[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 129 (Friday, October 4, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     COMMEMORATION OF JAMES MARTIN

 Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, I rise today to express my sorrow 
at the untimely and tragic death of a talented and dedicated public 
servant, James Martin. On the evening of Wednesday, October 2, Jim 
Martin became the first homicide victim in this week's violent and 
senseless string of shootings in suburban Maryland.
  Jim was an outstanding civilian employee of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Office of Marine and Aviation 
Operations, OMAO, the branch of NOAA that operates the agency's 
scientific ocean research vessels and the famous P-3 ``Hurricane 
Hunter'' aircraft. Jim served as a program analyst in the Resource 
Management Division of OMAO.
  For 16 years, first with the Office of the Comptroller, then with 
OMAO, Jim used his talents as a program analyst to advance NOAA's 
mission and core values. Jim was credited with single-handedly 
orchestrating and implementing OMAO's program to improve NOAA employee 
satisfaction, and with becoming a Diversity Coordinator not because he 
was asked to, but because he believed in the principles and in 
improving representation of diversity in the sciences. Jim began his 
commitment to diversity issues long ago, when he worked here in the 
U.S. Senate on Native American affairs as a legislative assistant for 
Senator Lee Metcalf of Montana.
  At NOAA, Jim also was instrumental in OMAO's adoption of a 
Washington, DC, elementary school and worked to get NOAA pilots and 
ship captains to talk to youth about our sea and skies. When the school 
needed computers, Jim quickly came up with 10 surplus ones for 
students. He was in the process of arranging a ``tour'' for the kids on 
a NOAA research vessel. Jim's demonstrated commitment to inspire 
minority youth to become future scientists sets a standard for us all 
to follow.
  Jim's colleagues say that he was always a gentleman, that he listened 
first, and talked second. With his subtle sense of humor, and ready 
willingness to help, Jim is already sorely missed by his colleagues 
throughout the NOAA community. Our deep condolences go out to Jim's 
wife Billie and their 11-year old son Ben in this very difficult 
time.

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