[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 69 (Tuesday, May 15, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING JAMES V. LOUGHRAN UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2012

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor James V. Loughran, a 
distinguished resident of the town of Amherst, Erie County, New York, 
upon the occasion of his retirement.
  Coming from a large family with a longtime dedication to public 
service, Jim Loughran served with honor and distinction as a Rifleman 
with the United States Marine Corps. After multiple combat tours in 
Vietnam between 1967 and 1969, Jim made the decision to dedicate his 
professional career to his country with a career in the military.
  Jim spent his military career principally in areas of administrative 
management and recruitment. Time and again Jim was called upon to 
manage and administer the safe deployment of Marines, often doing so 
for the largest active and reserve units within the Corps. On multiple 
occasions, Jim received commendations from his commanders who knew all 
too well the type of dedication and commitment that Jim showed to his 
country and to his duties.
  Jim maintains a close relationship with former Joint Chiefs of Staff 
Chairman Peter Pace, under whom Jim served when both were stationed in 
Buffalo. On three different occasions, Jim was fortunate to serve under 
Gen. Pace's command, and their relationship speaks volumes about the 
type of soldier Jim was, and the impact that Jim's leadership had on 
his commanding officers.
  Jim's commitment to his brothers and sisters in the military did not 
end when soldiers removed their uniforms. Jim took a serious interest 
in what soldiers and military personnel would have to face after their 
careers ended, and spent several years in hands-on counseling of 
veterans transitioning from military to civilian life.
  In the mid-1990s, Jim faced that same transition himself. Our region 
was fortunate to attract Jim to come back home. And his community was 
all the better for that decision.
  After several years of service to one of our region's most highly 
regarded members of the Erie County Legislature, Jim put his management 
skills to work as the Administrator for the Town of Amherst Justice 
Court. The largest such court in New York State, Jim served several 
town justices in Amherst by administering the operations of the court 
with flawless quality and impeccable honesty and integrity. Amherst 
Town Justice Mark Farrell has said that, ``Jim transformed Amherst Town 
Court into the most efficient justice court in New York State, leading 
in the management of the largest caseload and managing the largest such 
staff in the state. No one gets a job done better than Jimmy 
Loughran.''
  Jim was an innovator. Working closely with Judge Farrell, Jim was on 
the ground floor in the formation of specialized courts, including 
service to veterans and to those in need of treatment for problem 
gambling. Jim also worked with town justices to form the Amherst Drug 
Court and Therapeutic Foundation, where today he serves as President. 
Jim is involved with dozens of professional and civic associations and 
has a particular interest with fundraising efforts for the many 
charities, including the Leukemia Society, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 
the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
  Jim was faced with a health challenge not long ago, and his many 
friends and family members are delighted to see that he is working 
through it. On Thursday, May 17, what is sure to be a capacity crowd 
will fill the Sonoma Grille in the heart of Jim's beloved hometown of 
Amherst to fete Jim upon the occasion of his retirement.
  A long time ago, during his Marine service, Jim earned the nickname 
``Jimmy Good Guy,'' and that is as appropriate an appellation as has 
ever been assigned to a person. Jim earned that nickname simply because 
of his willingness to help someone--anyone--who was in need. No one who 
has had the good fortune to encounter Jim Loughran has left that 
engagement without knowing that Jim would do anything he could to help 
them.
  That is why, Mr. Speaker, I am asking that all members of the House 
join with me, and with Jim's own friends and family, to wish Jim 
Loughran--the one and only ``Jimmy Good Guy''--the very best of good 
luck and good health in the months and years to come.

                          ____________________