[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 170 (Monday, October 28, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1353-E1354]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LEGACY OF JAMES DOUGLAS COLQUITT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. LUIS CORREA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 28, 2019

  Mr. CORREA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of James 
Douglas Colquitt, a veteran, a businessman, a dedicated husband, 
father, grandfather, and a champion of the marginalized and 
underserved.
  Born July 21, 1930, to Willie Colquitt and Mary Naomi Brown, James 
grew up with his brother, Thomas Meeks, in Valley Mills, Texas.
  After graduating from high school, he joined the United States Army. 
His military service allowed him to travel throughout the United States 
and abroad.
  A veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars, James served his country 
for 20 years with honor and distinction, earning personal decorations 
and many unit certifications and awards. In 1967, he retired at Fort 
MacArthur Army Base in San Pedro, California.
  He began a second career in aerospace with Hughes Aircraft Division 
in Fullerton, California. He realized a long-held desire to become a 
business owner when he opened an automobile tire center in Fullerton. 
He also owned liquor stores in Santa Ana and Los Angeles, which he 
operated for more than 20 years.

[[Page E1354]]

  James became an activist in local civic organizations. He served as 
President of the Orange County Branch of the National Association for 
the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for over 15 years.
  In addition, he spent more than two decades on the Community Action 
Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC) Board of Directors as a 
representative of the NAACP.
  He also carried out duties of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 
the African American Beverage and Grocers Association Scholarship Fund 
and was a long-term member of the National United Merchants and 
Beverage Association.
  James was married to Betty J. Colquitt for over 63 years and spent 50 
of those years together in Placentia. James and Betty raised four 
children, who blessed them with six grandchildren and two great-
grandchildren.
  Please join me in honoring the legacy of James Douglas Colquitt, a 
patriot who dedicated his life to his family, country, and community.

                          ____________________