[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 110 (Thursday, July 21, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H5291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING SHERIFF JAMES ``DEE'' STEWART

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, as an elected Member of Congress, I 
have the honor to serve and represent the people of the Third District 
of Georgia through my voting record and through participation in the 
lawmaking process.
  Georgia's Spalding County sheriff, James ``Dee'' Stewart, represented 
his community through selfless service to his county, his deputies, and 
the thousands of citizens who elected him to four terms to be their 
protector.
  I come before the House today with a heavy heart to honor the nearly 
40 years of law enforcement service that was brought to a premature end 
on July 3, when Sheriff Stewart was killed in an automobile accident 
while on his daily patrol.
  I hope that one day my staff and my friends will talk about me the 
same way Dee Stewart's coworkers and friends did at his funeral. He was 
the kind of man who always led from the front. Even though he was the 
head of the department, it would often be his voice that came across 
the radio responding to calls no matter what time of day or night. He 
would rather put his life on the line than let anyone else cover for 
him.
  A man who valued his duty more than his sleep, Sheriff Stewart 
readily gave his personal cell number to anyone and made sure that 
everyone knew that he was available to them 24/7. That set him apart 
and contributed to his reputation as a man who really cared about the 
people of Spalding County.
  Chief Deputy Major Teresa Bishop called Sheriff Stewart the 
``greatest boss ever'' after 29 years of working together. He trusted 
his deputies to do their job and expected them to hold him accountable 
too. His humor made his employees look forward to each work day, but he 
took his responsibility very seriously, especially when it came to the 
safety of children and the elderly.
  Sheriff Stewart is remembered as having a huge heart, a heart as big 
as Spalding County. In a testament to the number of lives touched by 
Sheriff Stewart's service, his funeral procession took nearly 20 
minutes to pass by.
  I stand here on behalf of his wife, Janice; his children, Jay, Hope, 
Joey and Darren; his 11 grandchildren; and everyone who knew James 
``Dee'' Stewart as more than just a sheriff, but as a preacher, a 
marriage counselor, a friend, a father, and a husband.
  The Bible says: ``Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be 
called the children of God.'' Sheriff Stewart embodied that verse.
  Thank you for your service, Sheriff. The people of Spalding County 
lost a great man on July 3, but your memory will live on. Many others 
will be inspired by your example to live justly and with kindness. You 
will be missed. See you later, Dee.

                          ____________________