[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN HONOR OF JIM JONTZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRAD ELLSWORTH

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2007

  Mr. ELLSWORTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of 
former Congressman James Prather ``Jim'' Jontz, who passed away on 
April 14, 2007 after a long battle with colon cancer. Jim dedicated his 
life to public service and environmental protection.
  In 1974, at the age of 22, he was one of the youngest people ever to 
be elected to the Indiana General Assembly. After 10 years in the 
General Assembly and 2 in the Indiana Senate, Jontz ran for the U.S. 
House of Representatives from Indiana's 5th District. He went on to 
serve three terms in the House where he fought for government 
accountability and preservation of the environment. After leaving 
Congress, Jontz moved to Oregon where he continued his advocacy for 
environmental causes.
  Jim Jontz was the kind of man that got into politics for the right 
reason: he saw a problem in his community and decided he could make a 
difference. He will be remembered for his strong conviction, his 
populist spirit, and his unwavering commitment to protecting the 
environment. I want to send my condolences to his family. He was a 
great public servant to the State of Indiana and our Nation.

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