[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15681-15682]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      IN MEMORIAM OF BRIAN HONAN, COUNCILLOR, BOSTON CITY COUNCIL

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, Tuesday evening the Boston City 
Council lost one of its most capable and well-liked members, Councillor 
Brian Honan. I rise today to join with his family, constituents and 
staff in mourning the loss of this universally loved man. His brief 
time with us proved that politics can make a difference in people's 
lives, that the values of a small neighborhood can help guide a city, 
and that integrity and humility can transcend disagreements and carve 
out common ground.
  You don't have to search far to see what Brian stood for. There are 
two

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structures in the Allston neighborhood of Boston that stand as the 
pillars of his dedication and commitment he brought to public service. 
The West End Boys and Girls House sits on the opposite side of Ringer 
Park from Mary and Patrick Honan's home on Gordon Street, and together 
these two buildings symbolize the values of family and community that 
guided Brian through the public life he led and loved.
  Prior to being elected to the Boston City Council in 1995, Brian 
served as a Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney for six years 
under District Attorney Ralph Martin. Brian coordinated the prosecution 
of 15,000 cases a year in the Roxbury District and through his 
dedication and tenacity rose to be a supervisor in both the Roxbury and 
Dorchester District Courts. Motivated by a fierce instinct to bring 
violent criminals to justice, Brian created fast-track prosecutions for 
domestic violence and gun-related crimes and helped bring swift justice 
to those who put our families and communities in danger.
  Once sworn-in to the Boston City Council in 1996, Brian served with 
distinction as Chair of the City Council's Committee on Banking & 
Community Investment and the Committee on Residency. Through these 
committees, Councillor Honan co-sponsored an order to provide relief 
from costly prescription drug costs for Boston's seniors and helped 
increase housing and commercial opportunities by increasing much-needed 
capital improvement funds. Brian also fought for the Living Wage 
Amendment, sponsored legislation to preserve affordable housing for 
seniors, and co-sponsored the Domestic Partnership legislation.
  It is on the streets and in the homes of Allston-Brighton where 
Brian's most lasting achievements can be seen. After becoming a member 
of the West End House when it first opened its Allston Street location 
in 1971, Brian stood with his older brother Kevin as its most 
passionate advocates and defenders. As a councillor, he helped Allston-
Brighton build a shining new library in Allston and a brand new Oak 
Square YMCA facility in Brighton, which will stand as two enduring 
symbols of the dedication he brought to elected office. As a leader on 
such initiatives as the Allston-Brighton Area Planning Action Council 
and the Allston-Brighton Healthy Boston Coalition, Brian demonstrated 
his enduring commitment to helping children, seniors and families have 
an enjoyable and productive life.
  From the classrooms of St. Patrick's High School to Boston's 
courtrooms, Brian demonstrated a quiet strength that makes his 
premature departure all the more painful. Together with my constituents 
across Boston, I treasure the time we shared with him. I join with his 
family and friends in mourning his passing.

                          ____________________