[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23257]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF DR. JAMES RICHARD RUTLEDGE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 2004

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to 
mourn the death of Dr. James Rutledge, who recently passed away at the 
age of sixty-five. I am honored to stand before this body of Congress 
and this Nation to recognize his many accomplishments.
  Jim was born December 8, 1938 in Ironton, Ohio. Shortly thereafter 
his family moved to Ashland, KY where he graduated from Ashland High 
School in 1956, received a Bachelor of Science degree from the 
University of Kentucky in 1960, and attended medical school at the 
University of Louisville and received his Doctorate of Medicine in 1964 
followed by a 2-year rotating internship.
  Jim joined the Air Force at the rank of Captain and served his 
country as a General Medical Officer at Warner Robbins Air Force Base 
and in Thailand during the Vietnam War in 1967 and 1968. He attained 
the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the 
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
  Following his return from Thailand, Jim did a 4-year residency in 
Pathology at the University of Louisville and became board certified in 
Anatomical and Clinical Pathology in 1972. From 1973 until 1980 Jim was 
Pathologist and Medical Director of Laboratory Medicine at Greenview 
Hospital and Bowling Green-Warren County Hospital in Bowling Green, 
Kentucky.
  Jim was married to Rhonda Martin in Bowling Green, Kentucky on July 
8, 1978. They moved their family to Jasper, Alabama in February 1980 
and Jim began his work with Pathology Associates as Surgical and 
Clinical Pathologist and Medical Director of Laboratory Medicine at 
Walker Baptist Medical Center.
  Jim, along with Rhonda, supported good government by supporting 
candidates and the Republican Party in his county. As the years passed 
Jim continued to support many activities of the Republican Party at the 
local, state and national level. Jim was a man who loved his family and 
was devoted to them. He also loved and served his country with honor 
during his military service and as an active citizen dedicated to the 
security of our American heritage and the growth of good government.
  The Town of Jasper, Alabama benefited tremendously from his kindness 
and selfless service to his fellow citizens. During Jim's life he 
served others as a physician helping care for those who needed his 
oversight, knowledge and expertise in their time of illness. Dr. Jim 
Rutledge was a man who loved his God, his wife, his family and his 
country. He was a true American Hero to so many during his life. He was 
a man many depended upon--a man of little fanfare but deep wisdom and 
compassion. All who knew Jim were encouraged and uplifted because of 
having crossed his path. He was a quiet man, a man of great dignity and 
character who served others and took great pride in the accomplishments 
of those he helped and loved. My thoughts and prayers go out to his 
family, friends, and community at this difficult time of bereavement.

                          ____________________