[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 169 (Thursday, October 19, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING JAMES M. SCOTT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 2017

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a man who 
dedicated his life to the community he served. Delegate James M. 
``Jim'' Scott was a tireless advocate for all and his life and deeds 
have left an indelible mark on the people of Fairfax County and the 
Commonwealth of Virginia. Sadly, Jim passed away on April 13, 2017. 
However, his legacy lives on through the numerous community initiatives 
he started and programs he helped create as well as in the hearts and 
minds of so many whose lives he touched.
  Born in Galax, Va. in 1938, Jim came to Fairfax County as a teacher 
at Thomas A. Edison High School. Shortly afterwards, he began to work 
with local non-profits providing assistance with anti-poverty and fair 
housing initiatives. Jim's quest to help others eventually led him to 
the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, where he was elected 
Providence District Representative in 1971. He continued his work on 
the issues he had dealt with in the non-profit community, introducing 
resolutions on affordable housing and human and civil rights. A 
constant champion for quality-of-life issues in the County, Jim used 
his voice to advocate for the most vulnerable among us and ensured that 
their needs were not forgotten.
  After serving 14 years on the Board of Supervisors, Jim was elected 
to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1991. His one-vote victory after 
a six-week recount earned him the nickname ``Landslide Jim'', but his 
effect on the House of Delegates was truly earth-shaking. In 1995, he 
was the lead sponsor of the bill that would become the ``Motor Voter'' 
law in Virginia. This bill dramatically expanded access to voter 
registration in Virginia, allowing individuals to register to vote at 
locations such as Department of Motor Vehicles, employment and other 
state offices, as well as by mail. The primary beneficiaries of this 
legislation were the traditionally under-served and under-represented 
whose causes Jim had made his life's work. Once again, he had improved 
the lives of countless individuals for the better. That this was done 
over the objections of Virginia's sitting Governor at the time gives 
credence to the tenacity with which Jim pursued his life's mission.
  While some would have expected a life mission such as Jim's to be 
rooted in a political orthodoxy, they would have been surprised to 
learn the extent of his pragmatic side. He was a constant disciple of 
the saying ``Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good,'' a piece 
of wisdom that he shared with his colleagues on both the Board of 
Supervisors and in the House of Delegates on numerous occasions.
  Mr. Speaker, Virginia has lost a quiet, gentle but forceful advocate 
for all who feel powerless. Jim Scott was a voice for civil rights, 
women's rights, and LGBT rights because he believed the Declaration of 
Independence and the Constitution of the United States meant what they 
said. Unusual for a politician, Jim was self-effacing. A natural 
mentor, he promoted talent and sought to bestow credit on others. He 
advanced the careers of myriad public officials. His generosity of 
spirit benefited causes throughout our Virginia Commonwealth. Most of 
that generosity was unheralded. Jim was a loving and devoted husband to 
his beloved wife Nancy and a proud dad to two extraordinary and 
accomplished daughters, Casey and Mary. He was a devout Methodist, and 
passionate sports fan for North Carolina and the Washington Nationals. 
It will be difficult to re-imagine the NOVA community without his 
towering presence and wise guidance. His absence will be a void for 
those of us privileged to know him. His was a life well-lived, and he 
will be missed.