George Colli

On May 19,George Colli was unanimously endorsed by the delegates of the 7th District to be their Democratic nominee to the State Senate. The event was held at the Mt. Carmel Hall in Enfield. State Representative Karen Jarmoc nominated Colli and Suffield resident and former Democratic Town Chairwoman Eileen Moncrief seconded the nomination. State Comptroller Nancy Wyman attended and spoke enthusiastically in support of the Suffield resident . Enfield Democratic Town Chairman Anthony DiPace presided as Convention Chair. Enfield resident Carol Censki was Secretary and Former State Representative and Windsor Locks resident Carl Schissel was Parliamentarian.

George Colli addresses the delegates while Chairman Anthony DiPace looks on.

George Colli's Acceptance Speech

Thank you Chairman DiPace, Secretary Censki and Parliamentarian Schissel.

Thank you to all of the elected officials, to the Democratic Town Committee chairs and members for all of your support throughout this process. Your advice and guidance and most importantly your support have given me confidence and a platform to carry on through November.

To the delegates of the 7^th Senate District. You are what make this process what it is. Your commitment to this process and knowing all you go through in fighting for this party on the national, state and local levels make this endorsement so special and appreciated.

A very special Thank you to Representative Karen Jarmoc, Eileen Moncrief, Joe Calsetta and Comptroller Wyman.

Madam Comptroller the leadership you have shown and the energy you bring to your office in infectious. To have you here tonight and standing up supporting me is something I will never forget. You are loved up in these parts and I really look forward to learning from you and doing everything we can to getting members of our party elected this Fall.

Selectman Joe Calsetta – you have been life long friends of my family. I know how hard you work for the citizens of Windsor Locks and I am going to count on you for your wisdom, your advice and your critsizm. I really want to work with you and Selectman Warwick as your senator.

Eileen Moncrief has known me since I first moved into this town. Her daughter Alison is one of my closest friends. We went through grade school together; we entered Suffield Academy on the same day for both high school and for our first jobs following College. I really appreciate you being here tonight and standing up for me.

Last, but certainly not least, Representative Karen Jarmoc. Your leadership in the House, you and your husband’s commitment to this community is a shining example to us all about what a legislator should and can be. Your support is what gave me the confidence to start the exploratory committee and I can’t wait to work with you in Hartford.

Before touching on the issues and the reasons why I would like to represent you as your next state Senator, I would like to take a minute or two to explain how it is I have gotten here.

In 1926, a group of Italian immigrants purchased this property to serve as a sanctuary from the days they spent working in the area mills and shops. It was here at Mt. Carmel that they would celebrate their culture, speak in their native tongues and break bread together sharing recipes handed down over generations. This Hall was the bridge that connected their Old-World Heritage to their New World dreams.

One of those 1^st generation Italians was an Electrician from Windsor Locks –My great grandfather- George Tinker Colli.

He married an Irish school teacher, Mary Burke, from Enfield and built a home on Spring St in Windsor Locks where they raised their three children.

At the same time, he opened a shop – in the shadows of St. Patrick’s Church – on the corner of Pearl and High St in Thompsonville.

Their eldest would attend Windsor Locks public schools, graduate from Syracuse University and serve his country as a submariner in the South Pacific.

When my grandfather returned home, he opened a popular diner on the corner of Spring St and Rt 75 in Windsor Locks. His ambition led him into the real estate, banking and restaurants. He married an Irish Police Chief’s daughter from Windsor and raised four children in Windsor Locks.

His eldest, my father, shared their love of fishing and game. He would join the family businesses and marry the daughter of an Irish Doctor and Nurse.

My brother and I were raised on Holly Lane in Enfield and attended St. Martha’s school before moving to Suffield. We were taught the values of respect, charity and love of family. These were taught not through lectures, but by their examples every day.

I lived a happy and blessed childhood and had a wonderful opportunity to attend Suffield Academy on a Leader Scholarship. I went on to graduate from Providence College and received a degree in Political Science. Following college, I worked a year at Suffield Academy and the entered the family businesses. It was then that I purchased a home in Suffield, where I currently live with my brother – and current treasurer – Christopher.

Five generations of the Colli family have lived, worked, worshipped and grown alongside you, your families and your friends in the area. This upbringing affords me a unique perspective of the district and a deep rooted understanding of its people.

As your next State senator, I will bring an understanding of

Where we – as a community – have been.

How we – as a community have gotten here and

Where we, as a community must head in the future.

I will promise to listen to you, respond to you and fight for you!

I believe a leader with vision is needed to tackle the issues we are facing on both sides of the River.

A vision is needed to deal with the challenges of transportation and a first hand perspective is needed in understanding the rising cost of doing business in Connecticut. I know how hard it is in times like this to just keep the lights on for our employees. We must give small businesses the incentive to grow and their employees the opportunity for financial prosperity and reliable health care.

I have the focus, the energy and the ability to work together with our Democratic majority in the legislature to ensure these common sense principals become every day realities.

Through my work on the Advisory Committee on Capital Expenditures, I saw first hand the challenges municipalities face.

I know how important it is for the state to keep its promises and deliver the necessary and expected funds back to the towns.

Our local elected officials need - and its citizens should expect – a senator who will answer their call, respond to their needs and show up for more then just the occasional photo op every other fall.

Leadership takes more then just going on the record.

Leadership takes compromise, it takes guts and it takes communication with others to solve the problems we face today and the foresight of what we can be expecting to face tomorrow.

As your state Senator I will fight for that electrician and school teacher. That police officer and diner owner. That doctor and nurse. That realtor and homemaker and the retiree and college student. I will fight for them and give them a voice not only because they deserve it…but because their triumphs and their struggles are in my blood!

In conclusion, as I stand here today, just a stones throw from where my great grandfathers American dream began, I can only be left to imagine what he would think to hear his namesake HUMBLY and PROUDLY accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination to the CT State Senate.

Thank you so much for placing this trust in me.

I know the responsibility and honor are great.

I need the help of each and every one of you in making this grateful opportunity a reality. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS….