[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 17, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H2452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                  HONORING THE SERVICE OF JAMES WRIGHT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bacon) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and celebrate a 
selfless civil servant who has served the Second District of Nebraska 
for well over 20 years in Federal, State, and local government. James 
Wright currently serves as our district director and has made a lasting 
impact for our constituents.
  In 2001, James started a decade-long position with my friend and 
former congressman, Lee Terry, as a constituent liaison and special 
projects coordinator, a role in which he handled constituent casework 
and developed outreach projects that addressed the needs of local 
governments, private civic organizations, and other constituents.
  One of his most impactful achievements was leading the district's 
transition assistance program after the FCC directed the conversion of 
all TV and radio systems from analog to digital. His model 
comprehensive program included information, education, and engagement 
to many who needed assistance to make a smooth and seamless transition.
  After a decade with Congressman Terry, former Governor David 
Heineman, also my friend, asked James to head up the Office of Violence 
Prevention, where he was responsible for developing, fostering, 
promoting, and assessing violence prevention programs throughout the 
State of Nebraska.
  James served there for a year before returning to Federal service and 
working with U.S. Senator Mike Johanns, a man I respect very much. He 
served as a special projects coordinator and constituent services 
representative, where he continued his passion for helping constituents 
by finding resources and solutions to resolve their cases.
  Following his time in the U.S. Senate, James once again took a detour 
from his Federal service and worked for the city of Omaha under another 
one of my friends, Mayor Jean Stothert, as the director of community 
outreach. In that role, he assisted neighborhood groups and alliances 
through the development of community outreach programs.
  After working in city government, James served under my friend and 
predecessor, Congressman Brad Ashford, as director of constituent 
services, where he provided direct assistance to constituents, 
delivering guidance and assistance to the constituent services team. He 
also worked with the senior staff to develop and maintain strategic 
relationships with relevant stakeholders in State and local government 
related to issues of importance to the congressional district.
  During this time, his leadership was key to the authorization of the 
first-ever public-private partnership that constructed a modern veteran 
healthcare center that has become the standard across the Nation in how 
to deliver better, faster, and more effective VA care.
  James joined our team in January of 2017. As our district director, 
James oversees the management and operation of the office, supervises 
and mentors our staff, and leads engagement with a multitude of local 
organizations, constituents, and elected officials across a wide 
variety of issue areas.

                              {time}  1045

  James also supervises all of our constituent services, delivering the 
best constituent services in Congress as recognized by the 
Congressional Management Foundation in 2021.
  James' service to the community goes way beyond his 20 years of 
Federal civil service. He is a semi-professional actor. James has 
served as a board member of the Omaha Community Playhouse since 2019 
and has starred in several of their productions, including roles in 
``Fences,'' ``Sweat,'' and ``Parade.''
  He also is a board member for Lutheran Outdoor Ministries focusing on 
the promotion of Carol Joy Holling Camp, which provides Christian 
education, spiritual, psychological, social, personal, and professional 
development in an environment that is free of any discrimination based 
on race, religion, color, creed, disability, national origin, age, or 
ancestry.
  Most importantly, James is a loving husband to his wife, Angie, and 
father of 7-year-old son, Lincoln. He offers much of the credit for his 
success to his mother, Sherry, a commissioned officer in the United 
States Air Force, who taught him to stand up for himself and that 
through hard work and determination he could accomplish anything he set 
his mind to.
  I want to add on a personal note, James is a great supervisor. He 
cares for people, he is strategic, and he has been a blessing as our 
district director running our Omaha office.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate James on his 20-plus years of service to 
his community and the Second Congressional District of Nebraska.

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