[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 31, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO JAMES WATTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 31, 2013

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise, along with my colleague 
Representative Steven Palazzo, to honor James Watts for his many years 
of service to the community. Born in 1919 in McComb, Mississippi, Mr. 
Watts has dedicated his career to public service. His children and 
stepchildren have followed in their parent's footsteps and have been 
leaders in their own right throughout the United States.
   During World War II, Mr. Watts defended his country by tracking 
German submarines as a member of the United States Coast Guard. Later, 
in civilian life, he would go on to hold executive board positions in 
both the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of America 
organizations.
   Mr. Watts' passion for volunteerism speaks volumes about his 
character. While he lived in Grand Junction, Colorado, he volunteered 
as an EMT and then a paramedic for what is now St. Mary's Hospital and 
Regional Medical Center in Grand Junction, Colorado. Upon relocation to 
Gulfport, Mississippi, Mr. Watts taught CPR and First Aid for the 
American Red Cross and various organizations around the country, which 
is a testament to his devotion to the well-being of the communities he 
has visited.
   Perhaps one of his biggest accomplishments was in 1956 while he 
worked for the Atomic Energy Commission. As a mine safety engineer in 
New Mexico, Mr. Watts noticed a uranium boom town of more than 10,000 
residents who were living without access to a local hospital for 
emergency services. With ambition and selflessness, he took it upon 
himself to spearhead organization efforts for the creation of Cibola 
General Hospital, which has been committed to serving the medical needs 
of the community since 1959. Ever since, patients continue to be saved, 
the critically ill continue to be treated, and 24-hour emergency care 
is still available to the community.
   Now at 94 years old, Mr. Watts resides with his wife, Barbara, in 
Gulfport, Mississippi. Although he is retired, the organizations and 
community projects developed under his leadership are still in 
operation today. I believe Mr. Watts' life is a great example of 
generosity and devotion to the greater good of society. We can all 
learn from Mr. Watt's inspiring story of public service. I join my 
colleagues in recognizing and thanking Mr. Watts for his life of 
service. We wish him, his wife Barbara, and their children Susan, Rick, 
Jane, Danette, and Paul all the best in their future endeavors and 
thank them for continuing their father's legacy of noble service to the 
community.

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