Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
CONNOLLY, Andrew
CONNOLLY, Andrew. (July 30, 1983--Dubuque IA, Aug. 26, 2011). Connolly was a wrestler at STEPHEN HEMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL who won the 152 pound title in 2001 and in 2001 had a 27-2 record. (1) Enlisting in the military, Connolly had two deployments with the Iowa Army National Guard. The first from 2003-2004 was a peacekeeping mission to Egypt. (2) The second, a 22-month mobilization, included 15 months in Iraq serving as a team leader and truck commander that provided convoy security in western Iraq.
Diagnosed in February 2009 with spinal cancer, Connolly testified before the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity in Washington, D.C. This led Representative Bruce Braley to introduce The Andrew Connolly Veterans' Housing Act. This would extend for five years a housing assistance program for disabled veterans scheduled to end in 2011. (3) In 2007 the first Andrew Connolly Make a Difference Day was organized and supported by many businesses and organizations.
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Source:
1. Piper, Andy, "Dubuque Wrestlers Brace for Big-Name MVC Meet," Telegraph Herald, February 1, 2002, p. 9
2. Reber, Craig, "Home and Haven," Telegraph Herald, August 7, 2011, p 1
3. Ibid.
"Notable Local Deaths," Telegraph Herald, January 1, 2012, p. 48