[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 143 (Tuesday, October 6, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING COL. JIM MUDD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 6, 2009

  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
honor a true leader, dedicated public servant, and a dear friend, Col. 
Jim Mudd, Collier County Manager.
  Jim served his country honorably for 26 years in the U.S. Army, 
achieving the rank of Colonel and retiring as the Commander and 
District Engineer of the U.S. Army Engineer District in Rock Island, 
Illinois. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 
1974 and earned a Master's degree in operations research from the Naval 
Postgraduate School in 1982. He was formerly Assistant Director of 
Civil Works, Central Region, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, 
D.C., and Chief of the Assessment Division, U.S. Central Command, 
MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is also a 
veteran of the Gulf War. He and his wife Annette have two children who 
are also serving in the armed services. His son Ryan is a Lieutenant in 
the U.S. Navy and his daughter Kati is a Captain and physician in the 
U.S. Army.
  After completing his military service in 2000, he moved to Collier 
County where he became the Public Utilities manager followed by nine 
months as the Deputy County Manager and eventually earning the top 
leadership position as County Manager on July 15, 2002.
  Throughout the years I have had the privilege of working with Jim to 
advance the needs of Collier County and the Southwest Florida 
Community. He has been committed to the people of Collier County for 
almost a decade even continuing his service after being diagnosed with 
brain cancer. Through this most difficult battle of his life Jim has 
shown grace and dignity. He has dedicated his life to his country and 
to the people of Southwest Florida and truly embodies the spirit of 
public service. Speaker, I ask that you join me in thanking County 
Manager Jim Mudd for his service to this country and the people of 
Southwest Florida. It is an honor to know such a great man, and a 
personal privilege to call him a friend.

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