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Leadership Programs

Leadership Legacy Experience

Principles, Politics and Leadership: The risks and rewards of staying true and speaking honestly in Washington

Christopher Shays, Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (R-CT)

Tuesday, April 7, 2009
5:00pm
Konover Auditorium
Thomas J. Dodd Research Center

Christopher Shays

Christopher Shays was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1987, and served in that capacity until 2008. Representative Shays is known for his moderate views, considered by many to be a social liberal and a fiscal conservative, often described as a “maverick” and an “independent thinker”. Some suggest these views helped in his 2006 re-election, which made him the only Republican seat in the House for New England. In 1987, he was elected based on his promise to “get our financial house in order” and worked hard throughout his political career to reduce spending and stimulate the economy. He represented the 4th District of Connecticut, which includes large communities such as Bridgeport, Stamford and Norwalk. Throughout his career his avocation of often socially moderate views led him to help establish the COPS program, which has helped reduce crime through the United States; lead the charge to end racial profiling and sexual discrimination in the workplace; to support a woman’s right to choose; and to assist in authoring the 1993 Gun Control Act and advocating for a sensible assault weapons ban reauthorization bill. His interest in speaking honestly also led him, in April, 2005, to break with most of his party over House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s alleged ethics violations; he was the first Republican to say DeLay should step down from his post.

He has been a supporter of the Iraq War, and in 2006 lobbied for a timetable to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq. He was the first U.S. Congressman to visit Iraq after the war began and by 2008 had traveled to Iraq more times than any other member of Congress. Mr. Shays interests also include the Peace Corps, in which he was a volunteer from 1968-1970 with his wife Betsi. While in congress, he helped establish the AmeriCorps national service program and co-founded the Congressional National Service Caucus. Some of his other roles included being a senior member of the Government Reform Committee, Ranking Member of its Subcommittee on National Security and a member of the Homeland Security and Financial Services Committees.

This special event is co-sponsored by the Leadership Legacy Experience and the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center.

For more information, please contact Jean Nelson at jean.nelson@uconn.edu.