[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MR. JAMES (JIM) HODGE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 24, 2007

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an educator who 
spent nineteen years working in public schools, including those in my 
hometown, Menominee, Michigan. This weekend, Mr. James (Jim) Hodge will 
celebrate his retirement from a career of community commitment. I would 
like to commend him for his years of service to Menominee public 
schools and his long standing involvement in the Menominee community.
  Jim is a native son of the Upper Peninsula or a ``Yooper'' as we 
refer to them in our part of the country. Like many Yoopers before him, 
he worked for some time for the U.S. Forest Service in Ottawa National 
Forest outside of Ironwood, Michigan. Also like many Yoopers before 
him, he spent time as a laborer at the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Mine. Jim 
attended one of the U.P.'s great educational institutions, Northern 
Michigan University in Marquette, before moving on to the University of 
Michigan.
  Jim's appreciation for the importance of education in a community was 
fostered early when, through the Mott Foundation, he worked as an 
Administrative Intern in Flint Public Community Schools. One might say 
that program was his introduction to the field of education.
  Jim returned to the U.P. in 1968 where he began a nineteen year stint 
in Menominee public schools. His first job in Menominee public schools 
was Community School Director and, for the next six years, Jim would 
hold a range of responsibilities in the school system, such as Athletic 
Director, Department Head of the Physical Education Department and City 
Recreation Director. During this six year period, Jim was also 
Principal of the Menominee Area Public Schools.
  In 1976, Jim was promoted to Administrative Assistant to the 
Menominee Area Public Schools Superintendent. In this role, Jim 
performed a range of duties, supervising a variety of operational 
aspects of the Menominee school system. In 1985, Jim became 
Superintendent of Menominee Area Public Schools, a crowning achievement 
on a lengthy career with the Menominee educational system.
  During his tenure in the Menominee public school system, Jim was 
honored with several awards, including the Jaycee Young Educator of the 
Year award; the U.P. Community Education Association's Outstanding 
Educator Award and Lifetime Member Award; and the Menominee Chamber of 
Commerce Educator of the Year Award.
  In 1987, Jim left the Menominee school system, but he did not leave 
behind his involvement in the community. In 1988, Jim joined State Farm 
Insurance, establishing his own local business and providing insurance 
to many of the same people he had served for so many years as a school 
administrator. Working for State Farm, Jim earned numerous awards with 
the help of two faithful employees, Jane Yager and Mary Tickler.
  Throughout his career, in both the private sector and public 
education, Jim has remained an active member of his community on many 
other levels. He served as President of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church 
Council and spent two terms as President of Big Brothers/Big Sister of 
Menominee. Jim was also a Trustee of the Greater Menominee & Marinette 
YMCA Board of Directors.
  While Jim has enjoyed an active and successful career, he has always 
set aside time for family. He married Greta Theuerkauf in Menominee in 
1970. Together, Jim and Greta raised three children, Wade, Tiffany, and 
Tarra.
  Now that Jim has entered a well-deserved retirement, he will 
undoubtedly have more time to spend with Greta and his children. 
Hopefully, he will also be able to further indulge in his life long 
hobbies of skiing, camping and other outdoor activities, perhaps with 
his loyal dog and best friend, Reggie, at his side.
  Madam Speaker, my father was a public school administrator. 
Therefore, I am well acquainted with the dedication, commitment and 
time required for an individual to succeed in that field. Those who 
choose to pursue a career in public education do so less for personal 
gain and more to playa constructive role in their community. Jim Hodge 
clearly fits that description, having dedicated nearly two decades to 
Menominee's public school system.
  As Mr. Hodge and the Menominee community celebrate his career and 
honor his retirement, I ask that the entire U.S. House of 
Representatives join me in thanking him for his service and in wishing 
him, Greta, their children, and their newest grand child all the best 
for many years to come.

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