[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 174 (Tuesday, November 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MAYOR JAMES RAINWATER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACK KINGSTON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 25, 2003

  Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, it is with a solemn heart that I take this 
opportunity to pay tribute to the life of James Rainwater, mayor of 
Valdosta, GA, who passed away recently at the age of 62. James is 
survived by his two daughters, a son-in-law and two grandchildren: 
Jamie Rainwater, Michael and Robin Woodruff, Blake and Jarred Woodruff.
  Jimmy Rainwater began his political career as a councilman in 1986 
before he took the Mayor's seat two years later. With nearly 16 years 
in office, Jimmy Rainwater served as Valdosta's Mayor longer than 
anyone in the city's past. When he entered the office of Mayor, he 
addressed and solved many problems that were plaguing the city, from 
poor quality drinking water to slow growth of industry to the low 
morale of the city employees and departments. From 1988 to 2003, Mayor 
Rainwater saw Valdosta grow to become home of Valdosta State University 
and achieve metropolitan status. He helped save Moody Air Force Base 
from closing and saw the accreditation of the police and fire 
departments.
  Jimmy Rainwater wasn't just a mayor in the traditional sense of an 
official who presides over City Council and attends to the business of 
the city. He was devoted to these tasks. He rarely missed a council 
meeting. He often worked the phones and personally visited people to 
get things done. But there was more to his tenure as mayor than just 
attending to the business of the city.
  Jimmy Rainwater seemed to attend almost everything. Wearing a pair of 
his many cowboy boots, he was a familiar figure at business grand 
openings and ground breakings, in the newspaper and on local 
television, in neighborhoods and community events, at banquets, dinners 
and suppers, charity balls and organizational fundraisers. He presented 
awards and proclamations, attended funerals and retirements, church 
services and military changes of command.
  Mr. Speaker, Jimmy Rainwater was a fine American leader who will be 
sorely missed. It is my honor to rise and pay tribute to Jimmy 
Rainwater.

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