[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 74 (Tuesday, May 2, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF JAMES ``J.P.'' POWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 2, 2023

  Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
the life of James ``J.P.'' Powell, a former Winter Haven City 
Commissioner and dedicated public servant. Commissioner Powell passed 
away after a courageous battle with cancer on April 24, 2023.
  J.P. was born in Akron, Ohio on October 31, 1957. He attended both 
Malone College in Canton, Ohio, and the University of Akron. Since 
1983, J.P. was an employee of Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home and Glen Abbey 
Memorial Gardens. At one point, he and his wife Kim even lived above 
Glen Abbey.
  During his extensive career in public service, J.P. served in various 
roles in the City of Winter Haven, Florida. He was first elected to 
Seat 1 of the Winter Haven City Commission in September 2007. He served 
in that position until January 2016 and was re-elected to Seat 5 in 
November 2017. He also served as Mayor of Winter Haven from 2011 
through 2013 and Mayor Pro Tempore in 2009 and 2010.
  J.P. was also privileged to serve as city liaison to the Polk Transit 
Authority and the Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating 
Board, as an alternate to the Polk Transportation Planning Organization 
and Ridge League of Cities, and a member of the city's Community 
Redevelopment Board.
  City employees recalled J.P. as a down-to-earth individual who took 
the time to get to know city staff on a personal level. Many knew him 
by his signature laughter that would echo throughout the commission 
chambers and say he always focused on making the best decisions for the 
betterment of the entire community.
  J.P. had a lifelong passion for aviation and served as the Winter 
Haven City Commission's Airport Advisory Board Liaison for over a 
decade. His desire to grow the Winter Haven Airport led to the city 
spending nearly $1 million to upgrade the airport's security systems.
  J.P.'s commitment to public service was unmatched. His family and 
friends say his real passion came from building relationships and 
connecting with people. He even continued to serve the city throughout 
his illness and treatment. His last meeting on the city commission was 
a discussion establishing quiet zones to limit train noise in 
residential areas--an issue about which he cared deeply.
  On behalf of Florida's 18th Congressional District, I extend our 
deepest condolences to J.P.'s wife Kim, his son Travis and daughter-in-
law Megan. He will be deeply missed by our community, but his 
contributions will be remembered by his friends, family and neighbors 
for years to come.

                          ____________________