On April 17th, Patriots Day, at the Annual Knights of Columbus Dinner Mr. Brett will receive the 2017 Lantern Award at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel.
Jim joins a very distinguished list of former recipients including form University of Massachusetts President William Bulger, former Mayor Ray Flynn and Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley.
Mr. Brett has been President & CEO of the New England Council since 1996. The Council, a nationally respected and influential regional organization, was established in 1925. It is an alliance of schools, hospitals, corporations, and other private organizations throughout New England, working together to promote economic growth and a high quality of life in the region. It identifies and supports federal policies of importance to all six states, and advocates for its membership regionally and nationally. Jim has been a leading voice in advocating for public policy issues such as health care, education, financial services and energy throughout New England and Washington, D.C. before joining the Council, Jim served for more than fifteen years as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives holding a succession of important leadership positions, including the chairmanship of Banking and the Committee on Taxation.
Jim served as the Chairman of The President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities and continues to serve as a member. In 2016 Congress appointed Jim to the National Council on Disability. He is also Chairman of the Governor’s Commission on Intellectual Disability and serves as the Chairperson of the Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission.
