[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 12, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. JIM BOREN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2010

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of myself 
and Congressman Dan Boren of Oklahoma to pay tribute to Dr. James 
Boren, a man who made a profound impact on our country through his 
public service and political activism. Dr. Boren's celebrated life came 
to an end on April 24 when he passed away at his home in Tahlequah, 
Oklahoma, at the age of 84.
  As my colleagues may know, Dr. Boren was the second cousin of our 
colleague, Congressman Boren, and first cousin to his father, former 
U.S. Sen. David Boren of Oklahoma.
  Dr. Boren served our country valiantly in World War II as a sailor in 
the Pacific, where his ship was struck by multiple Japanese kamikaze 
planes in the Battle of Okinawa. Following his distinguished Naval 
service, he embarked on a career in government.
  He served as Chief of Staff to Senator Ralph Yarborough until 1960 
when he joined John Kennedy's presidential campaign. Following 
Kennedy's victory, Dr. Boren received an appointment from the State 
Department for an assignment in Latin America. During his tenure in 
Latin America, he established the volunteer organization Partners of 
the Americas.
  Despite his remarkable career in public service, Dr. Boren's greatest 
impact was felt through his political activism. He dedicated much of 
his attention to government inefficiency and corruption. No one in 
Washington was safe from one of his satirical assaults. In 1972, he 
famously raced the United States Postal Service on horseback from 
Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., in order to highlight inefficiencies.
  Dr. Boren believed in the power of humor and satire to inspire 
political activism among the people. He never was without a witty 
remark pertaining to politics or government. During his Presidential 
campaign in 1992, the Apathy Party candidate notably stated, ``I have 
what it takes to take what you've got.''
  Personally, I will always remember his memorable line, ``if you are 
going to be a phony, at least be sincere about it.'' That's just one of 
the gems from his two books, When in Doubt Mumble and How to be a 
Sincere Phoney, a Handbook for Politicians and Bureaucrats.
  In addition to his political work and writing, Dr. Boren spent three 
decades as a scholar-in-residence at Northeastern State University in 
Oklahoma, teaching younger generations about the importance of 
activism.
  Dr. Boren is survived by his beautiful wife Norma, his two sons, two 
stepsons and his three grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join us in honoring the 
remarkable life of Dr. James Boren. His friends and family will miss 
his wit and humor, and everyone in this chamber can thank him for this 
famous quotation, ``When in doubt, mumble; when in trouble, delegate; 
when in charge, ponder.''

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