[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 116 (Wednesday, June 24, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING JIM YOUNG

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 24, 2020

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I submit these remarks in honor of James 
Marion Young of Salem, Virginia, who passed away on June 12, 2020 at 
the age of 89. Jim devoted his time and attention to serving the people 
of his hometown through an impressive array of community and 
philanthropic organizations.
  Jim was born on November 15, 1930. He was educated at Andrew Lewis 
High School in Salem, where he lettered in football and baseball, and 
at the University of Virginia, where he earned undergraduate and law 
degrees. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and remained 
in the Army Reserves for 22 years, eventually attaining the rank of 
lieutenant colonel.
  Jim's profession was the law. He practiced for years in Roanoke at 
Dodson Pence Viar Young & Woodrum as a partner and then in Salem on his 
own. But he was also occupied with making Salem a better place and 
improving the lives of its citizens. Among the organizations he led 
were the Salem Jaycees, Salem Kiwanis, Salem-Roanoke County Bar 
Association, Salem High School PTA, Roanoke County Council of PTAs, 
Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce, and Roanoke Valley Economic 
Development Partnership. He chaired the Salem Electoral Board for 15 
years and served on the Roanoke College Planned Giving Board. At his 
church, Salem Presbyterian, to which he belonged for more than 70 
years, he served as deacon, elder, trustee, and Sunday School teacher.
  The Boy Scouts of America had a special place in his heart. He took 
pride in the achievement of Eagle Scout rank by two of his grandsons. 
The organization benefited from his volunteerism over a span of more 
than fifty years. He was president of the Blue Ridge Mountains Council 
and provided it with his services as an attorney for free.
  Many organizations and causes in Salem and the greater Roanoke region 
were served well by Jim, and they honored him in return. He was 
recognized by the Jaycees with the Distinguished Service Award, by the 
Boy Scouts with the Silver Beaver Award, and the Economic Development 
Partnership by being named Citizen of the Year. He was also inducted 
into the Salem High Alumni Hall of Fame.
  Beside his many charitable pursuits, Jim enjoyed playing tennis and 
proved his skill on the court as a three-year Virginia United States 
Tennis Association doubles champion in the 75- to 80-year-old division 
and a two-year champion in the 80-plus age group.
  I had the opportunity to know Jim personally, including from our 
mutual service on the board of the Blue Ridge Mountains Council. He 
invested a lot of time in his own daughters and the children of the 
community.
  Jim's family was important to him. He was predeceased by one of his 
daughters, Cathy Harman. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, 
Barbara, his daughters Debbie Harris, Becky Garrison, and Cindy 
Courtright and their husbands as well as Cathy's husband, and eight 
grandchildren. I offer my condolences to them on their loss. Many in 
the Roanoke Valley had their lives improved by Jim's tireless and 
selfless service.

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