[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E41]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO JAMES R. TILLING FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE 
                             STATE OF OHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 8, 2003

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
pay special tribute to an outstanding gentleman, and good friend, from 
Ohio. Jim Tilling came to Ohio, in September 1969, to begin a career as 
a political science professor at Ohio University in Athens. He spent 
six years at Ohio University where he taught courses in American 
national government, urban government, Soviet government and foreign 
policy. In 1973-74, he was named a ``University Professor''--an honor 
given each year to the ten best teaching professors at Ohio University.
  Mr. Speaker, in February, 1977, Jim joined the staff of the Senate 
Republican caucus in the Ohio General Assembly. He began as its 
Director of Communications and Research, then served two terms as 
Minority Chief of Staff. He was elected Clerk of the Senate for 1981-
82.
  From January 1984 until April 1994, Mr. Tilling served as Chief 
Executive Officer of the Senate with me when I was Senate President and 
also for my successor, Senate President Stanley Aronoff. In that 
capacity, he was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the 
Senate's staff and also worked with Senate Republican members to 
develop their legislative policy agenda.
  In 1981-82, Jim was the principal co-author of the bi-partisan 
congressional redistricting plan, which determined congressional 
district boundaries for that decade. In 1991, he served as secretary to 
the Ohio Apportionment Board, in which capacity he was the principal 
author of the redistricting plan for the Ohio General Assembly in the 
1990's. Jim has served as Chief of Staff for the Ohio Attorney General 
since January 9, 1995.
  Jim Tilling has had a significant impact on public policy in Ohio. He 
is the public servant not often seen or heard from in the media. 
However, he is the person that makes the operation work. His 
substantive knowledge and steadfast patience have served well the many 
elected officials in Ohio with whom Jim has served. These chances to 
give back to the public have brought him a lifetime of both personal 
and professional achievement. Jim truly is a valued asset to the state 
of Ohio.
  Jim will leave big shoes to fill in the halls of Ohio state 
government. His wisdom, honesty and forthrightness are attributes to 
which all public servants should aspire. He has set an example for 
everyone on how to live a life of service, putting the greater 
interests of the community before one's own.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute 
to James R. Tilling. Our communities are served well by having such 
honorable and giving citizens, like Jim, who care about their well 
being and stability. We wish Jim, his wife, Cathy, and their family all 
the best as we pay tribute to one of our state's finest citizens.




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