Senatorial Advice: 'Value Education, Cross the Aisle'

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) — father of Matthew ’04, Michael ’07, David ’10, and Claire (GA ’12) — visited Brunswick on Tuesday, Feb. 16, encouraging Upper School students to become involved in public service initiatives close to their hearts.

 

The Senator, too, urged his audience to be inspired by the lessons and values instilled by a Brunswick education — very much like those that inspired Blumenthal himself during his educational experiences at Riverdale Country School in the Bronx and later at Harvard College and Yale Law School.

 

“The values impressed upon me by my teachers and parents — at your same age — spurred me into a career of public service,” Blumenthal said.

 

Surely, it has been a career of distinction.

 

From 1970 to 1976, Blumenthal served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. While serving as U.S. Attorney for Connecticut, from 1977 to 1981, Blumenthal prosecuted drug trafficking, organized and white-collar crime, civil rights violations, consumer fraud, and environmental pollution.

 

He was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives for three years (1984–1987), as well as the Connecticut State Senate for four years (1987–1991).

 

Blumenthal served an unprecedented five terms as Connecticut’s Attorney General, from 1991–2011, before being sworn in on Jan. 5, 2011, for his first term as United States Senator from the State of Connecticut.

 

In Blumenthal’s short address at Baker Theater, he discussed his decision to support the Iran Nuclear Agreement — one he called the most difficult of his senatorial career.

 

“This deal is not the agreement I long sought, but it does make the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran less imminent,” Blumenthal said. “It requires the United States and the international community to sustain their commitment to verify and enforce its provisions over many years.

 

“The agreement cannot be based on hope or trust. History belies both in our experience with Iran.”

 

In addition, Blumenthal spoke about his proudest moment in the Senate, culminating with a visit to the White House on February 12 to witness President Obama’s signing of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act — bipartisan legislation designed to help combat suicide by U.S. military veterans.

 

Blumenthal co-sponsored the bill with Senator John McCain (R-AZ).

 

“This breakthrough bipartisan step will help countless veterans overcome invisible wounds of war that lead to 22 tragic suicides every day,” Blumenthal said.

 

“Going forward, I’ll continue to work to cross the aisle in Washington to get the job done. I encourage you to do the same in your own meaningful endeavors.”