[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF JIM MAPLES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DEVIN NUNES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 23, 2009

  Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
public service of Jim Maples, a teacher, a coach, past Tulare County 
supervisor, and a close friend.
  Some people in this world become larger than life, not because of 
their physical size or presence, but because of the number of people 
they influence in their lifetime. Jim Maples was both a father figure 
and a friend to many. His influence has been felt throughout the San 
Joaquin Valley.
  Maples graduated from Porterville High School and Porterville 
College. He earned degrees from Fresno State and UCLA. Prior to 
becoming county supervisor, Maples was on the faculty at Porterville 
College for 34 years, serving as chairman and advisor of the technical 
vocational department.
  Long active as a coach, Maples was inducted into the California 
Community College Basketball Hall of Fame in 1986. He was also named to 
the Porterville College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999, placed on the 
Porterville High School Wall of Fame in 2000 and received the Book of 
Golden Deeds Award by the Exchange Club International.
  Maples also had the privilege of serving on the Tulare County Board 
of Supervisors from 1992 until 2003. Maple's dedication to Tulare 
County was full-time. He was a powerful advocate for local law 
enforcement and was constantly engaged in the defense of our area's 
heritage and quality of life.
  Maples proudest accomplishment can be found in his loving family. He 
enjoyed a 54-year marriage with wife Myrna and was the father of two 
children; Vickie and Jaime.
  Jim Maples left his community of Tulare County a far richer place 
than the one he found, and for that we are blessed. He was a leader, a 
mentor, a statesman and will surely be missed.

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