[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 85 (Friday, June 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF JIM FOSTER FROM THE CITY CLUB OF CLEVELAND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2013

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I have the distinct privilege of recognizing 
Jim Foster, who recently retired as Executive Director of the City Club 
of Cleveland. For twenty years, Mr. Foster provided strong and 
innovative leadership, building on the worldwide reputation of the City 
Club of Cleveland as ``the citadel of free speech.''
  Jim Foster originally joined the City Club of Cleveland in 1993 as 
managing director and become executive director a year later. His 
involvement, however, was a continuation of a life and career spent in 
the Greater Cleveland community. Jim grew up in Shaker Heights, was an 
active member of the Air Force Reserve, and previously worked in city 
and county government.
  As executive director, Jim continued the tradition of excellence of 
the City Club of Cleveland--the longest running continuous independent 
free speech forum in the country--in addressing the most salient issues 
while enacting necessary organizational changes to keep up, and ahead 
of, the time.
  Displaying savvy leadership, Jim enhanced the club's media footprint 
on television and radio, secured the www.cityclub.org web address and 
built a website. As social media expanded, Jim kept the organization in 
front, providing all their forums via live stream, podcast, and 
archived on the Club's YouTube channel.
  Throughout his tenure, Jim displayed a fervent commitment to free 
speech and the collegial exchange of ideas by pursuing speakers of 
national prominence and profound influence on a variety of topics, 
including politics, business, education, and health care. Speakers from 
all vantage points were hosted and subjected to the challenging but 
fair questions for which the City Club Forums are well-known. Just 
recently I worked with Jim to help bring Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi 
to the City Club for a luncheon address that was extremely well 
received.
  I can confidently say that Jim fulfilled the Club's mission of being 
an exemplar of a democratic community.
  As he enters retirement, I thank Jim for his immense dedication and 
excellence in serving the community. His character and career 
accomplishments epitomize what democracy and citizenship are about.
  I join the City Club of Cleveland, its board of directors, the 
greater community, and friends and family in wishing Jim health and 
happiness in the years ahead. It is my privilege to honor Jim Foster.

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