[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28189]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF KEITH ROMAINE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 18, 2009

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
life and accomplishments of Brookhaven Town Councilman Keith Romaine. 
Tragically, Councilman Romaine's life was cut far too short on November 
14 at the age of 36.
  Keith Romaine devoted himself to family and to the community he 
loved. Like his father, Keith believed in putting public service first. 
He served as a Congressional aide and small business owner before his 
election in 2007 to the Brookhaven Town Board. Although Keith could 
have simply run on his strong family name, he worked hard to establish 
his own identity and accomplishments.
  He served as President of the Moriches Bay Civic Association where he 
was a tireless advocate for this community.
  On the Brookhaven Town Board he worked equally as hard, serving as a 
full-time representative for his community. Among his accomplishments 
in just one term were closing the composting facility on Papermill Road 
in Manorville, working with other levels of government to establish a 
skate park, and legislation to reduce unnecessary vehicle expenses 
which will save Brookhaven residents millions of dollars.
  Shortly after his election to the Town Council, Keith sat down with 
me during some of my Community Office Hours and we discussed issues 
where we could work together. I saw his passion for his community and 
so did the people he represented.
  In one of his last interviews, when Councilman Romaine was asked why 
he wanted to serve in Town government, he gave a simple, but telling 
answer, ``You're the closest to the people.''
  Keith Romaine's career was only beginning and the Town of Brookhaven 
and Long Island will be worse off without him. My heart goes out to 
Keith's father Ed, his brother Kevin, his grandfather Edward, and the 
entire Romaine family on this tragic loss.

                          ____________________