[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 173 (Tuesday, December 1, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1690]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING MAYOR JIM HAGGERTON OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 1, 2015

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Jim Haggerton, 
Mayor of Tukwila, Washington, on his retirement.
  There have been few greater champions for the City of Tukwila than 
Jim Haggerton. For over four decades, Jim has dedicated himself to 
bettering his community in many ways. After concluding his service in 
the U.S. Marine Corps, Jim and his wife, Carol, purchased their home in 
the McMicken Heights neighborhood in 1972. There, they raised their two 
children, Terri and Care.
  Despite the rigors of a hectic schedule with a young family and a 
burgeoning career, Jim found time to devote to his city. He served nine 
years on Tukwila's Planning Commission, helping to guide the city 
through a period of tremendous growth. He built on this service when he 
was elected to serve as a Councilmember; a position that he held for 
thirteen years. Then, in 2007, he was elected as Tukwila's Mayor.
  As Mayor, Jim led the successful effort to develop and implement the 
city's first Strategic Plan, which was notable for its creation of the 
award-winning Community Connectors program. He also led the 
negotiations for dozens of major development and public infrastructure 
projects that have benefited the entire region. These include Jim's 
efforts to bring transit options to Tukwila, including light and heavy 
rail. Expanded transit access has accompanied and supported the 
development of commercial projects that attract commerce from 
surrounding communities.
  In addition to his work at City Hall, Jim has been a tireless 
advocate for Tukwila in a long list of regional organizations. He has 
served on the Board of Directors for the Association of Washington 
Cities, Sound Cities Association, and the Cascade Water Alliance. He 
also served as the President of the Southcenter Rotary Club and is a 
member of the American Legion Post 235 in Tukwila.
  As Jim passes the baton following his decades of service, he leaves 
the city on strong footing. Tukwila today has a AA rating from Standard 
and Poors, despite the challenges posed by the recession and ongoing 
recovery. Engagement with the community has never been stronger, 
either. This past year, Tukwila was recognized for its efforts to 
engage the city's diverse communities in the update of Tukwila's 
Comprehensive Plan.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize Mr. Jim 
Haggerton for his years of service and his tremendous impact on the 
City of Tukwila and King County.

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