Joe Courtney

Joe Courtney

Template:TOCnestleft Joe Courtney is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 2nd district of Connecticut.

Planned Parenthood

Courtney received $2000 in lobbying funds from Planned Parenthood in 2008.

January rally

Some 300 people hissed and booed at the mention of Joe Lieberman's name during a Connecticut Opposes the War rally at the LOB cafeteria January 2007, which featured Democratic Congressmen Chris Murphy, Joe Courtney and John B. Larson, along with a whole host of progressive Blues.

So great is the continuing disdain for our Junior Senator, New Haven activist Henry Lowendorf promised a protest in front of Lieberman's Constitution Plaza office in Hartford, Thursday, Jan. 18 at 12:30 pm.

Before the rally began, Lowendorf said a group was talking and made the decision to picket Lieberman's office. "There may be people who want to do CD and occupy his office," Lowendorf said.

July rally

As New Haveners joined a patriotic anti-war protest at an out-of-town Independence Day “boombox” parade, a Connecticut Congressman joining the march said that summer hearings will keep the pressure on the White House to bring troops home from Iraq.

U.S. Rep Joe Courtney made the remarks at the Willimantic July 4th parade, which traditionallyl welcomes differing points of view. An anti-war contingent organized by Connecticut Opposes the War marched in the parade, to enthusiastic applause and the flashing of peace signs along the route. Marchers included New Haveners Susan Klein and Henry Lowendorf, speaking to a war supporter, on the right.

Courtney, who represents the Second Congressional District, told this reporter that Congress is not just waiting for another vote in the fall on funding for the war.

“It’s not enough to say we’re going to put this off until September,” he said. “That’s what the White House wants us to do, to sort of let this thing disappear in between, so that the pressure that’s out there doesn’t get hammered away at Republican members of Congress—which you need to sort of break through here. And we’re starting to see the cracks. With [Republicans Richard] Lugar and [George] Voinovich coming out now against the surge, the pressure politically [on] Republican members of Congress who’ve been voting with Bush is starting to have an impact. So we’re going to continue to have these votes over the summer, so that people’s feet are going to continue to be put to the fire.”

Courtney, who’s a member of the Armed Services Committee, said Congress will be holding two hearings a week on Iraq, starting next Tuesday. Lawmakers will take up a bill for no permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq and another bill setting a timeline for withdrawal, among others.

Labor Endorsement

At the Connecticut AFL-CIO convention June 23, 2008, state AFL-CIO President John Olsen, calling on everyone to go out and organize. “We got the House and Senate back in 2006 and now we have to get the presidency back so we can win the Employee Free Choice Act, universal health care and an energy policy like the Apollo plan.”

Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd was warmly welcomed by the delegates. Decrying the disparities in America, he lauded the labor movement for hard fought battles for workers’ gains “not given benevolently by corporate America,” and passionately called for an all-out push to elect Barack Obama on Nov. 4.

Saying he hopes the Employee Free Choice Act will be the first bill on the new president’s desk, Dodd emphasized that “this election will determine what kind of country, what kind of world, we leave to our children and grandchildren … We can’t afford four more years of Bush.”

The convention unanimously adopted a resolution reaffirming opposition to the war by national and state labor bodies, and asserting that Obama “shares labor’s opposition … while John McCain supports the war and President Bush’s military policy.”

The resolution urges unions to inform their members “of McCain’s pro-war position and how it is directly related to his anti-union economic policies; and how the continuation of the war is fueling the current economic crisis.”

Bill Shortell, representing the Machinists Union and the Bristol Labor Council, recalled asking, when the war began, “Is this an issue for us?” to which his buddy replied, “Who’s going to speak for me if the union doesn’t speak for me?” Shortell called on the delegates to “take a strong position and back candidates committed to get us out of Iraq and end this bloodshed as soon as possible.”

A heated debate took place over the endorsement of Jim Himes, a pro-labor, antiwar Democrat challenging incumbent Republican Chris Shays (4th Congressional District), a leading proponent of Bush’s Iraq war policies. Shays was the only representative from Connecticut to vote for additional funding of the war last month. He had angered the endorsement committee during an interview in which he objected to a question on the war, saying, “Why are you asking me about that? That’s not a labor issue.”

AFSCME delegate Blair Bertaccini got a round of applause when he called on the convention to “support candidates who support us as a class, as workers, not just one particular sector. Otherwise we will keep losing numbers and become irrelevant.” Himes won the endorsement overwhelmingly.

The convention also committed to help Democratic Reps. Chris Murphy (5th CD) and Joe Courtney (2nd CD) return to Congress. They both defeated Republicans in 2006 and have been targeted by the Republican National Committee for smear attacks.

Speaking to delegates from the 3rd CD, which she represents, Rep. Rosa DeLauro thanked the labor movement for enabling her to win by large majorities. “With big margins I can take on the strong fights, which those with small margins many not feel free to do,” she said, referring to the vote against further funds for the war.

Delegates signed up for the Labor 2008 program, including speaking to members in their workplace and at home. Signatures were collected on postcards for the Employee Free Choice Act which will be presented to the new president in January.

A moment of silence honored prominent union leaders who recently died, including Merrillee Milstein, former District 1199 vice president and then deputy regional director of the AFL-CIO, known for her dedication and commitment to organizing and building diversity within the labor movement.

The convention adopted a strategic plan for the elections and legislative and organizing goals. A Diversity Dialogue will be held Sept. 20 with the aim of developing new union leaders. AFL-CIO representative Barbara Nicole Holtz urged delegates to attend, projecting the conference as a model for other states.

Labor support 2010

New Britain, Ct, Nov. 4, 2010 – A massive get-out-the-vote campaign targeted to Council 4 AFSCME members and their families made the difference in helping Dannel Malloy and other pro-worker candidates get elected in Connecticut, the union said today.

“Connecticut voters echoed what our union members were saying as they headed tothe polls: everyone deserves quality affordable health care, secure retirement and fair taxes,” Council 4 Executive Director Sal Luciano noted.

All of Council 4’s endorsed candidates prevailed in races for Governor (Malloy), Lt. Governor (Nancy Wyman), Attorney General (George Jepsen), Comptroller (Kevin Lembo), Treasurer (Denise Nappier and Secretary of State (Denise Merrill). Council 4- endorsed candidates also won their races for U.S. Senate (Richard Blumenthal) and Congress (John B. Larson, Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes and Chris Murphy).

“We used people power to counteract corporate and wealthy donors pushing their anti-union agenda,” Luciano said.

Anna Montalvo, President of AFSCME Local 1522 in Bridgeport, said union members grasped the high stakes in the election:

“Right from the start of this campaign we had our boots on the ground, whether for Dan Malloy or Jim Himes or Chris Murphy. Connecticut staved off the anti-working family tide that swept the nation,” said Montalvo, who co-chairs Council 4’s political action committee.

Labor support 2012

Powered by the grass-roots efforts of union members who made phone calls, knocked on doors, talked to their co-workers and attended Get Out The Vote events, labor-endorsed candidates swept to victory in the Nov. 6 election.

The list starts with President Barack Obama and Chris Murphy -- who withstood Linda McMahon's $47 million effort to buy the 2012 U.S. Senate seat -- and Elizabeth Esty, who defeated the well-funded campaign of Republican Andrew Roraback in the 5th Congressional District.

"This was a victory for the middle class," said Council 4 Executive Director Sal Luciano. "Our members refused to allow corporations and right-wing billionaires to buy the election and ram through their extremist, anti-worker agenda. I am proud and grateful for everyone's effort."

AFSCME-endorsed candidates John B. Larson (1st Congressional District), Joe Courtney (2nd), Rosa DeLauro (3rd) and Jim Himes (4th) also were reelected, winning by sizeable margins.

Council 4 members Blair Bertaccini (Local 269), Tom Lukowicz (Local 1183) and Esma Ajruli (background), Local 714 phone-banked on election eve.

Populist Caucus

The Populist Caucus was founded on February 11, 2009 in the United States House of Representatives by Democrat Bruce Braley of Iowa. The caucus originally included 26 other Democrats in the House, including Joe Courtney.

Working Families Party

2008 endorsement

Working Families Party endorsed Joe Courtney in 2008.

CARA connection

2008 endorsement

Alliance for Retired Americans endorsed Joe Courtney in 2008.

2009 presentation

Connecticut meeting, presentation to Congressman Joe Courtney, December 21, 2009.

2011 press conference

Rep. Joe Courtney, and Senator Richard Blumenthal addressed a Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans Press Conference 4.28.11., with Kevin Lynch.

October 2014

Win Heimer, Barbara Marafino, Joe Courtney, Joelle Fishman, Edie Fishman

October 2014 meeting.

ARA endorsement

The Alliance for Retired Americans Political Action Fund endorsed Joe Courtney in 2014.

PDA connection

In June 2013 Progressive Democrats of America assigned activists to deliver their material to almost every US Congressman and several Senators. Matthew Forsberg, was assigned as contact for Rep. Courtney.

External links

• Courtney's website with the House of Representatives

References

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