[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 154 (Thursday, October 31, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S7720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JAMES BUCK

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I am delighted to honor the 
contributions of a loyal and dedicated public servant, Mayor James 
Buck. In November, Mayor Buck will retire after 4\1/2\ decades of 
public service, 29 years of which he served as Mayor of Grandville, MI. 
Through his vision and tireless advocacy, Mayor Buck has helped to make 
sure this fine city continues to be a wonderful place to raise a family 
and for businesses to thrive.
  Jim Buck began his career in public service as an appointed member of 
the Grandville Park & Recreation Board in 1968. Three years later, in 
1971, he was elected to the Grandville City Council. After a successful 
stint on the city council, Jim was elected mayor of Grandville in 1984 
and has gone on to serve eight consecutive terms.
  Although the position of mayor of Grandville is part-time, Mayor Buck 
has always approached it as a full-time responsibility. He has devoted 
himself to his work as mayor and is visible at community events 
throughout the year. He is committed to economic and residential 
development, and has made decisions that have brought businesses and 
residents to Grandville. He has been a pillar of integrity and a 
consensus builder. Under Mayor Buck's stewardship, the City of 
Grandville has maintained sound financial footing despite immense 
economic challenges.
  Mayor Buck is a firm believer that a strong sense of community is 
vital and improves the quality of life of its residents. Throughout his 
45 years on the Grandville Park & Recreation Board, which he has 
chaired for decades, the city has created new trails and parks and 
revitalized existing ones. During his tenure, the Park & Recreation 
Board has turned Grandville's 4th of July Celebration into a major 
regional event and a beloved community tradition.
  An avid tennis player, Jim Buck has enjoyed many successful years of 
competition, including at the Senior Olympics in recent years. He has 
been assistant coach to the Grandville High School tennis team for the 
last 17 years. This year, the team won the OK Red Conference and 
Regional Championships. It is no coincidence that Grandville has some 
of the best tennis courts of any city its size in Michigan.
  A dedicated and visionary leader, Mayor Buck has not only been 
Grandville's strongest advocate but also an active civic leader on 
regional and State levels. He is an honorary life member of the 
Michigan Municipal League (MML), chair of the MML Foundation Board, 
member of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance and the long-time 
chairman of the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council.
  But more than the list of boards and commissions to his credit, Jim 
Buck is a man of his community. He works long hours attending events, 
meeting with residents, visiting schools, and listening to and 
appreciating the people of Grandville. He has created a standard of 
community engagement that will be an inspiration to his successors. 
Indeed, Mayor Buck has made a tremendous contribution to the lives of 
residents of the City of Grandville now and for generations to come.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the dedicated public 
service of one of the finest locally elected officials in Michigan, Jim 
Buck. He has dedicated himself to the betterment of his community. On 
behalf of the people of Michigan, I wish Jim and his wonderful wife, 
Kathryn (Kitty) Buck the very best for a well-deserved 
retirement.

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