[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 127 (Friday, July 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING TUKWILA CITY COUNCILMEMBER JOE DUFFIE ON HIS RETIREMENT

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                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 27, 2018

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 
achievements of Tukwila City Councilmember Joe Duffie, and congratulate 
him on his retirement from the Council after 35 years of unwavering 
service to his community.
  Before serving on the Tukwila City Council, Duffie had already 
garnered an impressive list of accomplishments. In 1962, he was drafted 
into the U.S. Army and completed advanced infantry training as the most 
distinguished trainee of his Company. He served in Korea and earned the 
rank of Squad Leader. Shortly thereafter, Duffie went on to attend 
Command General Staff College where he achieved the rank of Staff 
Sergeant, went through Senior Non-Commissioned Officer training, and 
completed Command Sergeant Major Academy. After leaving Active military 
service Mr. Duffie maintained his positions as head custodian at 
Tukwila elementary school for two decades, served in the National Guard 
for thirty-one years, worked as a welder in a Seattle shipyard, and 
currently owns Duffie's--a home maintenance company with the slogan, 
``No Job is Too Small.''
  That slogan perfectly captures Joe Duffie. Since his election to the 
Tukwila City Council in 1981 by a four-to-one margin, he has been 
regarded as a man of the people. He is a tireless worker who selflessly 
gives out his personal phone number to any citizen who wants to reach 
him. He has constantly prioritized openness and transparency, and 
started a monthly tradition where Tukwila citizens have the opportunity 
to chat with their City Council representatives over coffee. His unique 
compassionate and personal approach to government will be missed.
  One of Mr. Duffie's greatest passions is education. His efforts have 
helped make Tukwila public schools some of the most diverse and 
inclusive in the country. His unswerving advocacy for the youth of 
Tukwila has resulted in many of the city's students knowing him by 
name. On top of his work as a City Councilmember, he has lead a weekly 
running program for Tukwila's elementary school students.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to thank Joe Duffie for his decades of 
service on the Tukwila City Council. I congratulate him on a well-
earned retirement, although I know that Mr. Duffie will never stop 
working to make the city of Tukwila a better place.

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