a really stressful time, and you feel a tremendous amount of pressure because, literally, your baby’s life is dependent on you being able to feed it.”
 
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a recent national representative sample found that breastfeeding was associated with a 21 percent reduced risk of postneonatal death for all infants and a 31 percent reduced risk for Black infants. Additionally, it found that mothers who breastfeed experience lower risks of type 2 diabetes and breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer.
If the measure passes, Connecticut would be the fourth state in the country to require that lactation consultants be licensed, following Rhode Island, New York and Georgia.
 
Early Voting Information
Early voting is just around the corner! The early voting dates for Connecticut's 2024 presidential preference primary are March 26-28 and March 30 from 10am-6pm at early voting locations.

The actual primary is April 2 from 6am-8pm at your regular polling place.

I'm so proud of the work the legislature did last year to pass early voting in our state - making it easier for every resident to vote and strengthening our democracy.

For more information on early voting, please click here.
 
Wait Until 8th Pledge
This week I wanted to bring your attention to a topic that is often discussed and challenging to navigate. Our children are growing up in a very different world than we did. As kids, digital connectivity and social media were not a part of our world. Many of us are navigating this as we go, the best we can.

Smartphones can be extremely distracting and damaging in and out of school, especially for students in elementary and middle schools. Children have unrealistic expectations set upon them from what they see on social media and can be exposed to things far beyond what is age-appropriate.

For these reasons and others, I'm excited to have signed the Wait Until 8th pledge, which seeks to delay giving children smartphones until at least 8th grade.

The focus of the pledge is not to cast judgment on parenting styles and whether parents should give children smartphones at an early age. Instead, the pledge seeks to support parents who delay smartphone usage and provide resources on the topic.

If this topic seems relevant to you, I encourage you to check out the pledge.

You can find more resources and information below:
 
Next Week's Public Hearings
Next week is a big week for the General Assembly next week, with 22 public hearings being held! We are at a critical point in the legislative process, where we seek to hear from you, the residents of Connecticut.

If you're interested in testifying, sign up here.
 
Childhood Nutrition Programs
I am thrilled to share exciting news about my commitment to promoting the health and well-being of our community’s families and children. In response to the vital need for improved childhood nutrition, we are working on crafting comprehensive legislation that ensures mothers and children who are eligible for federal benefits are enrolled in these programs with ease and confidence.
 
WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, Children) enrollment in Connecticut is among the lowest in the country at 46%. Not maximizing participation in this program is resulting in worse outcomes for the health and nutrition of young children.
 
Child nutrition is important for many reasons including:

    Strengthening the child's immune system
    Providing essential vitamins and minerals
    Enhancing brain development
    Encouraging physical growth
    Setting the stage for healthy eating habits for a lifetime

Healthy nutrition is also tied to preventing chronic disease, improving mental health, and helping build strong bones and teeth.
As this priority bill moves through the legislative process, I urge you to show your support as we move forward. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of our youngest community members.
 
I'm committed to ensuring your voice is heard. Please don't hesitate to call my office at (860) 240-8585 or email me if there's anything I can do for you. Be sure to follow @LeeperForFairfield on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Leeper
State Representative
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