Former Congressman Chris Shays to speak at Dodd Center on April 7

Former U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays will deliver a lecture titled, “Principles, Politics, and Leadership: The risks and rewards of staying true and speaking honestly in Washington,” on April 7, at 5 p.m. in Konover Auditorium at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center.

Shays recently donated his Congressional papers to the Dodd Center.

Shays spent 21 years representing Connecticut’s 4th District in Congress as a Republican. Known for his moderate views, he is considered by many to be a social liberal and a fiscal conservative, and 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 to hold a 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 helped establish the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) program, which has helped reduce crime through the United States; helped lead the charge to end racial profiling and sexual discrimination in the workplace; supported a woman’s right to choose; and assisted in authoring the 1993 Gun Control Act and advocating for a sensible assault weapons ban reauthorization bill.