Senator McCrory Receives the Alvin W. Penn Award for Excellence in Leadership

The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities honored Senator Doug McCrory, D-Hartford, on Thursday with the Alvin W. Penn Award for Excellence in Leadership, an accolade presented to officials who embody the leadership qualities of the late Alvin Penn.

Alvin Penn, an African American state senator from Bridgeport, dedicated his career to advocating for the urban poor and communities of color across Connecticut. He is best known for championing Connecticut’s landmark anti-racial profiling law, which bears his name.

Senator McCrory was recognized for his enduring commitment to advancing equity, justice, and opportunity for vulnerable communities in his district and throughout the state. He has been a vocal advocate for addressing systemic inequalities that affect people of color in urban areas, focusing on improving access to quality education and promoting economic development in underserved neighborhoods.

“This award means a great deal to me because it reflects the ongoing fight for fairness in a system that doesn’t always treat everyone equally,” Senator McCrory said. “As a legislator, my job is to ensure that underserved communities get the resources and opportunities they deserve. The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities is an important partner in this work, and together, we must continue pushing for real change. Alvin Penn was a trailblazer whose work still protects Connecticut residents today. It is an honor to be recognized in his name, and I am committed to carrying his legacy forward.”

The Alvin W. Penn Racial Profiling Prohibition Act was first adopted in 1999 and generally prohibits police from stopping, detaining or searching an individual on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, age, gender, or sexual orientation. The legislature has since expanded the law to require the reporting and collection of data related to traffic stops in an effort to identify and prevent the racial profiling of motorists.

The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) works to eliminate discrimination through civil and human rights law enforcement and establish equal opportunity and justice for all persons within the state through advocacy and education.

The group honored Senator McCrory with Alvin W. Penn Award for Excellence in Leadership during its 2024 Civil Rights Leaders, Legends, and Equity Forum and Awards Ceremony at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville on Nov. 14.

Senator McCrory represents communities in Hartford, Bloomfield, and Windsor. He serves as the Senate chairman of the legislature’s Education Committee and is a member of the Community Investment Fund board.

Contact: Hugh McQuaid | Hugh.McQuaid@cga.ct.gov | 860-634-4651