"Grace be unto all and peace."
I have lived in Connecticut for 81 years. I gave back to my state by working as a construction project manager for more than 25 years, renovating and building town and state projects to the best of my ability with a background established from education at our trade schools, particularly H.C. Wilcox Tech in Meriden. I have the utmost respect for our great trade-school education system. My wife Maryann and I have had students from the outstanding Kaynor Tech Plumbing Department in Waterbury do many projects at our home. The students, overseen by a sincere tradesman in his own right, instructor Julious Bogner, were professional and showed respect for seniors. But what has the state of Connecticut given back to us grandparent seniors?
Every day, I read and see examples of such disrespect for the Christian family foundation that us grandparents have built. It has been continuously disrespected and demolished for decades in this state. For instance, in 1978 Statute 46b-59 was put into law to prevent grandparents from having visitation rights to see their grandchildren. Nobody has ever been granted rights to visit their grandchildren through Connecticut's family court system.
In 2017, House Bill 7244 was presented by me and approved by the state House in a vote of 143-4. But the state Senate didn't bring it to the floor for a vote. I and others have asked Gov. Ned Lamont for a Grandparents Alienation Awareness Day, but we get shot down again and again. What's going on here?
For many years, legislators have proposed a "death with dignity," or assisted suicide, bill. After public hearings, it has been squashed. Thank God! I remember our Father James Sullivan of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury testifying against the bill with such Godly passion and Common sense.
The Elected Legislative body seems to act on things to destroy the family foundation in its entirety. Look how swiftly they passed a bill to legalize marijuana. For what? Money -- that's all. And look at all the damage marijuana has done to our youth in this state. Additional damage-control programs have to be instituted to help our youth, so more money is spent! Look at the Department of Children and Families; it's a disaster!
Grandparents are alive and kicking. We are not sedentary or ready for the grave. A group, CT Grandparents Rights, has arisen to revise the existing caveman Statute 46b-59. Grandparents are not parents, don't want to be, and never will be. But if you're a grandparent who loves the family as created by God, consider participating in advocacy for your rights in Connecticut.
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This article originally published at Letter: Where are grandparents' rights in Connecticut?.