Former Congressman Christopher Shays, a Republican who served from 1987 to 2009, will speak to the New Canaan Men’s Club July 21, offering his perspective on ways the House of Representatives can move past gridlock.
In his time representing the Connecticut’s Fourth District, Shays forged a reputation as conservative on fiscal issues, but moderate on social issues. As an example of his bipartisan approach, Shays worked with then Massachusetts Democratic Representative Marty Meehan, to co-lead passage of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, which President George W. Bush signed. He remains the last Republican to have represented Connecticut in Congress.
The Men’s Club meets at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at 10 a.m. with the day’s guest speaker usually beginning remarks around 10:40 a.m., following the business portion of its meeting.
Since leaving the Congress, Shays has co-chaired the Commission on Wartime Contracting, an independent, bipartisan agency established to study wartime contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Prior to serving in the U.S. House, Shays was a state representative from 1975 to 1987, serving on both the Appropriation and Finance, Revenue and Bonding committees.
The Men’s Club has openings for new members, men 55-years old and above. For information about membership, email ncmens@ncmens.info.