[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 96 (Monday, June 10, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3281-S3282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO JIM KURTH

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Jim Kurth 
for his 41 years of public service and congratulate him on his recent 
retirement.

[[Page S3282]]

  On May 7, 1978, Mr. James Kurth was hired by the U.S. Forest Service 
as a biological technician having recently graduated with a degree in 
wildlife management from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. On 
Friday, May 31, Jim retired from public service, after a 41-year 
career, working mainly with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He 
ended his career after serving more than 4 years as the agency's deputy 
director for operations.
  Jim's story is an inspiring example of dedication to the vital 
mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He grew up in Columbus, 
OH. He married his high school sweetheart. He picked a career in public 
service, quickly finding his way to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
and moving his family across the country as he accepted positions at 
Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, Arthur R. Marshall 
Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, Bogue Chitto National 
Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana, Seney National Wildlife Refuge in 
Michigan, and Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge in Rhode Island. From 
there, he jumped to Alaska where he became manager of the Arctic 
National Wildlife Refuge, the Nation's largest protected land area at 
nearly 20 million acres.
  He left Alaska in 1999 and journeyed to the Nation's Capital, to take 
the position of deputy chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System, 
the world's largest system of protected lands and waters, including 
Maryland's Blackwater, Eastern Neck, and Patuxent National Wildlife 
Refuges. He served as deputy chief for 11 years and then chief for 
nearly 4 years before accepting the job as the Service's deputy 
director in 2015.
  Former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe said, ``Jim 
served as my Deputy twice. Once when I was Refuge Chief, and again when 
I was Director. He was fond of saying, `It's better to have a Deputy 
than be a Deputy' but Jim was much more. He was a friend and mentor. 
The kind of person who would tell you what you needed to hear, not what 
you wanted to hear. His strength is his character and deep and 
authentic concern for the people who do the organization's work.'' A 
culture of character and integrity in an organization like the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service grows through the examples of principled 
conduct from those in positions of authority.
  For 41 years, Jim Kurth served the American people. His legacy is in 
the legions of people whom he has mentored and in the millions of acres 
of habitat he has helped conserve for wildlife and for people.
  On May 31, 2019, Jim Kurth retired from public service. We are better 
as a nation for his service, and we take a moment to celebrate his 
career and his example of public service.

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