[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 192 (Wednesday, December 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN MEMORY OF JAMES ``JIM'' CRAIG

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE PENCE

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2011

  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of 
James R. ``Jim'' Craig, who passed away on December 9, 2011. Jim will 
long be remembered in the community of Pendleton, Indiana as an 
American hero and a civic leader.
  Jim was born on May 30, 1923, in Noblesville to Sydney and Kathryn 
Craig. Since 1934, Jim called Pendleton home. After graduating from 
Westtown Pennsylvania Friends School in 1941, Jim went on to study at 
Purdue University.
  During his time at Purdue, he learned of the attack on Pearl Harbor. 
Like many young men, Jim wanted to serve and defend his country. After 
enlisting in the United States Marine Corps, Jim received his 
commission as a Second Lieutenant. He was placed in command of the 1st 
Platoon, 24th Marines and saw action at Iwo Jima. Jim's platoon 
suffered many casualties in the battle and that had a lasting effect on 
him, as described in the book, The Last Lieutenant, written by his 
nephew Dr. John C. Shively.
  Jim married his beloved Patricia Lee Carroll on October 21, 1944. In 
1947, he graduated from Purdue University and went on to own Pendleton 
Lumber Company until 1960. He was employed at Pendleton Savings and 
Loan until 1978 and then worked as a real estate broker until 2000.
  Jim was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pendleton, 
and was very active in many civic groups and activities including the 
Boy Scouts of America, the Pendleton Junior Baseball League, the 
Madison County Community Foundation, and the South Madison Community 
Foundation. Jim took part in the 1964 School Reorganization, was a 
Salvation Army life-member, served on the Kettle Drive, the Pendleton 
Lions Club, and volunteered at St. John's Hospital. Jim founded the 
Pendleton Swim Club and was a U.S. Swimming official. Jim also was a 
Pendleton Chamber of Commerce member and served on the Pendleton 
Planning Commission.
  I had the privilege of getting to know Jim as part of my duties 
representing the Sixth Congressional District. Jim was a fixture at 
town hall meetings and I will fondly remember his participation in 
those events.
  Jim was also blessed with a wonderful, loving family. He is survived 
by his wife, Patricia of 67 years and their six children. Jim was 
blessed with sixteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. 
Through them, I am confident Jim's legacy will live on thanks to the 
lessons he instilled in those around him.
  Mr. Speaker, the Bible tells us, ``The Lord is close to the 
brokenhearted,'' and that is my prayer for the family of Jim Craig. Let 
us all keep Jim and his family in our thoughts and prayers as we mark 
the passing of this American hero.

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