[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18879]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO JIM GRAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 21, 2003

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to stand before this body of 
Congress and this nation today to recognize the many years of public 
service that Jim Gray of Alamosa, Colorado has devoted to our state. 
Jim's selfless contributions to his community as a member of the San 
Luis Valley Hospital's Board of Directors and as a local fireman have 
helped secure the health and lives of countless Coloradans. On his 
retirement, I am honored to speak of his accomplishments here today.
  Jim joined the San Luis Valley Hospital Board in 1969, serving for 
thirty-four years. Some of the most notable improvements to the 
hospital and the quality of care provided there occurred during Jim's 
tenure as Chairman of the Board. Jim was instrumental in adding 
physicians to the board, providing doctors with a voice in the overall 
operation of the hospital.
  While running his own business and serving the hospital, Jim also 
volunteered for more than twenty years as a fireman, retiring as 
Captain in 1979. He volunteered for the sole purpose of helping others, 
working to keep the community he loved safe.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my sincere pleasure to pay tribute to Jim Gray 
before this body of Congress and this nation. I join with my colleagues 
here today in applauding Jim's civic-mindedness, and I am proud to 
bring Jim's years of service to the attention of my colleagues in this 
House today. Thank you, Jim, for the service you have provided our 
community, and I wish you the best in your future endeavors.

                          ____________________