M. who served as the second female governor of the state of Connecticut. Jody Rail has died at the age of 78. He died Wednesday at a hospital in Florida after a brief illness, his family said Thursday.
Rail was a Virginia- born Republican. In 1969 she settled in Brookfield, Connecticut. He served as Governor from 2004 to 2011. Known for his honesty and compassion, Rail used to lend a helping hand to people through personal letters and phone calls during difficult times.
In 2010, in an interview before leaving office, he said his greatest achievement was to “restore honor to the state of Connecticut”. After the incidents of corruption in the state, he made efforts to restore the credibility of the administration.
During his career, Rail worked to reform the state’s election funding system, implement standards for state contracts, and review the Ethics Commission. His efforts earned him great respect from all parties.
Both parties paid tributes to Rail after his death. His successor, Democrat Daniel P. “She succeeded in restoring stability and integrity to state administration during a difficult time,” Malloy said.
Ben Proto, chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party, said Rell took the governorship under difficult circumstances, but with his calm demeanor, command of administration and political skills, he put Connecticut on the right track.
Incumbent Democratic Governor Ned Lamont ordered all flags in the state to be flown at half- staff in honor of Rail. He said the railroad expanded health care and child care and made Connecticut one of the first states to legalize same- sex relationships.
In 2005, Rail signed a bill regarding same- sex civil unions, making Connecticut the first state to enact these laws without a court order. In 2009, he also passed a bill legalizing same- sex marriage.
Rell served as lieutenant governor for 10 years and represented Brookfield and Bethel in the state legislature for 10 years. In 2006, he won the election with a huge margin. She became the last Republican governor of Connecticut.
A few months after taking office as governor, she underwent a mastectomy and surgery after being diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine check- up. Just nine days after the surgery, she returned to the Capitol for her first speech. Then the audience welcomed him with applause.
Rail’s leadership style was honesty, calmness, tolerance and open approach to all. He appealed to overcome party politics and work together. “Cancer has made me think about my life from a different perspective. Now I am focusing on the things that really matter,” she said.
With the death of Rail, Connecticut has become a patient,An honest and passionate leader has been lost.
