[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 30 (Thursday, February 25, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF COACH JAMES ``JIM'' BELDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2016

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a beloved 
member of the Indiana community, Jim Belden. Jim was a councilman in 
Hamilton County and an Indiana Football Hall of Fame coach. Sadly, Jim 
died at the age of 77 on February 14, 2016 after a battle with cancer. 
He will be dearly missed by the Hoosier community, but we will remember 
him forever through the spectacular legacy he left behind.
  Although he was born in Michigan, Jim spent most of his life in 
Indiana. He attended and played football at Shortridge High School in 
Indianapolis, where he was honored as an All-City and All-State 
Fullback. He graduated from Shortridge in 1957 and served in the United 
States Navy from 1958-1962. After serving our country in the Navy, he 
went on to play football for Butler University and was honored as an 
All-Conference Fullback. He graduated from Butler in 1963 and earned 
his master's degree in 1971 from Ball State University.
  Beginning with his first call to public service in the United States 
Navy, he served as a stellar example of selfless public service. He 
left his mark as a teacher, a family man, and a member of the Hamilton 
County Council, but what Jim is most known for is coaching football. 
Jim's career as a high school teacher and football coach spanned over 
30 years at three Hamilton County Schools--Westfield High School from 
1964 to 1967, Noblesville High School from 1967 to 1980, and Carmel 
High School from 1980 to 1996. Jim is the 12th winningest coach in 
Indiana state history, with an impressive lifetime record of 283 wins, 
80 losses, and 2 ties. His extraordinary record included 25 Conference 
titles, 16 Sectional, 10 Regional, five Semi-State, one State-Runner 
up, and most notably, he led Carmel High School to 4 State Championship 
titles in 1980, 1981, 1986, and 1991.
  He retired from coaching football in 1996 and on April 24 of that 
year was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame. That honor 
followed many years of accolades. Beyond his long list of titles and 
State championships, he received ``Coach of the Year'' awards on many 
occasions, most notably from the Indiana Football Coaches Association, 
the Butler Alumni Association, and the Indiana Sportscasters and 
Sportswriters Association. He was also awarded a Key to the City of 
Carmel, Noblesville recognized him with ``Jim Belden Day,'' and he 
received the prestigious Governor's Sagamore of the Wabash award, to 
name a few. He also ran a highly successful football camp for aspiring 
high school players for many years. As the daughter of a 30-year high 
school coach, I know the unquestionable and lasting impact Jim had on 
the many young men he coached, the students he taught, assistant 
coaches and faculty he worked with, and the schools and communities he 
served.
  In 1993, Jim began serving on the Hamilton County Council and won 
every election since. He was influential as a councilman and 
contributed significantly to the community. He helped ensure the 
expansion of Ivy Tech Community College in Noblesville with a vote to 
provide funding for the project and was a big proponent of planned 
upgrades to State Road 37.
  Jim loved coaching football and serving as an elected official in 
Hamilton County, but his pride and joy was his family. Jim is survived 
by his wife, Bev, son, Bo, daughter, Bamby, and 5 grandchildren. He is 
also survived by his brother, Randy, sister, Candy, and several nieces, 
nephews, and friends. Jim is a tremendous example of an effective and 
dedicated public servant. After decades of serving as a mentor and 
leader in the community, his impact and presence will not soon be 
forgotten. Please join me in thanking Jim's family and friends for 
sharing this truly remarkable man with the Hoosier community.

                          ____________________