[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 127 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       A TRIBUTE TO JAMES HILL FOR 25 YEARS OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 11, 2000

  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend, Jim 
Hill, who is celebrating 25 dedicated years of government service.
  I've known Jim since he worked as my chief of staff when I served in 
the Wisconsin State Senate in the 1970s. He came to the job an 
intelligent, energetic, enthusiastic and strongly principled young man, 
and quickly became a highly respected name in public service in the 
Wisconsin legislature. Jim's impressive understanding of issues made 
him a trusted and valued advisor during my years on the Senate's Joint 
Finance Committee, and his continued support was critical to my 
decision to run for Congress in 1984.
  Jim remained in Wisconsin, and joined the staff of Wisconsin's Dane 
County Executive Jonathan Barry, where he gained experience in the 
challenges of county government. But soon he and I had the opportunity 
to work together again, this time in Washington, DC, where he became my 
administrative assistant (AA). Jim was a fast learner and an 
outstanding AA, quickly developing expertise on a myriad of issues 
while providing strong leadership to a young and inexperienced DC 
staff.
  And although I know that Jim enjoyed the challenges of working on 
Capitol Hill, his first priority was and is his family. Knowing that 
the job of AA was incredibly demanding and meant frequent long hours, 
Jim decided to go back to Wisconsin, where he joined the staff of the 
City of Milwaukee's Department of City Development and later worked for 
the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.
  Jim's strong sense of social justice and his outstanding management 
skills then led him to his current employment with Milwaukee County's 
Department of Human Services, where he serves as administrator of the 
Division of Management Services. And, after 25 years of public service, 
he remains a well-respected and active member of our community, a man 
of unquestioned integrity and dedication.
  And despite holding positions of enormous responsibility, Jim has 
always maintained a healthy balance between his job and his family 
life. He is a dedicated father of two wonderful and talented sons, 
Patrick (who I am proud to say is my godson) and Daniel. He's also a 
devoted and loving husband to his wife, Christine.
  Throughout the past 25 years, Jim has remained one of my closest and 
most valued friends. He's always been there for me, in good times and 
in bad, and has been a trusted advisor and an ardent, vocal and 
hardworking supporter. I thank him for his friendship, and commend him 
for 25 years of outstanding service to our community, our state, and 
our nation. Congratulations, Jim!

                          ____________________