[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 172 (Thursday, October 19, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E995]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





             HONORING THE LIFE OF JAMES DALE `JIM' POLITIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 2023

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to honor the life 
of James Dale `Jim' Politis, who passed away on October 10th, at the 
age of 76.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  On October 19, 2023, page E995, in the first column, the 
following appeared: Mr. GRIFFIN. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise 
today to honor the life of James Dale `Jim'
  
  The online version has been corrected to read: Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. 
Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to honor the life of James Dale 
`Jim'


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 


  A native of Chicago, Jim joined the Air Force in 1966 for four years, 
before attending Olympia Community College in Washington State. In 
1974, he joined the family business at CB Centers of America. He met 
and married his wife Janice (Jan) a year later and they remained 
married for 47 years. Eventually, while living in Knoxville, Tennessee, 
Jim and his wife started their own business, J&F Distributing.
  The family moved to Riner, Virginia in 1992, where they owned and 
operated the Brush Creek Buffalo Farm, Jan's family farm, raising 
Buffalo. They also ran the Brush Creek Buffalo Store in Riner.
  Jim was on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors from 1998 until 
2013, serving as Chair for four of those years. During his time on the 
Board of Supervisors, I represented the Riner area, both when I served 
in the Virginia House of Delegates and then as a Member of the U.S. 
House of Representatives. I had the pleasure of working closely with 
him on a number of issues of concern.
  One of the issues that Jim worked on was the legalization of 
Industrial Hemp. This is the product used to make fiber. The fiber 
product does not include very much THC (the active ingredient that 
gives the marijuana plant its potency). Industrial Hemp, thanks in part 
to Jim's lobbying efforts, was legalized in the 2014 Farm Bill.
  He is survived by his wife Jan, Stepmother Lorraine Politis, Children 
James D. Politis II (Stephanie), Jeannetta Politis (Luis Prado-Roman), 
Jason Politis (Callie), grandchildren Emma, Andrew, Gavin, and Jenna 
Rae. Siblings Evelyn Bluemke, Karen Kaufman (Kevin), Sue Kaufman, 
Michael Kaufman (Debbie); as well as many nieces and nephews. I wish 
them all my deepest condolences on the loss of their loved one.
  May Jim remain in the hearts of his loved one for years to come. He 
will not be forgotten for the positive impact he made on the Montgomery 
County community.

                          ____________________