[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 120 (Monday, July 24, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    A CAREER THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, July 24, 1995
  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, the people of Michigan are about to lose one 
of the greatest friends they have ever had. Jim Collison is retiring 
after 21 years of service in the Economic Development Administration of 
the U.S. Department of Commerce. He has had responsibility for EDA 
programs for the entire State, overseeing more than $600 million in 
more than 1,000 projects.
  Jim Collison helped make EDA programs succeed because he knew the 
people of Michigan, and he knew the realities of doing business in 
Michigan as a result of his being a life long resident of our State, 
and himself having been involved in a number of businesses and serving 
as an official of local governments. His dedication to his home State 
is a great example of how people can be productive in their own areas, 
rather than looking for the American dream in some place away from 
home.
  His presence in Saginaw goes back to his days at Holy Family High 
School in Saginaw, and his work at Saginaw Lumber Co. He then became 
involved in real estate development until he was appointed to the 
Zilwaukee Township planning department where he developed the city's 
master plan. He also served at Township Supervisor, and chairman of the 
county board of supervisors, before it became the board of 
commissioners.
  His sense of community extended beyond his professional activities. 
He serves as a lecturer and communion assistant at St. Matthew's 
Catholic Church. He also is a member of the Northwest Utilities 
Consortium and organized the board of urban renewal.
  In addition, he has been blessed with his wife of 44 years, Lozamae, 
and their five children and six grandchildren. There is no doubt that 
the support provided by his family has helped him succeed in being the 
kind of public servant that everyone can respect.
  Mr. Speaker, at a time when those who work for governmental agencies 
fail to receive the proper accolades for the excellent job that they 
are doing, I believe it is particularly appropriate to recognize and 
thank Jim Collison for his years of service. His work has meant a great 
deal to business development in Michigan, and more importantly, to the 
thousands of people who have benefited from the projects that have gone 
forward as a result of his careful consideration. His career truly has 
made a difference. I ask that you and all of our colleagues join me in 
thanking Jim Collison for his years of service, and wish him the very 
best with the new challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.


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