[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 101 (Tuesday, June 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  HONORING JAMES M. SHURE FOR HIS LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2022

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to join Jewish Family Services as well as the many family, 
friends, and community leaders who have gathered to pay tribute to a 
special member of our community and a man I am honored to call my 
friend, James M. Shure. Better known as Jimmy throughout the community, 
he was born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, spending a lifetime 
giving back to the city and its residents.
  Jimmy grew up in the Westville section of New Haven, the son of a 
much beloved local funeral director. His father, Robert, opened the 
Robert E. Shure Funeral Home on George Street in 1939, quickly becoming 
known throughout New Haven's Jewish community for his compassion and 
dedication in planning burial services for their loved ones. As 
successful as he was, Robert did not encourage Jimmy to follow in his 
footsteps and take over the family business--in fact, he was determined 
that Jimmy would not do so. Following his father's advice, Jimmy sought 
to follow another path, attending college and graduate school where he 
earned an advanced degree in English Literature.
  Shortly after completing his Ph.D., Jimmy found himself harkening 
back to his childhood memories of overhearing the late-night and 
weekend phone conversations when distraught families called his father 
to seek help and reassurance. He recalled friends telling him about the 
important role Robert had played in honoring others' lives. He knew his 
dad's work mattered and soon realized that he would much rather serve 
the community than teach in a classroom. So, despite his father's 
initial disappointment, Jimmy attended mortuary school and began 
working at the family funeral home, taking over the day-to-day 
operations when Robert retired in 1975. For nearly five decades, Jimmy 
has helped families navigate one of the most difficult of life's 
trials--saying goodbye--ensuring that the time-honored customs and 
traditions of the Jewish faith are kept with understanding and comfort.
  Jimmy's compassion and support of the community goes beyond his 
professional life. He also dedicates his time and energies to 
strengthening the reach and capabilities of non-profit organizations 
like Jewish Family Services. He understands the difference they can 
make in the lives of others and has made it a personal mission to 
ensure that these organizations have the resources necessary to meet 
the needs of the community.
  In the Jewish tradition, it is taught that one should give tzedakah 
because they want to, not because they have to and that everyone has a 
responsibility to help those suffering from poverty. Through his 
professional work as well as his personal philanthropy, Jimmy has 
exemplified that lesson, setting a standard of generosity to which we 
should all strive. At this evening's annual Spring celebration, a 
yearly event that marks the renewed commitment of the organization to 
its mission, Jewish Family Services is honoring Jimmy for his dedicated 
service. I am honored to join them in extending my heartfelt thanks and 
sincere appreciation to James M. Shure for all of his good work on 
behalf of our community. Mazel Tov.

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