[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 161 (Thursday, December 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LATE JIM DUFF

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2005

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, it is with regret and deep sadness that I rise 
to honor James ``Jim'' Duff, a constituent from Rialto, California who 
passed away on December 11, 2005. I cannot begin to express how 
saddened I am by the passing of my friend Jim. All men die, but not all 
men really live; we can honestly say that Jim lived to the fullest. He 
was a model citizen, veteran, community leader, father, grandfather, 
and an extraordinary man.
  Jim Duff was born and raised in Bonham, Texas but lived in Rialto, 
California for many years until his passing. Jim was a remarkable 
example of courage and sacrifice. He joined the Air Force and fought in 
World War II and Vietnam. Jim was a dedicated soldier who risked his 
life in the line of duty. For instance he was part of Project Ivy, the 
famous first test of a hydrogen bomb at the Eniwetok atoll. 
Nevertheless, one of his proudest accomplishments was Operation 
Fiddles, an effort to deliver food to innocent victims of war.
  After 25 years of service in the military, Jim retired in 1970 to 
enjoy retirement with his lovely wife of 55 years, Mrs. Doris Duff. Jim 
and Doris met in Bonham, Texas where they grew up and went to school 
together. Aside from Doris, his sister Mary Fae Kamm, his son Bobby 
Douglas Duff, and two grandchildren. Sequoia and Madrone, survive Jim. 
His dedication and courage live in his family; his son is a successful 
business owner in Duncanville, Texas and his deceased daughter Carol D-
Lynn lost her life while rescuing her children from a dangerous 
riptide.
  Since retiring from the Air Force, Jim had become a fixture of the 
community. He was Commander of Post 8737 of the Veterans of Foreign 
Wars for fourteen years and held office within the organization at the 
statewide and national level, even serving as National VFW Post 
American Commander. In the Veterans of Foreign Wars, he dedicated 
himself to help fellow veterans by volunteering twice a week without 
fail at Loma Linda Veterans Hospital. Jim helped veterans fill out 
paperwork, file claims, and fight for the health care rights they 
deserve. I knew him well as a member of my Veterans Advisory Board.
  Mr. Speaker, I therefore wish to offer the condolences of a grateful 
Nation to the family of Mr. James Duff, an irreplaceable man who will 
not be forgotten.