[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 56 (Friday, April 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E763]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          REMEMBERING AND HONORING THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM BREEHEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 15, 2011

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of 
Abraham Breehey, Director of Legislative Affairs and Special Assistant 
to the International President of the International Brotherhood of 
Boilermakers. A loving father, husband, and friend, Abe passed away, at 
just 35, on Thursday, April 14, 2011, at INOVA Fairfax Hospital in 
Virginia from brain tumor complications.
  Abe was born in 1976 in Binghamton, New York to Ray and Carol 
Breehey. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Sienna College in 
Loudonville, NY, his Master's Degree in Public Policy from the 
Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University of 
Albany, and graduated from the Trade Union Program at Harvard Law 
School. Prior to joining the Boilermakers in 2004, Abe served as 
Legislative Assistant for Representative Lloyd Doggett (TX-25).
  Throughout his life, Abe championed fundamental labor rights. He 
represented the Boilermakers on issues regarding the effects of energy 
policy and climate change on workers. Abe also testified in front of 
multiple U.S. Senate Committees and represented the Boilermakers in 
international negotiations regarding the United Nations Framework 
Convention on Climate Change. In addition, Abe advised the AFL-CIO 
Building and Construction Trades Department as Chairman of the 
Department's Legislative Task Force.
  Abe was a leading voice in the labor movement and was widely 
respected by his friends and colleagues. He was known for his passion, 
his warm personality, and his negotiating skill to merge both 
ideological and political goals into a practical solution.
  Abe is survived by his wife, Sonya, his beloved daughter, Abigail, 
his father, Ray, his mother, Carol, and his sister, Rachel. My thoughts 
and prayers go out to the Breehey family. Abe was a good man who will 
be dearly missed by his family, friends, and the labor movement which 
he represented.

                          ____________________