Politics & Government

Branford's 'Smashmouth', Eccentrically-Dressed Representative

A recent profile by newstimes.com takes a look at the longest-tenured Connecticut member of the House of Representatives, and also one of its most eccentric, Rosa DeLauro.

A smashmouth liberal who is a "survivor of the blood sport of New Haven politics" and now is Connecticut's senior House member. 

That's how Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., was described in a recent profile by newstimes.comIn the profile, newstimes.com points out that DeLauro, 70, whose district includes Branford, earned 75 percent of the vote in her last election, the largest victory margin among the state's five incumbent Democratic US Representatives - despite having less money to spend on her campaign than any of them.

DeLauro has been the representative of Connecticut's Third District since 1991, winning 12 terms in all. That has made her friends with some of the most powerful women in Congress, including Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the former Speaker of the House.

"There is no greater champion for America's women and families than DeLauro," Pelosi told newstimes.com. "It is a true privilege to count Rosa among my closest friends and dearest colleagues. I am awed and inspired every day by her passion, her spirit, her dedication and determination to fight for our values." 

The profile went on about the issues DeLauro feels most-strongly about. Specifically, food safety, abortion rights and health care,according to newstimes.com.

For example, recently DeLauro pushed that movie theaters should have to list the calorie content of the food they serve, according to the profile. DeLauro is pushing for restaurants to do the same, and movie theaters should certainly be included in that, according to the profile. 

"The movie industry claims it's not in the food industry," DeLauro said, according to newstimes.com. "Look at this: Chicken tenders! Hot dog and fries! Cheese fries! Mozzarella sticks! Funnel cakes! We're not talking about popcorn and soda any longer at movie theaters. Movie theater chains ought to be required to put calories on their menus, just like restaurant chains." 

The profile also touches on some of DeLauro's eccentricities as well. For example, her unorthodox outfits, that often land her on "worst-dressed" lists, her love of rings (she wears four at a time) and her multi-hued hair.  

How do you feel about Rosa DeLauro? Do you believe she's good for Connecticut and for the country?


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