Sampson and Markley Proposal Would Honor Eugene Migliaro

Hartford, CT – Representative Rob Sampson (R-Wolcott) and Senator Joe Markley (R-Southington) are joining together in support of a bill that would rename a portion of Route 322 in Wolcott the “Eugene A. Migliaro Memorial Highway.”

“Commissioner Migliaro worked tirelessly to promote the welfare of veterans and earned a reputation for his open door policy for veterans. He was also well known for his constituent service when serving in the Connecticut General Assembly and despite it being thirty years since his time in the legislature, many residents of Wolcott still remember him well.” said Rep. Sampson.

“I had the honor of serving with Gene in the General Assembly. He was an unforgettable legislator, outspoken and courageous, a friend to be treasured and an opponent to be feared,” said Sen. Markley. “He earned the trust and the affection of the people of Wolcott and Southington, and he fought tenaciously to honor and aide his fellow veterans. Gene is worthy of this remembrance in the town he loved.”

Eugene A. Migliaro, Jr. served as State Representative from 1973 to 1975 and from 1977 to 1991, representing the 80th House District, which includes the towns of Wolcott and Southington. Migliaro also served as Mayor of the town of Wolcott from 1993 to 1995, and was named Commissioner of Veterans’ Affairs in 1995. He served in that position until 2003. He died in 2007, at the age of 81.

Migliaro was born in Waterbury on November 19, 1925, and raised in Wolcott. When he was 17, he joined the United States Marine Corps, and was discharged with the rank of Corporal.

He founded numerous businesses, including a hardware store, an automobile service station, and a real estate and insurance agency, and volunteered as a police supernumerary in the town of Wolcott. He also received two Associate degrees, one in general education and one in science. In November 1992, was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree.

On Friday March 8th the Transportation Committee will be holding a public hearing on the proposal to recognize Eugene Migliaro. The hearing will be at 10 am in room 2C of the Legislative Office Building on Capitol Avenue in Hartford.

H.B. No. 6559: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF ROADS AND BRIDGES IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS will be discussed at the hearing.

If passed into law, the portion of Route 322 in Wolcott from the Wolcott-Southington town line to the intersection of Route 69 would be designated the “Eugene A. Migliaro Memorial Highway”.