Sam Gejdenson: “Connecticut truly today did lose one of its finest public servants in Jim Kennelly. My colleague, our colleague, Barbara…”

“Connecticut truly today did lose one of its finest public servants in Jim Kennelly. My colleague, our colleague, Barbara Kennelly, lost so much more today, and we extend to Barbara and to her family and to her children our heartfelt sympathy. Our thoughts and our prayers are with the Kennelly family. We pay tribute to a man who was truly a powerhouse, an unbelievable legislator in his own right, and as well a political spouse. There were none better in that role. It was 1959 that Jim and Barbara were married, and they became a political power couple in the State of Connecticut. Jim was a rising star. Barbara was heir to one of Connecticut's most famous political dynasties. Together they shared the dream and, as our Nancy Johnson just said, they were a wonderful couple. They were a political couple. They were a caring couple. They cared about what happened to people in the State of Connecticut and all over this country. They pursued their dreams and their dedication together.”