[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE IRS BROOKHAVEN SERVICE CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 1997

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the many valued 
employees of the Internal Revenue Service's Brookhaven service center, 
as it celebrates its 25th year of operation in Brookhaven Town, Long 
Island. Located in Holtsville, in the heart of this great town, the IRS 
Brookhaven service center has enriched local residents through its 
employment opportunities and mentoring programs for the taxpayers of 
New York.
  Most notably, though, the Brookhaven service center has created a 
selfless, community-focused vision during the past 25 years. It has 
helped provide a greater degree of community togetherness through its 
many services, and improved its communication with taxpayers through 
its employees' dedication and diligence. The taxpayer assistance the 
center provides are quite exceptional--from answering thousands of 
taxpayers' calls on a toll free line, to resolving customer complaints 
cases. Employing nearly 5,000 workers during peak times of year, the 
Brookhaven service center is crucial to the economic development of the 
town.
  The Brookhaven service center would not thrive if not for the 
excellent service that its staff provide its customers, the American 
taxpayer. The continued growth of the center, and the diversity of 
services it provides, is a fitting tribute to the employees who have 
helped to forge a strong and lasting relationship with the people of 
Brookhaven.
  The importance of the Brookhaven service center to the Federal 
Government can not be understated, even as we pay tribute to this 25th 
anniversary. Last year, the service center processed 16 million 
individual and business returns from Montauk Point on the East End of 
Long Island, to Atlantic City on the southern shore of New Jersey. The 
employees of this center work hard for the people all over America who 
call with questions and concerns when the April 15 tax season rolls 
around. They are problem solvers, providing a great service to their 
fellow Americans. Brookhaven service center employees also donate their 
time and resources to town food drives, annual Christmas toy drives, 
and the Salvation Army. Each year, employees also give blood in 
conjunction with the Greater New York Blood Program.
  At the Brookhaven service center, a diverse group of Long Islanders 
have come together with one common goal--to provide assistance to their 
neighbors and fellow citizens. As they commence their 25th year of 
service, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to 
join me in saluting the Brookhaven service center's work, and to 
applaud a true community partnership.

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