[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 125 (Thursday, September 18, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN HONOR OF JIM BREMER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM ROEMER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 1997

  Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
in recognition of Mr. Jim Bremer of Wanatah, IN. Not only am I 
extremely proud to call him a good friend, but I am even prouder to 
call him a friend of his community and the entire State of Indiana.
  I first met Jim when I ran for Congress back in 1990. During the 
course of my campaign, people throughout his home county told me of his 
reputation for honesty, hard work, and common sense. Although he was--
and remains--a member of the opposite political party, his neighbors 
strongly encouraged me to seek his advice and support. It was soon 
after that I first sat with Jim Bremer in his famous garage, discussing 
the national issues of the day and gazing out at the beautiful 
arrangement of flowers that surround his entire home.
  During the course of our meeting, I was elated when Jim pledged to 
support me in the 1990 election. While the town of Wanatah is small, 
the people there are conscientious, hard working, driven by the right 
values, and very active politically. I knew that folks in Wanatah 
respected Jim and paid close attention to his opinions, and I thought 
his endorsement would mean a lot to my campaign.
  However, after Jim said he would support me, he solemnly proclaimed, 
``As soon as you get elected, I bet we'll never see you again in 
Wanatah.'' This was probably the only time I was able to prove him 
wrong. Not only do I continue to stop by and sit in Jim's garage, but 
every year I attend the Labor Day picnic he hosts in his backyard. And 
I do not exaggerate when I claim that the renowned event is equal to 
any picnic in the world. Jim roasts a hog, smokes three turkeys in 
metal garbage cans, and serves vine ripened tomatoes fresh from his 
Olympic-size garden. If you manage not to gorge yourself on this 
bounty, there then awaits an amazing assortment of Hoosier desserts--
courtesy of Wanatah's best kitchens and family recipes.
  After the meal, attentions invariably turn to politics and 
discussions of our Nation's future. Jim allows elected leaders like 
myself to address the scores of people in attendance, and there are few 
listeners who are shy about responding with their own views, comments, 
and criticisms. In this age of big budget campaigns, spin doctors, and 
television attack ads, Jim reminds all of us that small-town, 
grassroots democracy is alive and well in America.
  I am deeply grateful for Jim Bremer's work to emphasize the 
importance of personal relationships between citizens and their 
government. However, despite the vitality of our grassroots, the 
success of Jim's efforts rests entirely on the strength of his 
character and the personal respect he has earned from others. His 
unshakable--and sometimes biting--honesty is without question and 
beyond reproach. In addition, he possesses that special Hoosier brand 
of common sense that appeals to independents and people of both major 
parties. But above all, Jim is a hard worker who is committed to 
helping his neighbors and his community. As a veteran of the Korean 
war, a deputy sheriff, and an electrician on the job, Jim has exhibited 
the best American values of dedication, responsibility, and caring for 
others. I consider myself fortunate to be associated with him.
  I hope Americans in the future will not stray too far from Jim 
Bremer's example. If I did not know that he is a one-of-a-kind, I would 
say we need many more of him.

                          ____________________