[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 198 (Monday, December 17, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S7653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JAMES LEWIS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to 
congratulate my friend, Leslie County clerk James Lewis, on his 
upcoming retirement from public service. For more than three decades, 
James has worked for his neighbors in local government, earning respect 
throughout the county and the Commonwealth. As he prepares to leave the 
Leslie County Clerk's Office, I want to thank him for his tireless work 
and dedication to our State.
  First elected in 1985, James has been a fixture of his community for 
more than a generation. Of the many responsibilities of a county clerk, 
perhaps the most important is the operation and safeguarding of 
Americans' access to the ballot box. Throughout his service as county 
clerk, James has overseen nearly 60 elections, including every office 
from jailer to the President of the United States. Although the 
technologies involved may have changed, his commitment to his office 
has never wavered. I have had the pleasure to work with James on a 
number of projects throughout the years. His passion for the people of 
Leslie County is apparent in everything he does, and they have been 
served well by his time in office.
  James became a respected leader among all 120 county clerks 
throughout the Commonwealth. From 1994 to this year, he served as the 
chairman of the Kentucky County Clerk's Association Election Committee, 
administrating election training for all other clerks for more than 20 
years. Between 1999-2000, James served as the association's president. 
One of the association's initiatives, which James helped found, is the 
Help A Veteran Everyday, H.A.V.E., Program. James spearheaded one of 
their projects, which involves repurposing license plates into bird 
houses. The finished products can then be purchased at the clerk's 
offices. Through these efforts, James is helping support Kentucky's men 
and women who served our Nation in uniform.
  Whatever retirement may hold in store for James, I wish him all the 
best. Perhaps he will spend more time on his hobbies, like gardening or 
fishing. I have no doubt that he will be enjoying more time with his 
wife, Betty, daughters, Danika and Wendy, and grandchildren, Kelsey and 
R.J. As he begins his well-deserved retirement, I would like to 
congratulate James on a distinguished career. I urge my Senate 
colleagues to join me in thanking James for his remarkable public 
service to Leslie County and to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

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