[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 142 (Saturday, October 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO JIM RUPP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GLENN POSHARD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 1998

  Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my 
constituent and dear friend, Mr. ``Jolly'' Jim Rupp of Decatur, 
Illinois who has recently passed. He was a devoted public official and 
my condolences and best wishes go to his family and all who will miss 
him.
  Some of my Illinois colleagues may remember Jim as Decatur's mayor 
from 1966 to 1976 and state senator until 1986. But anybody who knew 
Jim, knew him as ``Jolly Jim.'' He was always happy, rarely ever down 
in spirit. His smile would warm you up on the coldest of mornings, and 
his personality was genuine. Jim got along with anybody and everybody. 
This was his best quality not only as a politician, but as a person. He 
was cut from a different type of political cloth. Jim realized that 
politics relied on personal qualities, and paying attention to the 
grass roots. He would make visits just about everywhere he represented 
to arouse interest in issues, and gain support from constituents. In 
fact, he was once quoted that he loved making these visits so much, 
that he could rarely ever complete a personal house chore. 
Nevertheless, he took the concept of politician to mean personable, and 
in touch with his constituents, which is a quality public officials 
still need to follow.
  Jim grew up in New Jersey, and served in World War II and the Korean 
War proudly for this nation. He married Florence Reineke in 1944, who 
unfortunately passed away last December. He moved to Decatur in the 
1950's and became partner and later sole owner of Creighton-Jackson 
Insurance Agency. Jim was then elected mayor several years later in 
1966. He also offered much of his time outside of public office in the 
Decatur community. Jim was a member of the Rotary International, VFW 
Post 99, Decatur Shriners Club and the American Legion Post 105. 
Moreover, Jim was a devout Christian and a charter member of Woodland 
Chapel Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his sons James and 
Jeffrey and their families.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Mr. Jim Rupp, whose 
dedication to his community has had a profound impact on those who knew 
him, including myself. It has been an honor to represent him in the 
United States Congress. I will miss ``Jolly Jim'' immensely. His style 
was so unique and he was so humble. Many of our national and local 
leaders need to follow in his footsteps to succeed in politics and in 
life as he did.

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