[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 159 (Wednesday, November 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2336-E2337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING ASSEMBLYMAN JAMES F. BRENNAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 12, 1997

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the work and 
achievements of Assemblyman James F. Brennan.
  Jim Brennan represents the 44th assembly district containing section 
of Park Slope,

[[Page E2337]]

Flatbush, Kensington, Parkville, Midwood, and Windsor Terrace. Since 
1994, Jim has chaired the assembly standing committee on mental health, 
mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Mr. Brennan also 
serves on four committees: corporations, authorities and commissions; 
education; and real property taxation.
  In his 12 years in the legislative, Mr. Brennan has sought to 
champion consumer protection, energy conservation, and social and 
economic justice. He is well known for his expertise on budget matters, 
school aid, and utility regulatory matters. He is the author of a major 
piece of budget reform legislation, the tax expenditure budget. This 
law, passed in 1991, requires the Governor to submit an itemized list 
of every special tax break that exists within the State tax code as 
part of the budget. This gives the legislature and the public the 
opportunity to scrutinize each tax break and to determine if it has a 
benefit to the public as well as to the private parties involved. Mr. 
Brennan also authored the exemption from the vault tax for New York 
City homeowners and the exemption from the New York City personal 
income tax for poverty level taxpayers.
  Mr. Brennan maintains an active presence in his district, 
participating in the many civic, school, and community improvement 
efforts with his constituents. To better serve his constituency, he 
maintains two district offices. He was first elected to the assembly in 
1984 after working for his predecessor, Joseph Ferris.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Assemblyman Jim Brennan 
for all of his years of faithful service to his country and to the 44th 
assembly district of Brooklyn, NY.

                          ____________________