[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN RECOGNITION OF JIM RATHBONE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRANK RIGGS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 1997

  Mr. RIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jim Rathbone.
  For over 44 years Jim worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
in California. For the last 25 years, he has been the Program Director 
of Rural Housing Service based in Woodland, CA. In this job he has been 
responsible for the 502 Mutual Self-Help Home Ownership Program for 
California.
  Jim was born and raised in Sonoma County and has a close tie to the 
north coast. Many of my constituents who have built their houses 
through the self-help housing effort in California have benefited from 
his work and labor. Hundreds of lower income families have become 
homeowners in California thanks to his efforts in making this program 
work. For many, realizing their dream of home ownership has changed 
their lives forever.
  Jim did not overlook the importance of his position or isolate 
himself from the daily issues of his work. He has always been available 
and accessible to those with whom he worked in the rural communities 
throughout California. He was always responsive to individual 
situations--willing to listen and constantly trying to make the program 
work for families who do the work.
  His dedication and committed service is best exemplified by his work 
ethic. I am told that you could find Jim's car outside his office from 
sunup past sundown, often working well into the evening.
  Those of us concerned about the availability of affordable housing 
and home ownership for working families owe an enormous debt of 
gratitude to this man. He has surely helped a large number of families 
to participate in the self-help program and become homeowners. Jim's 
life-long work clearly demonstrates the importance of public service to 
our society. It also is a statement of how one person's work can make 
such a positive impact on so many others.
  Thank you, Jim, for a lifetime of devoted service to the north coast 
and rural Californians.

                          ____________________