[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 115 (Thursday, September 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN REMEMBRANCE OF JAMES L. CHARLES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 2002

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of James L. 
Charles, a dear friend, constituent, community leader, and public 
servant who passed away on September 1, 2002.
  Jim was born in Adams County, Ohio on August 21, 1922. He lived a 
full life, having proudly served his local community and nation. Early 
on, he served in the U.S. Marines in World War II. Most recently he was 
a member of the Ohio Education Association, the National Education 
Association, the Highland Chapter of Ohio Retired Teachers Association, 
the Brown County Shrine Club, Georgetown American Legion Post #180, 
Masonic Lodge #631 of Columbus, Scottish Rite Valley of Dayton, and the 
Syrian Temple of Cincinnati.
  He earned a Bachelor of Education from the University of Dayton in 
1953, and a Master of Education from Xavier University in 1967. For 
much of his life, his passion was helping others learn to read and 
further their education.
  For a number of years, he owned and operated a restaurant in Dayton, 
Ohio, which established a co-op program so employees could get a 
college education. In addition, he served as the State Director of The 
National Right to Read Foundation and also as President of the Ohio 
Reading Reform Foundation. In the 1980's, he worked with the Ohio 
General Assembly on the issue of literacy, and he was the author of an 
Ohio State law, signed in 1989, which encourages the use of phonics to 
teach reading skills. Jim was a strong believer in the benefits of 
phonics, and through his personal efforts, he not only made a huge 
difference in the progress of phonics, but also in the reading skills 
of thousands of Ohioans.
  Mr. Speaker, Jim Charles made a difference in the lives of others. 
His service to our country and to Southwestern Ohio are to be commended 
and remembered well. All of us in Southwestern Ohio offer condolences 
to his wife, Dr. Doris Charles, and are thankful for Jim's many 
contributions to our community.

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