[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 105 (Thursday, July 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING JAMES ``JIM'' H. GRIFFIN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN M. SPRATT, JR.

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 15, 2010

  Mr. SPRATT. Madam Speaker, James ``Jim'' H. Griffin will retire on 
July 31, 2010, from the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation after 24 
years of dedicated service to the agribusiness community of South 
Carolina.
  Born December 6, 1952, Jim is the youngest of four children. His dad 
is 91 and still lives at home in Six Mile, South Carolina. His mother, 
``Sal'', passed away last year.
  Jim met his wife, Jeanne, on a blind date 37 years ago while she was 
attending Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Jim 
convinced Jeanne to transfer to Clemson, where he was studying, and 
they were married while still in college on June 30, 1973. Their first 
home was a prefab (tin house) used to house military in World War II. 
They have two children, Jesse (Charlyn) Griffin of Roanoke, Virginia 
and Johanna (Rich) Pressley of Indianapolis, Indiana. Jim and Jeanne 
currently reside at their home in Lexington County, South Carolina.
  Jim began his career after college as a teacher, but soon discovered 
teaching was not his true passion. He then worked in manufacturing and 
as an association manager until he landed himself at the Farm Bureau in 
1983. He did leave the Farm Bureau for a couple of years to work with 
Habitat for Humanity, which has long been an important cause to him. 
But the farmers of South Carolina needed him and his love of the 
agricultural community drew him back to the Farm Bureau.
  Jim is now retiring from the position of National Legislative 
Coordinator--a position that required frequent trips to Washington. He 
has worn out many pairs of shoes walking--very rapidly--through the 
streets of D. C. and halls of Congress leading Farm Bureau members and 
staff on these visits. I know I speak on behalf of the entire South 
Carolina Delegation and all those that have had the pleasure of working 
with him that his warmth, enthusiasm, knowledge and passion for 
agriculture will be missed both in Washington and in South Carolina.
  During Jim's retirement he will enjoy spending more time with his 
wife and visiting with his children who both live outside of the 
Carolinas. Jim has long practiced blacksmithing, which he plans to 
continue, and he will likely pitch in with the backyard chickens his 
wife Jeanne raises. Jim also has a passion for cooking and hopes that 
more free time might allow him to cook more often and try new recipes. 
A man with many hobbies, Jim looks forward to listening to and 
performing music, particularly bluegrass and old timey tunes. Since the 
age of 12, Jim has played the harmonica, learning from and being 
inspired by his blind grandfather who played.
  Jim deserves thanks for all the hard work he has done for farming and 
rural South Carolina. The Farm Bureau will have big shoes to fill. On 
behalf of the entire delegation, we wish Jim Griffin well in his 
retirement.

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