[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 190 (Wednesday, November 15, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        TRIBUTE TO JIM DEREMEIK

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of a dear 
friend Jim Deremeik who dedicated his career to supporting low-vision 
rehabilitation care and education.
  Jim and I first met at the New York Lighthouse Guild. I was finishing 
my optometry studies and doing an externship with the lighthouse 
program, and Jim was working at the Arkansas School for the Blind. Our 
work at the New York Lighthouse Guild involved learning how to better 
enable people who are blind, but still had partial vision, to use this 
remaining vision through magnifiers and other devices so they could 
better navigate a sighted world. Through Jim's persistence, I began 
volunteering in Little Rock at the Arkansas School for the Blind and 
developing a low-vision program. Working together and with the great 
team at the school, we were able to make a big difference in the lives 
of many students. Our working relationship turned into a deep 
friendship.
  My old football coach at the University of Arkansas Frank Broyles 
always used to say there are two kinds of people: givers and takers. I 
soon learned that Jim was the definition of a giver. Over the years, 
Jim has received many awards and accolades, but the thing he will be 
most remembered for is his servant leadership towards his students and 
clients, along with the example that he has set for his friends and 
coworkers.
  I know Jim is retiring, but I can't imagine him not being involved in 
some way through various organizations and entities to continue helping 
others. My only regret is that life has taken us down separate paths, 
and we have not gotten to spend nearly as much time with each other as 
I would like. I wish Jim and Peggy, his wonderful wife, the best. The 
blind community is much better off as a result of the dedication and 
care of Jim Deremeik.

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