[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 187 (Wednesday, December 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF THE HONORABLE JAMES E. BURCH

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                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2011

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
extraordinary life and work of the Honorable James E. Burch, known to 
all as `Jim', who died on Monday, November 28, 2011, at the age of 85.
  Jim Burch was born on February 27, 1926, in Evanston, Illinois to a 
World War I veteran and a religious pacifist. He, his parents and two 
brothers moved to San Mateo, California in 1940. Jim graduated from San 
Mateo High School in 1943 and served in the U.S. Army until 1946.
  He returned to civilian life and launched a very successful career in 
advertising, retiring in 1974 to serve his community as a volunteer. He 
co-founded San Francisco's Urban Coalition and was President of Palo 
Alto's Creative Initiative Foundation, which evolved into Beyond War 
and then into the Foundation for Global Community, organizations he 
volunteered with for 36 years. He gave so generously of his time and 
considerable talents to many other organizations, including the Boy 
Scouts, United Way, NAACP, and most recently he served on the Palo Alto 
Police Chiefs Advisory Committee, where his wise counsel earned the 
respect of the entire committee.
  In 1999, Jim was elected to the Palo Alto City Council, and he was 
elected Mayor in 2005. At the age of 78, he was the City's oldest 
Mayor, but he served in the role with energy, enthusiasm and 
distinction. He was honored for his Lifetime of Achievement by Avenidas 
in 2011.
  I was privileged to know and work with Jim Burch for many years. He 
was a friend, a mentor, and an inspiration to me. The memory of this 
strong and gentle, wise and funny, proud and humble man will live long 
after him, as will his countless contributions which have made our 
community better and our country stronger.
  Jim's son, Bill, is quoted as saying ``My father led a life of giving 
to his family, of giving to his community, of giving to his city and 
giving to the world.'' His daughter, Barbara Lindsay, said ``He was the 
most giving person in terms of what he sought to do out in the world 
and his hometown.'' There can be no greater tributes than these from 
his beloved children.
  I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in honoring the 
life and the accomplishments of Jim Burch, and extend our deepest 
sympathy to his wife Wileta, and his children, Barbara, and Bill.

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