[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 146 (Monday, September 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN TRIBUTE TO JAMES R. McMANUS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 74TH BIRTHDAY

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 15, 2008

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a 
true American institution--James R. McManus, who has led the McManus 
Midtown Democratic Association since 1963, on the occasion of his 74th 
birthday. Jim McManus has devoted his life to New York politics and to 
his community. He is a warm and generous friend, and a thoughtful 
advisor to generations of politicians.
  Politics is in Jim's blood. He was born into one of the great 
political families. His great-uncle Thomas J. McManus (widely known as 
``The McManus'' or just simply ``The'') earned the respect of the 
entire political world by defeating George Washington Plunkitt, one of 
the most powerful members of Tammany Hall, to win the position of 
District Leader. He later became a New York State Assemblyman and State 
Senator. Jim's great-uncle Charles A. McManus was Vice President of the 
Board of Aldermen, the predecessor to the New York City Council. His 
father, Eugene McManus, was a local District Leader. And Jim McManus 
has followed the family tradition and proudly serves as District Leader 
and leader of the McManus Midtown Democratic Association.
  Under Jim's leadership, the McManus Midtown Democratic Association is 
one of the few political clubs that continue to consider service to the 
community to be one of their prime responsibilities. People turn to the 
club for help with housing, social services, immigration, education, 
ESL classes and other concerns. Through the years, they have helped 
thousands of local residents and businesses resolve difficult problems.
  Jim McManus worked for 12 years in the production department of The 
New York Times, and subsequently was a senior administrator of the 
Board of Elections. He has also worked with the family funeral home. 
Throughout, politics was Jim's first love and his chief preoccupation. 
Jim loves his neighborhood, his city and his country, and he has always 
worked to improve the quality of life in his community. He is a giant 
in New York's Democratic Party. His advice and good wishes are deeply 
valued.
  Of all the events on the political calendar, the one I have always 
liked best is the St. Patrick's Day Breakfast hosted by Jim McManus and 
a few fortunate others. Everyone who is anyone in New York politics 
views this event as a mandatory stop--politicians from both parties, 
Mayors, Senators, Congressmembers, local elected officials all stop by 
to pay homage to the Irish, and to salute the magnificent Jim McManus.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in 
recognizing one of New York's great political forces--the incomparable 
James McManus.

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