Former Democratic State Rep. Gail Hamm Dies at 62

Gail Hamm, former Democratic member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, has passed away. 

Middletown Mayor Dan Drew on Thursday reacted to the news. "Gail was a devoted and caring public servant. Her commitment to the constituents and the communities she served was always evident. She was friendly and always went out of her way to help others. We will miss her," Drew said.

House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz, who represents Berlin and Southington in the Connecticut General Assembly, was devastated to hear of Hamm's passing.

 Gail was a dedicated public servant, whom I was privileged to serve with in the legislature. She was devoted and passionate, especially on children’s issues. Even when she was quite ill and should have been concentrating on her own health, Gail would instead come to Hartford to fulfill the duties of her office since she didn’t want to ‘let down’ her constituents,” Aresimowicz said.

Connecticut State Rep. Matt Lesser (D-100th) announced the news at 11 a.m. on his Twitter feed. “Gail was a friend and mentor and deeply devoted to the welfare of children in Connecticut. I will miss her and extend my deepest condolences to her family,” Lesser said.

“Gail Hamm was a passionate woman who loved the people of her district, most notably dedicating in her legislative career as a champion for the safety and well-being of children,” Gov. Malloy said. “She worked tirelessly with her colleagues at the State Capitol, and her presence will undoubtedly be missed.”

Last June, The Middlesex Coalition for Children inducted Hamm into its Children’s Champions Hall of Fame. 

In February, Hamm was also honored at the Humanitarian Awards Program for the Eastern Connecticut District (23-C) of Lions Clubs International.

In April, the East Hampton Village Lions chose Hamm as the recipient of East Hampton’s 2013 Citizen of the Year Award for her decades of service to the community and state. Hamm served on the Democratic Town Committee and various town boards in East Hampton.  

In 1991, Hamm, an attorney by trade, was elected to the East Hampton Board of Education. She was chair of their Personnel Committee where she shared her time and legal talents helping the town negotiate all union contracts. She served as chair of the Board of Education from 1995-1998. 

During the Rotary’s polio eradication initiative, both Gail and her husband Alan spent Thanksgiving 2006 in Niger.

According to Vote Smart, Hamm, who was born in Hillsdale, Mich., earned her law degree from Valparaiso University in 1978 and bachelor's in English and interpersonal communication/political science from Western Michigan University in 1973.