State Senator Donald E. Williams, Jr.
May 19, 2005
Senate Passes Bill Allowing Frog Races in Windham for Fund Raising
State Senate President Pro Tem Donald E. Williams, Jr (D-Brooklyn) today announced the passage of a bill in the Senate that would allow the town of Windham to conduct rubber frog races for fund raising purposes. Under current state statute, Windham could not receive a permit for frog races, since the statute limited such races to rubber ducks.
"This piece of legislation holds a great deal of importance for the town of Windham," Sen. Williams said. "There has always been a local connection to the bull frog, dating back to the French and Indian War in 1755. This bill will allow the town to capitalize on that connection, for fund raising purposes."
According to Windham First Selectman Michael Paulhus, during the French and Indian War, the townspeople were awakened by an extremely loud hum, presumably the sound of the opposing troops. The townspeople got out of bed and readied themselves to fight on what is now route 14. What they found, however, were tens-of-thousands of bullfrogs all fighting for water in the area.
"This is a huge leap forward for Willimantic," State Representative Walter Pawelkiewicz (D-Windham) quipped. "The frog race raises thousands of dollars for the Covenant Soup Kitchen. It is an important event that benefits our community."
"This is a very positive bill with respect to fund raising," said Paulhus. "It keeps with the history of our town, and it's fun. It's a unique bill, and local non-profits will surely benefit from it." Paulhus also pointed to the infamous "Frog Bridge" on Route 32 in Windham, featuring giant bullfrogs atop spools of thread, as another example of Windham's ties to its history with bullfrogs.
The bill passed the Senate unanimously and moves to Governor M. Jodi Rell for her consideration.
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