[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 11, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF JAMES ``JIM'' McGRATH

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 11, 2020

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in remembering the life of James ``Jim'' 
McGrath, a longtime District of Columbia resident and our city's 
leading activist for tenants' rights, on the occasion of his death on 
March 3, 2020.
  Jim McGrath, born in Boston, Massachusetts on September 1, 1937, came 
to the District after serving in the U.S. Army. He studied literature 
at American University and received a master's degree in literature at 
Georgetown University. Jim worked full time as he pursued his 
education. He worked and volunteered for the American Cancer Society, 
he was a research assistant for a D.C. law firm and a paralegal for a 
telecommunications firm in D.C.
  These experiences led him to the House of Representatives, where he 
worked for former Speaker of the House John W. McCormack of 
Massachusetts. Jim worked as a clerk for the House Committee on the 
Judiciary and later became a leading expert on federal pay issues as an 
employee of the Library of Congress.
  As a D.C. resident who lived in Dupont Circle for 45 years, Jim 
became well acquainted with the challenges and abuse D.C. tenants face. 
He established the D.C. Tenants Advocacy Coalition (TENAC) in 1992 and 
became the lead advocate for tenants for rent control in the District. 
His advocacy for tenants' rights brought him before the D.C. Council, 
and his expertise led to legislation such as the creation of the Office 
of the Tenant Advocate (OTA), the confirmation of the Chief Tenant 
Advocate and the Tenants' Right To Organize Act. Jim's leadership will 
be especially missed today, when the high cost of housing is perhaps 
the most important issue facing our city.
  With the passing of Jim McGrath this month, the District has lost a 
friend--and so have I. Jim McGrath devoted his life to the tenants of 
this city and became the face and soul of tenants' rights. Jim was the 
acknowledged leader of citizen efforts to protect tenants in this 
highcost city.
  Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
honoring James ``Jim'' McGrath, my friend and a leader in our city, for 
his life of service. I extend my deepest condolences to Jim's family.

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