[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2119-E2120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JOHN W. JACOBS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. NATHAN DEAL

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006

  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, as a journalism major, John W. 
Jacobs, Jr., understands that a person's life is like a newspaper.

[[Page E2120]]

From the announcement of birth, an event over which we have no control, 
to the obituary notice, which we will never read, events fill the pages 
of our lives, and it is how we respond to or create those events that 
will determine if our life's story is worth reading or remembering.
  For John W. Jacobs, Jr., most of his life has evolved in Gainesville, 
Georgia, where he was born on November 28, 1922. He graduated from high 
school there and attended Riverside Military Academy for a year before 
venturing west to the University of Missouri to attend the prestigious 
journalism school. The outbreak of World War II interrupted his 
education and he soon found himself on the battlefields of Europe in 
one of the most important battles of the war, the Battle of the Bulge, 
where he was awarded two Silver Stars. When the war concluded, he 
finished his college degree and returned to his hometown where he began 
his career in communications by selling ads for a local newspaper.
  He soon joined some of his veteran friends and formed the radio 
station WDUN. In the years that followed, he formed, bought and sold a 
newspaper, a cable television system and an FM radio station. Today, 
his company, Jacobs Media, owns three radio stations, an on-line local 
newspaper, and a travel agency. He and his son and daughter are the 
sole shareholders.
  If that was all that John Jacobs, Jr., had done with his life and 
talents, it would be an impressive story worthy of an extensive spread 
in the business section of any newspaper. But that is only part of the 
story, for John understood that business success must be coupled with 
personal service if anyone is going to be inspired by the story of your 
life. And it is in this arena where the real story of John Jacobs can 
be found. He has served as President of the Greater Hall County Chamber 
of Commerce on two separate occasions, President of the Gainesville 
Jaycees, Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge, local President and Governor 
of the Georgia District of Kiwanis, President of the Georgia 
Association of Broadcasters and the Georgia Cable Television 
Association.
  In addition, John has been active in Grace Episcopal Church, serving 
as Warden and Vestryman, chairman of Building Funds and Day Reader. 
John recognized that Brenau University was one of the jewels in his 
hometown and he has served on its Board of Trustees since 1958 and as 
Chairman of the Board for 23 years. For his long service and charitable 
support, he has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree and the 
Business and Communications Building has been named in his honor. He 
has also served as an active Trustee at Riverside Military Academy 
since 1975. It is no wonder that in 2000 Georgia Trend Magazine named 
him one of the 100 most influential Georgians, and that the City of 
Gainesville presented him with a Distinguished Citizen Award at its 
180th Birthday Celebration.
  Since 2003 his primary involvement has been with the Northeast 
Georgia History Center and the completion of An American Freedom Garden 
which pays tribute to veterans and their gift of freedom. This year he 
will complete 2\1/2\ years as President of that organization.
  John's wife Martha Rand Jacobs, and their children, Elizabeth 
Carswell, and Jay Jacobs, and their seven grandchildren have set an 
example for service for all of us.
  John W. Jacobs, Jr. has filled the pages of his life with excitement, 
successes and service, and every day he is writing a new paragraph. He 
is an outstanding example of a purpose driven life, and he is a great 
encourager for all who would follow in his path.

                          ____________________