[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 59 (Friday, May 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            A WONDERFUL MAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2002

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon we honored a Celebration of the 
Life of Dr. James D. Ford, the Chaplain Emeritus of the House of 
Representatives.
  When we traveled to meeting with the delegations of the European 
Parliament, we found that Jim was a very fine companion. Jim Ford was a 
great teacher. When we met diplomats and officers, Jim was able to 
lighten up some of us who were stressed from negotiations and 
differences among various factions.
  Jim was a fine scholar of the Bible. When we were in Israel, Jim was 
well versed in three of the great religions which are in Jerusalem. 
Before Chaplain Ford came to the House, he had been for 18 years as the 
Chaplain of the United States Military Academy at West Point. As a 
result of his experiences at West Point, he knew about youth and how 
they grow to be leaders for our country. When a delegation of the House 
met with General Wesley Clark, the Supreme Commander of the North 
Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO]. When the General met the Chaplain 
there was a warm hug. We saw a four star General, but, Dr. Ford 
remembered him as the very bright senior who was President of the Bible 
Society during Clark's senior year at West Point.
  Dr. Ford was an effective counselor of members that work hard and 
often needed to be working with people under stress.
  One of Jim's great adventures was when he and three volunteer cadets 
from West Point navigated a boat with sails, guided by the stars. The 
waves tossed the small boat in the North Atlantic Ocean. It was a great 
experience.
  Jim was a people-person. When colleagues had medical operations at 
the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Jim would come out to see us. He 
brought us cheer. His humor was delightful.
  He will not be forgotten. Our condolences to Marcie, his wife, and 
Peter his eldest son, and the Ford family.

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