To the Editor:

In preparing to write this letter of recommendation for the amazing Tony Hwang, I spent a great deal of time discerning my beliefs on the qualities that are so critical in someone who represents the interests and concerns of the voting public in Fairfield County. To be sure, these days, the populace is challenged in so many ways ... from both societal and personal issues. Never before has it been more important that our representatives in Hartford and nationwide are individuals who truly do much more than make speeches and engage in rhetoric.

No, we need representatives that have a track record of “walking the walk” and getting things done for the benefit of their constituency. So many of us have grown tired of glossy language and empty promises; we need representatives who understand how accountable they are in terms of truly serving the needs of ALL of their citizens. Placing their own interests and opinions behind the true needs of those that they serve.

Throughout my professional and nonprofit (alsangels.org) career, I have never engaged with an individual that has as much determination, passion, initiative and as deep a commitment to achieving high goals and objectives in serving the needs of the citizenry of our community. Tony Hwang is uniquely qualified to continue to serve as our State Senator. Unlike so many politicians of our day, Tony continues to be engaged in the trenches actually doing the work to make a difference in our community.

There is no one that I have ever met that has as deep a commitment and track record for backing up his words with action. My work as a small business owner and head of a nonprofit organization helping children battling cancer, rare blood diseases and severe financial hardship has given me a front row seat for the commitment that Tony demonstrates to so many in our community. Tony backs up all that he says ... and writes with real action and hard work. His involvement in so many efforts within our community are too numerous to list. Suffice to say, in my opinion there is no other representative that rises to the level of Tony Hwang in making the sacrifices of time and energy required to help those in need.

Tony has always been a role model in his tremendous integrity and true sense of what is right and definitely what is wrong. I have learned a great deal about ethics, leadership creativity and commitment from observing the way that he leads his life. He has an incredible ability to inspire and lead others in building teams that share a common passion and vision.

We desperately need people like Tony in representative governmental roles.

Al DiGuido, President — Al’s Angels

Fairfield