[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 163 (Wednesday, November 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO J. THOMAS DE BRUIN ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 1999

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, November 19, 1999, Mr. J. Thomas 
De Bruin of West Long Branch, NJ, will be honored on the occasion of 
his retirement from the State of New Jersey's Office of the Public 
Defender, after 31 years of distinguished public service.
  Mr. De Bruin served as a police officer in West Long Branch from 1967 
to 1970. In October of 1970, he began working at the Public Defender's 
Office in what would prove to be a long and impressive career. From 
1991 until his retirement, Mr. De Bruin was a Chief Investigator, and 
since 1995 he has been the Supervisor of the Polygraph Unit. He has 
been a certified polygraph examiner since 1982. His professional 
memberships include: the New Jersey Polygraphists, Inc., since 1983, 
and Past President 1997-98; the American Polygraph Association since 
1986, including service on the Membership Committee 1998-99; and the 
Public Defenders' Investigators' Association of New Jersey, 1971-91.
  Mr. De Bruin was also very active in community affairs. He served on 
a number of commissions and bodies in his home town of West Long 
Branch, including: the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Sport 
Association, the Recreation Commission and the Historic Society. Mr. De 
Bruin is a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Old First United 
Methodist Church. He has served as Director of the West Long Branch 
Little League and as Treasurer of the Public School PTA. He has been a 
Webelos Leader of the Cub Scouts of America, and President of the Shore 
Regional High School Quarterback Club. He was a Manager/Coach of the 
first championship season of the West Long Branch Lions of the Seaboard 
Bigger League in 1971. Mr. De Bruin has also served as Musical Director 
of the Asbury Park and Red Bank Area Chapters of the Society for the 
Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in 
America.
  Tom De Bruin resides in West Long Branch with his wife Louise. They 
have two adult sons, Brian and Dominick, and a daughter-in-law.
  Mr. Speaker, the Office of the Public Defender will be much the 
poorer with Mr. De Bruin's departure. But I am confident that Monmouth 
County will continue to benefit from his commitment to service and 
dedication to our community for many years to come.

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