[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 60 (Wednesday, April 16, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S3077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING JIM ADAMS

 Mr. SUNUNU. Madam President, today I recognize Jim Adams, a 
Pittsfield, NH, resident who recently retired from a 35-year career 
with the United States Postal Service.
  After bravely serving his country for 4 years in the United States 
Navy, Mr. Adams began his postal career as a Manchester mail carrier in 
1973. During his 10 years in this position, Jim personified the Postal 
Service maxim, ``neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night 
stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed 
rounds,'' through many difficult New Hampshire winters, and 
unpredictable New England summers.
  During this time, Jim took night classes and earned a degree in 
business management from New Hampshire College which, along with his 
dedicated work ethic, helped propel him through the ranks of the Postal 
Service.
  After 3 years in the management ranks of local New Hampshire post 
offices, Jim spent time in both Syracuse, NY, and Washington, DC, 
learning the ins and outs of the Nation's second largest employer. In 
1992, Jim was selected as the executive assistant to the Postmaster 
General, becoming the first person ever to rise all the way through the 
ranks from an entry level craft position to attain that post.
  In 1997, Jim returned home to New Hampshire as the district manager 
for customer service and sales, and in 2003, when the New Hampshire and 
Vermont Districts merged, Jim assumed the responsibility for both 
States. During this time, he oversaw 7,000 employees as they worked to 
ensure more than 6 million pieces of mail arrived on time throughout 
both New Hampshire and Vermont each day. In fact, over the last 4 years 
of his tenure, 98 percent of the mail in his district was delivered on 
time; and during the past 6 years, New Hampshire has earned the highest 
customer service ratings in the Nation. All the while, Jim improved the 
district's safety record from worst in the Nation to tenth best.
  For all of Jim's success, his shining professional moment will be his 
leadership during the anthrax crisis that plagued the Nation shortly 
after September 11, 2001. His personal involvement in handling the 
crisis helped calm the fears of postal workers and citizens alike, and 
he helped us all get through the fear and distress that went hand-in-
hand with this highly volatile bioterrorist attack.
  Over the course of his career, Jim had the opportunity to meet five 
Presidents and play a role in the development of several well 
recognized commemorative stamps, including the World War II, Elvis, and 
POW/MIA stamps. From a local boy delivering mail with 3-cent stamps in 
1973, to a district manager overseeing a $500 million budget in 2008--I 
would say that is a career well done.
  Jim's well rounded operations and managerial experience gave him a 
unique and comprehensive view of the organization, which he was able to 
put to work for the benefit of the millions of postal customers in his 
district.
  I have known Jim and his wife Sandra for many years and am sure they 
are looking forward to many relaxing years together with their children 
and grandchildren. He has dedicated himself to public service staying 
true to the ideal of placing the needs of others before those of 
yourself. Now I join with so many others in extending warm wishes as 
they begin a well deserved retirement together.

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