[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 120 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO JAMES LOCHREY HARRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIAN C. DIXON

                             of california

                        HON. WILLIAM (BILL) CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 11, 1998

  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my distinguished 
colleague and friend from Missouri, the Honorable William L. Clay, in 
paying tribute to a giant of a man, Mr. James Lochrey Harris. Jim, as 
he is affectionately known to all who have had the pleasure of working 
with him during this long and distinguished profession, is retiring as 
the General Sales Manager of the Washington Hilton and Towers Hotel 
after an illustrious career spanning 31 years and 4 months. On 
Thursday, October 1, 1998, Jim's family, Hilton colleagues, and 
numerous friends will gather at a retirement gala in his honor. In 
recognition of his exemplary career, we are proud to have this 
opportunity to share this brief retrospective of the life of Jim Harris 
with our colleagues.
  A native Washingtonian, Jim Harris was born on August 21, 1935. He 
attended public schools in the District of Columbia, and graduated with 
a bachelor of arts degree in Psychology from George Washington 
University.
  Standing tall at 6' 4', Jim is a giant of a man--both literally and 
figuratively. He is one of the finest individuals that we have had the 
privilege of working with for more than two decades. Jim joined the 
Hilton family in 1967 as the hotel's Convention Service Representative. 
During his career with the Hilton family, he has held the positions of 
Assistant Convention Service Manager, Convention Service Manager, Sales 
Manager, and finally, General Sales Manager. Throughout his tenure, he 
has been an individual of inestimable good humor, patience and good 
will--and individual who has consistently demonstrated the utmost 
professionalism and integrity.
  It is almost impossible for us to think about the Washington Hilton 
and Towers Hotel and not think about Jim Harris. He has been 
instrumental in bringing hundreds of major conventions and conferences 
to this city, and is perhaps best known not only for his impeccable 
professionalism and attention to detail, but his kind and gentle nature 
as well. A modest man, Jim would be the last person to claim the well-
deserved credit for training and serving as mentor to several of this 
city's hotel sales executives, many of whom began their careers at the 
Hilton under his tutelage.
  Jim has received numerous awards in appreciation for his 
distinguished service to the hotel and convention industry, including 
the Credit Union National Association's ``Appreciation Award for 18 
Years of Service; the National Dental Association's Appreciation Award 
for 18 Years of Service; the National Dental Association's Outstanding 
and Consistent Service Award,'' and the Hilton hotels Corporation, 
Eastern Region's ``Excellence in Sales Awards.'' To this, we would like 
to proclaim Jim Harris the General Sales Manager's preeminent General 
Sales Manager of the hotel and convention industry.
  Mr. Speaker, although Jim is retiring and will be sorely missed by a 
multitude of people, he has made enduring contributions to the hotel 
and convention industry which shall serve as an important part of his 
legacy. We will miss him, but are pleased that he will now have more 
time to spend with his cherished wife Gerta, and their beloved son, 
James Patrick Harris, a junior at Brown University. It has been a 
genuine pleasure to work with Jim and we wish him continued success as 
he embarks on the next chapter of his life. We extend to him, Gerta, 
and James our best wishes for much happiness, excellent health, and 
bountiful prosperity in the years to come.

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