[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                JIM COLE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM GRAVES

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2012

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and 
pleasure that I rise today to recognize the outstanding service of Jim 
Cole on the occasion of his retirement after 23 years of service to the 
State of Missouri and our veterans.
  Jim began his career as a Local Veterans Employment Representative 
for the Missouri Career Center in 1989, and in the 23 years that have 
passed since then, he has worked tirelessly to help our veterans find 
employment. Jim helps coordinate the largest career fair in the 
northwest region of Missouri, which is held in St. Joseph every year. 
In 2006, Jim was able to visit Washington, D.C. to receive the State 
Veteran Services Award from the Department of Labor for his hard work.
  Jim is also a veteran himself. Before he began his work for the 
Missouri Career Center, he served in the United States Navy two 
different times, first serving from 1972 1976, then again from 1977 
1981. Jim worked as an Aviation Structural Mechanic repairing A-7 
aircraft carrier planes. His life's dedication and hard work should 
serve as an example of how we can better serve each other and our great 
nation.
  Now that Jim will be retired, he will have more time for his other 
passions in life, namely, motorcycles. The biker dude will finally be 
able to ride into the sunset on his new Harley Softail, and take long 
camping trips with his wife, Elizabeth. As I understand it, Jim was hit 
by an older driver while driving a motorcycle as a teenager, and 
thought it would be funny to pretend to be in serious pain to scare the 
old man. Now that he will be the retired driver, I send him best wishes 
on avoiding a replay of that day.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in commending Jim 
Cole for his dedicated service to Missouri's veterans. I know Jim's 
colleagues, family and friends join with me in thanking him for his 
commitment to others and wishing him happiness and good health in his 
retirement.

                          ____________________