[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 177 (Tuesday, December 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1727-E1728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TO HONOR THE SERVICE OF CONCORD CITY COUNCILMAN JAMES E. ``JIM'' 
                                RAMSEUR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD HUDSON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 8, 2015

  Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor James E. ``Jim'' 
Ramseur of Concord, North Carolina, for his more than twenty years of 
service to our community on the Concord City Council.
  Jim was first elected to the Concord City Council in 1995 and has 
served on the Council five consecutive terms. During this time, he 
served as Mayor Pro-Tem from 1997-99, 2007 and 2013. Jim is a native of 
Concord, graduating from Concord High School and attending the 
University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
  Jim honorably served our nation for four years in the United States 
Air Force before going on to a successful business career, where he 
retired as CEO of Turner-Baxter, Incorporated. In a sign of things to 
come in his future community leadership, Jim joined the Concord Jaycees 
in 1973 and within the next year was appointed to the Concord Planning 
and Zoning Board. He eventually became President of the Concord Jaycees 
and received the Distinguished Service Award from the organization in 
1977. Continuing to be an active member of our community, Jim has 
served on the Board of Directors of Concord Downtown Development 
Corporation, and Historic Cabarrus Association, Inc.

[[Page E1728]]

  As anyone who knows Jim is well aware, he is seen by most folks in 
Concord as one of the city's foremost historians. He was the Vice 
Chairman of the City's very successful 1996 Bicentennial Committee and 
has amassed an impressive collection of historic photographs of Concord 
that he regularly contributes to the Concord Independent Tribune. 
Additionally, Jim played a large role in the final design of the new 
Concord City Hall, which retains many qualities from the design of the 
1902 city hall, including the unique tower with the words ``City Hall'' 
on the glass.
  Jim's steady leadership has seen Concord maintain a low tax rate 
while its population has more than doubled from the 42,000 people who 
lived in the city when he was first elected in 1995. During a time that 
saw our area lose thousands of textile and manufacturing jobs while 
still increasing in population, Jim and the rest of the City Council 
were instrumental in continuing infrastructure development, growing 
city schools and recruiting new industry to Concord. Because of his 
hard work and dedication, Concord's future looks brighter than ever.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me today in thanking James E. ``Jim'' 
Ramseur for his esteemed service on the Concord City Council and 
wishing him well as he opens the next chapter in his storied life.

                          ____________________