[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1233-E1234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF JAMES LEE RACKERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 21, 2006

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I inform the 
House of the death of Mr. James Lee Rackers of Jefferson City, MO.
  Mr. Rackers was born in Jefferson City, on December 27, 1933, son of 
Lee and Helen Heislen Rackers. He attended Central Missouri State 
University and graduated from Lincoln University in 1956, with a 
Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary School Education. He earned his 
masters in Secondary School Administration from the University of 
Missouri-Columbia. He was united in marriage to Nancy Brettschneider on 
November 24, 1955. They were blessed with four wonderful children, 
three sons and one daughter.
  Mr. Rackers began his career teaching at Helias High School in the 
fall of 1956. He was the head basketball and track coach and assistant 
football coach. He was the Athletic Director from 1966 until 1967, when 
he became Assistant Principal. In 1971 Jim became the

[[Page E1234]]

first lay principal at a Catholic secondary school in Missouri. Jim was 
principal until 1992, when he became Helias' first Chief Administrator. 
In 1997 he became the first Director of Development for Helias High 
School and Executive Director of the Helias Foundations. On May 1, 
1998, the newly constructed Field House was named the James L. Rackers 
Field House in honor of his years of dedication and loyalty to Helias 
High School.
  Along with his successful career, Mr. Rackers was an active member of 
St. Peter Catholic Church and was also a member of numerous 
professional and community organizations. Mr. Rackers was a member in 
the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Missouri 
Association of Secondary School Principals, North Central Association, 
National Catholic Education Association, Committee on Accredited 
Schools Non-Public, and the Missouri Council for American Private 
Education. He received numerous awards; including the 1991 Communicator 
of the Year Award from the Public Relations Society of America, 1997 
Immaculate Conception Outstanding Alumni Award, 1997 Certificate of 
Appreciation for outstanding services to students in Support of 
Vocational Education at Nichols Career Center, and 25 year Silver 
Service Award of the Missouri Association of Secondary School 
Principals.
  Mr. Speaker, James Lee Rackers was a valuable leader in all aspects 
of his life. He was a genuine human being who would do anything for 
anyone. I know the Members of the House will join me in extending 
heartfelt condolences to his family: his wife, Nancy; his three sons, 
Dennis, John, and Timothy; his daughter Maureen; and all of his 
grandchildren.

                          ____________________