[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 10 (Friday, January 25, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E62]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF FORMER PEORIA MAYOR JIM MALOOF

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. AARON SCHOCK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 25, 2013

  Mr. SCHOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of former mayor 
of Peoria, Illinois, Jim Maloof, who passed away at the age of 93 on 
January 19, 2013. There is no doubt that Peoria will sorely miss its 
greatest champion, but his legacy lives on in the city he rebuilt and 
in the hearts of all who were touched by his generosity. It is 
difficult to capture a life that was as impactful as Jim Maloof's, but 
many noteworthy tributes have been written. I want to share just some 
of the high points in the life of this extraordinary man.
  Born in the back of his parents' Peoria grocery store in 1919, Jim 
would live his life as a true son of the city. Even as a child, his 
warm spirit and merry character drew people to him, and his legendary 
penchant for singing began in childhood. As he grew up, Jim became a 
successful businessman in Peoria, operating a dry cleaner and then a 
real estate firm that continues to thrive today.
  One of Jim's most enduring and powerful legacies is his contributions 
to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. In 1971, he met Danny Thomas, the 
founder of St. Jude, and agreed to help raise funds for an expansion of 
the hospital. Jim proved to be a prolific fundraiser, and one of my 
favorite stories about him from this time was his use of song and dance 
routines in his pitches. Just one year later, in 1972, he became the 
national Executive Vice-President of St. Jude's and opened the first 
affiliated clinic in the country right in Peoria, Illinois.
  The impact of Jim's work with St. Jude is difficult to overstate. St. 
Jude has given thousands of children a chance at long and healthy lives 
after receiving a diagnosis that was once considered a death sentence. 
The research done by St. Jude has advanced treatments and cures for 
dozens of diseases. But beyond the material, as in all things, Jim's 
most important contribution to the children and families of St. Jude 
was hope. Jim's passion for healing manifested itself in a different 
way in 1984 when he decided to run for mayor of Peoria. At that time, 
Peoria was experiencing a period of economic downturn, with thousands 
of layoffs, a diminishing population, and a dying downtown area. 
``Would the last one to leave Peoria turn out the lights?'' was a 
common saying in the area at the time.
  As with all great figures in history, from Abraham Lincoln to Martin 
Luther King, Jim Maloof was uniquely suited to his time. When most 
people looked around Peoria in 1985, they saw a dying city and little 
reason for hope. Jim Maloof looked around the same city--his city--and 
saw something worth saving. His vision looked past the boarded up 
downtown and the vacant houses to the people who, with just a little 
inspiration, could turn it all around.
  And that is exactly what happened. After being elected, Mayor Maloof 
threw open the doors of government to the citizens and businesses of 
Peoria and gave everyone a role in revitalizing their hometown. 
Committees of volunteers developed and implemented projects to revamp 
the downtown area, including the addition of the Peoria Civic Center, 
draw new businesses to Peoria, and grow existing ones. Jim's faith in 
the city was boundless and infectious. Another of my favorite stories 
about Jim is the mugs he had made listing the great cities of the 
world: New York, Paris, London, and Peoria, and he affectionately 
referred to Peoria as the ``Little Apple''. In 1989, only four years 
after Mayor Maloof took office, Peoria was named an All-American City.
  But the real gift that Jim gave to Peoria was pride. He was an 
unabashed champion for the city, using his gift for song and his 
limitless energy to revive the spirits of a dejected town. After 
serving three terms as mayor, Jim reentered the private sector, but his 
presence as a Peoria landmark remained undiminished as he hosted 
telethons for St. Jude, Christmas carol singing every year in the 
downtown he rebuilt, and participated in community events.
  Jim Maloof played in Peoria. He inspired us and challenged us to do 
more and reach higher, and to do everything with a cheerful heart and a 
song. His music will live on in the lives of the children saved by his 
work with St. Jude and in the city he loved.

                          ____________________