[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 152 (Monday, October 19, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S7303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         TRIBUTE TO TOM BRENNAN

 Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, today, I wish to honor Tom Brennan--
a long-time reporter and editor at my hometown paper, the Mansfield 
News Journal. This week, Tom will retire from the News Journal after a 
43-year career in journalism.
  Tom and I are both natives of Richland County, OH. He has been with 
the News Journal since 1972 in various roles, so we have known each 
other for pretty much our entire careers.
  I have always had a bit of a soft spot for journalists--after all, I 
married one.
  And as with any journalist, Tom and I haven't always seen eye-to-eye 
on every issue, but I have always respected his integrity and the 
important service he provides to the Mansfield community.
  He has always been fair and civic minded and has taken seriously one 
of his most important jobs: holding politicians like me accountable.
  Through his leadership in the newsroom, Tom has not only demonstrated 
a deep passion for serving our community, he has also been a coach and 
mentor to so many men and women who have worked at the News Journal for 
the last 40 years. He has helped them to become accomplished writers 
and reporters and has helped ensure that the News Journal will continue 
his legacy of thoughtful, quality journalism.
  Over the past four decades, Tom has faced a changing news industry, 
and he has always responded with the best interest of his writers and 
the community in mind. The evolution of this business has put too many 
local papers out of business.
  But Tom and his team have been able to keep the News Journal in 
print, while reaching new audiences online, and that is a great 
accomplishment.
  Tom's impressive career in journalism isn't the only way he has 
served the Mansfield community. He has been active in many local 
organizations, including the Mansfield Children's Theater Foundation, 
the local chamber of commerce, the Richland County Economic Development 
Corporation, the North Central State College Foundation, and the 
Mansfield Military Affairs Committee.
  While he will be missed by many, I have little doubt that the end of 
his career will not be the end of his community engagement.
  I join his readers and newsroom staff in wishing him the best for a 
fulfilling retirement worthy of his honorable career.

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