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Maritime Aquarium Honors Darien Lawmaker For Commitment To Education

NORWALK, Conn. — The Bank of America, the Burnham family of New Canaan, and state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff of Norwalk and Darien were honored with Red Apple Awards at the Maritime Aquarium's 'Cirque de la Mer' fundraising event Thursday night.

Aquarium  marketing director Chris Loynd, left, of Stratford, and Red Apple Award winner Bill Burnham of New Canaan.

Aquarium marketing director Chris Loynd, left, of Stratford, and Red Apple Award winner Bill Burnham of New Canaan.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Guests at the Cirque de la Mer fundraiser get a warm and fun welcome at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk.

Guests at the Cirque de la Mer fundraiser get a warm and fun welcome at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
From left: Michael Widland, Aquarium President Brian Davis and state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff.

From left: Michael Widland, Aquarium President Brian Davis and state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Bank of America's Bill Tommins (left) and Aquarium Marketing Director Chris Loynd of Stratford.

Bank of America's Bill Tommins (left) and Aquarium Marketing Director Chris Loynd of Stratford.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The Bank of America, the Burnham family of New Canaan, and state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff are recipients of the Maritime Aquarium's Red Apple Awards at the Aquarium's 'Cirque de la Mer' fundraising event Thursday night.

The Bank of America, the Burnham family of New Canaan, and state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff are recipients of the Maritime Aquarium's Red Apple Awards at the Aquarium's 'Cirque de la Mer' fundraising event Thursday night.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The Bank of America, the Burnham family of New Canaan, and state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff were recipients of the Maritime Aquarium's Red Apple Awards at the Aquarium's 'Cirque de la Mer' fund-raising event Thursday night.

The Bank of America, the Burnham family of New Canaan, and state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff were recipients of the Maritime Aquarium's Red Apple Awards at the Aquarium's 'Cirque de la Mer' fund-raising event Thursday night.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
A big crowd turns out for the gala at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.

A big crowd turns out for the gala at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The Bank of America, the Burnham family of New Canaan, and state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff were recipients of the Maritime Aquarium's Red Apple Awards at the Aquarium's 'Cirque de la Mer' fund-raising event Thursday night.

The Bank of America, the Burnham family of New Canaan, and state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff were recipients of the Maritime Aquarium's Red Apple Awards at the Aquarium's 'Cirque de la Mer' fund-raising event Thursday night.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The Bank of America, the Burnham family of New Canaan, and state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff were recipients of the Maritime Aquarium's Red Apple Awards at the Aquarium's 'Cirque de la Mer' fund-raising event Thursday night.

The Bank of America, the Burnham family of New Canaan, and state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff were recipients of the Maritime Aquarium's Red Apple Awards at the Aquarium's 'Cirque de la Mer' fund-raising event Thursday night.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman

The awards honor companies, organizations and individuals who share the aquarium's concern for the natural world and environmental education.

"This event for the aquarium is important, because the money goes toward helping students to gain access, so all kids can have the opportunity to come to the Maritime Aquarium, and to become good stewards of the Long Island Sound," Duff told Daily Voice. 

"Tonight I get to receive an award, which I'm very honored to do. My parents are here, my wife is here, and I'm very humbled that they would recognize me, and a few other families as well. It's a great event. The Maritime Aquarium is a jewel in the crown of Norwalk, and I'm very proud to have them here in our community."

Fellow award winner Bill Burnham told Daily Voice: "I like to call this not just an aquarium, but a teaching aquarium. The Aquarium impacts 484 schools in the tri-state area, as far as educational programs. Around 110,000 students come through here annually, and we expect 120,000 next year. I'm saying this because I'm wearing the hat of the Chairman of the Education Committee."

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