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Rep. Joe Courtney

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Congratulate Don Domina, General Manager of the Central Connecticut Cooperative Farmers Association who is retiring after nearly 35 years of service to the people and businesses of Connecticut.

Don Domina grew up on a farm in Vermont where his family, including his six siblings, raised dairy cows. Life on the farm led to interests in working with animals as a veterinarian, a passion he pursued as a youngster. As he grew older, Don left his family farm to pursue work in construction, building silos around New England and New York. In the late 1960s, Don moved to Connecticut to do construction work and later became a milk truck driver for Moser's, returning him to his dairy roots.

In November 1977, Don joined the staff of the Central Connecticut Cooperative Farmers Associations a truck driver. However in his nearly 35 years at the Co-Op, he has held more than a half dozen positions in nearly every capacity. In March 2004, Don became manager of the Co-Op, a position he earned through his hard work and lasting commitment to help his customers and their farms.

While he is retiring from his position as General Manager, I imagine we will continue to see Don active in the agriculture world for many years to come. Whether it is through his work with the Connecticut Poultry Association or the University of Connecticut's agriculture programs, Don's commitment to agriculture and the farm families across Connecticut will never tire. I want to extend my heartiest congratulations to Don on his retirement and ask my colleagues to do the same.