[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 6, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF MR. JIM MORRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS J. ROONEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 6, 2016

  Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jim 
Morris, a beloved musician from Punta Gorda, who passed away on July 
13, 2016.
   Jim was a passionate singer and songwriter with a devotion to 
telling stories with his music. Born and raised in Georgia, he was a 
gifted athlete. Jim attended Augusta College, where he majored in 
English Literature, on a full baseball scholarship. After an injury 
forced Jim to give up his pursuit of a baseball career, he began what 
would be a fifteen year career with Hercules Chemical Company in 
Delaware.
   Following a trip to Florida, Jim decided to leave his job as a 
corporate executive with Hercules Chemical and attempt to begin a 
career as a singer and songwriter in Punta Gorda, Florida. Jim quickly 
found success writing songs about his own life, including one about his 
outlook on life ``Livin' Till the Day I Die.'' Friends have said that 
there is not a better phrase to describe the way in which Jim 
approached life.
   Jim cared deeply about Punta Gorda and continuously worked to 
improve the small community. He served as an ambassador for the 
Charlotte County Bureau of Tourism, traveling all over the country to 
tell others of the wonders of the community he fell in love with.
   Jim was also a dedicated philanthropist, using his music to benefit 
those in need. He donated thousands of dollars to his favorite charity, 
Shoes for Kids, and performed dozens of benefit concerts all over the 
country throughout his career. Following the destruction of Hurricane 
Charlie in 2004, Jim assisted in organizing a benefit concert, to help 
his friends and neighbors get back on their feet, that raised over 
$30,000.
   According to those who knew him best, Jim was the type of man that 
never met a stranger. When not writing music, he loved to fish in 
Charlotte Harbor and travel around the world with his wife, Sharon.
   Mr. Speaker, I speak for the entire Punta Gorda community in saying 
that our thoughts and prayers are with Jim's family as they mourn his 
passing. He will be greatly missed.

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