[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 148 (Tuesday, October 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING JAMES H. ``JIMMY'' RAINWATER

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 21, 2003

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, if there has been a more dynamic 
or visionary leader in public service anywhere in the United States in 
recent years than James H. ``Jimmy'' Rainwater, who served as Mayor of 
Valdosta, Georgia for 16 years until his death from a heart attack on 
Sunday, October 12, I don't know who it would be. In the words of the 
Valdosta Daily Times, he was ``Valdosta's voice, the city's 
representative, its administrator, ambassador, negotiator, cheerleader 
and leader.''
  Mayor Rainwater seemed to be everywhere at once. If there was a 
groundbreaking or ribbon cutting, he was there as a booster. If there 
was a new business or grant to secure, he was always in the thick of 
it. If a disaster struck, he was there to help and comfort those who 
suffered. As his city experienced an extraordinary acceleration of 
growth and development, he was there, leading the way.
  Valdosta emerged under his leadership as an officially designated 
metropolitan community. He played a leading role in the successful 
effort to save Moody Air Force Base, the community's largest employer, 
when the base was threatened with closure. He promoted tourism, which 
generates $175 million annually for the Valdosta area thanks to such 
developments as the Wild Adventures Theme Park, the Valdosta-Lowndes 
County Conference Center, the new Valdosta Regional Airport, the new 
industrial park, and many new hotels and restaurants. His support 
helped Valdosta State College become Valdosta State University. He 
pushed hard to strengthen the city's infrastructure, and during his 
tenure the city built a water treatment plant, completed a citywide 
paving program, and organized a nationally accredited police 
department.
  Mayor Rainwater was born and raised in another growing city within 
the Second Congressional District, Tifton, which I also have the 
privilege of representing. Citizens in Tifton remember him as one of 
the most outstanding students to ever come out of Tifton High, where he 
quarterbacked the football team, served as homeroom president, and was 
named to the Who's Who list. He more than fulfilled that early promise. 
In addition to serving as Mayor of one of Georgia's great cities longer 
than any other person in history, he was a successful businessman and 
was prominent in statewide municipal affairs as an active member and 
next year's President-to-be of the Georgia Municipal Association.
  When I learned of Jimmy Rainwater's passing at the age of 62, my 
first thought was that I had lost a wonderful friend. So did everyone 
who lives in Valdosta and our area of Georgia. He will be missed.

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