[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 611]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING JOHN BRENNAN FROM NEW YORK

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                         HON. MICHAEL A. ARCURI

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 22, 2008

  Mr. ARCURI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of John 
Brennan, a resident of my congressional district in upstate New York, 
and his extraordinary record of service for World War II veterans.
  In the spring of 2004, John formed a committee with the goal of 
giving World War II veterans from Herkimer County, New York, a historic 
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the World War II Memorial in 
Washington, DC. The first 3-day, 2-night trip was in September 2004, 
and two more followed in May and September 2005. In total, 
approximately 190 Herkimer veterans traveled to DC. These all-expense 
paid trips, financed entirely by private donations, are believed to be 
the first of their kind in the Nation. Because all of their expenses 
were covered, every veteran who wanted to, and was physically able, 
made the trip.
  In 2007, he was approached about duplicating the Herkimer project for 
the World War II veterans from Oneida County, New York. In the course 
of four trips, more than 400 Oneida veterans made the journey to 
Washington. After the Hamilton County, New York, legislature contacted 
John, 17 World War II veterans from Hamilton joined the last Oneida 
trip.
  The son of James and Grace Brennan, John was born and raised in 
Cohoes, New York. He graduated cum laude from Siena College and Albany 
Law School. Currently, he is employed as the principal law clerk for 
Michael E. Daley, the State Supreme Court Justice for Herkimer County.
  In addition to his work for veterans, John's service to the community 
includes organizing the Oneida and Herkimer Counties Bar Associations' 
participation in the Herkimer County Marine Corps League's Holly Days 
Toy Drive and serving as an assistant coach in the Herkimer Youth 
Basketball Program. He is also active in many community associations, 
including serving as the vice-chair of the Valley Health Services board 
of directors and on the advisory boards of the Herkimer County 
Salvation Army and the Herkimer County Child Advocacy Center. In 
addition, he is on the district council of the Boy Scouts of America, 
Revolutionary Trails Council and the Herkimer County Law Library Board.
  John has been the recipient of numerous awards for his commitment to 
the community. He has received the Oneida County Bar Association 
Director's Award, the Mohawk Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross's 
Volunteer Leadership and Faithful Service Awards and the New York State 
Unified Court System's Merit Performance Award for Community Service 
and Humanitarian Pursuits. Veterans' organizations, including the 
Herkimer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4915, the Herkimer County 
Veterans Council and the Ilion Marine Corps League, have also 
recognized his work with awards.
  John's exceptional dedication to veterans is to be commended. Thank 
you, John, for all you have done.

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