[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 128 (Monday, July 29, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5138-S5139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO JIM TUFTS

 Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, today I would like to congratulate 
Mr. Jim Tufts of Exeter, NH, on his retirement, after his long, 
productive, and impactful career of making a difference for young 
people and their families throughout our region and country.
  After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, Jim spent 2 
years as an assistant coach at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, NH. 
In 1977, he joined Exeter High School as the physical education teacher 
and varsity head coach of both the boys soccer and hockey teams.
  Jim has coached over 1,650 games, and his teams have accumulated 
almost 1,000 career wins and won a combined eight New Hampshire 
Interscholastic Athletic Association, NHIAA championships. He has also 
served as chairman of the Physical Education Department at Philips 
Exeter Academy for the summer school program. In 1988 he became the 
coach and local program coordinator of the Exeter Area Athletes and 
runs the Learn to Play Hockey Program to introduce hundreds of young 
people to ice hockey.

[[Page S5139]]

  For 50 years, Jim has volunteered with the New Hampshire Special 
Olympics, which was first organized in the State in 1970 by his mother, 
Jean Tufts. He has served as the director of the Exeter Special 
Olympics Program for 32 years, and in 2003 he was named Special 
Olympics Coach of the Year by the National High School Athletic Coaches 
Association. Jim has organized students from Exeter High School and 
surrounding high schools to get involved as peer coaches for the 
athletes, making the Exeter Special Olympics an incredible community 
event.
  It is Jim's devotion to Special Olympics athletes--and the example he 
has set for the athletes he coaches in all of his different roles--that 
has made a unique and life changing difference for thousands of young 
people and their families.
  Jim, accompanied and guided by his wife, Leslie, and sons, Matt and 
Kyle, has been a tremendous asset to Exeter High School and to the 
entire Seacoast region. He has given back to his community in countless 
ways with humility and an exceptionally positive attitude. Jim has 
taught all of us that talent and compassion, strength and kindness, go 
hand in hand. His town, State, and country are better because of his 
example.
  Mr. President, I hope you will join me in honoring a dedicated 
Granite Stater, Jim Tufts.

                          ____________________