[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 2 (Thursday, January 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E22]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF JIM ARMSTRONG

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 24, 2002

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of a 
true leader of the city of Torrance and dear friend.
  I met Jim Armstrong when I first ran for Congress. As a teacher of 
government and former mayor, he shared with me his great insight into 
the community. Indeed, in the years since, I came to value him as an 
advisor and friend. He helped me in every campaign and served as a 
member of my advisory committee on public education. He called himself 
a ``Harman man,'' and I was clearly an ``Armstrong woman.''
  It is hard to do justice to the true extent of Jim's reputation, 
influence, and impact. As teacher, councilman, mayor, and citizen, he 
exemplified the highest standard of community leadership and public 
service. During his six years on the Torrance City Council and eight 
more as Mayor, Jim fought for more parkland, for the Cultural Arts 
Center, for a new police station, and oversaw Torrance's renaissance 
into a beautiful and modern city. Even in retirement, Jim remained an 
active leader in the community, serving in leadership roles in the 
Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation, Torrance Education Foundation, and 
Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce.
  While Jim's work can be seen in buildings and parks across Torrance, 
his true legacy lies in the generation of students he inspired as a 
teacher. Countless students he taught have since pursued careers in 
which they too serve the community. I am proud to count myself among 
his students of politics, and am proud to be a part of establishing a 
college scholarship in Jim Armstrong's honor. This scholarship will be 
awarded to a student who exemplifies Jim's outstanding community 
leadership and scholastic aptitude.
  No one was more committed to Torrance, to service, or to education 
than Jim Armstrong. I will miss his counsel, his sense of humor, and 
his generosity, but mostly, my family and I will miss Jim.

                          ____________________