[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 11984-11985]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JAMES E. MIZELL II

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 2005

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
late James E. Mizell II for his dedicated service to our country and 
community. Born in February 1948, in Bakersfield, Jim was a fourth 
generation Californian and remained devoted to the betterment of the 
state throughout his personal and professional life. Growing up in 
Taft, in the San Joaquin Valley, Jim developed an early appreciation 
for the importance of water resources to farmers and businessmen living 
in a desert. At the age of 14, he moved to Orange County and, soon 
after, met his future wife Pamela Mosier while attending Corona Del Mar 
High School.
  After his marriage to Pam, Jim was deployed by the United States Navy 
to South East Asia aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway. After 
fulfilling his military duty, he returned to Orange Coast College, 
finished his Bachelor of Science in Economics at Loyola Marymount and 
received an MBA from the Anderson School of Business at UCLA. Jim's 
interest in California's growth led him to specialize in real estate 
development. Jim also leaves a legacy of balanced and practical 
environmental stewardship, business and financial acumen, as well as 
decade of leadership as an elected director of the Santa Margarita 
Water District.
  Jim passed away on January 14th of this year while taking his morning 
run. He is survived by his wife and four boys.
  Jim was fascinated by issues that shaped the future of ``his State''. 
He understood the

[[Page 11985]]

complex issues which impacted Southern California's ocean, in which he 
loved to surf and sail, and the beauty of Northern California's 
wilderness where he hiked and skied. He understood California's vital 
farming communities, and the necessary growth of the housing market to 
a growing economy.
  Jim was a man of integrity who believed in the goodness of people, 
and that most individuals are motivated by a sincere desire to 
accomplish positive results. However, he also believed man is limited 
by his ability to appreciate the opposing side of an argument. It is 
this dichotomy which Jim tried to bridge. His favorite adage was, ``No 
information is bad information.'' He urged those around him to embrace 
knowledge as friendly even if it was not ``good'' news, because the 
only bad information is no information at all. Jim could and would play 
``Devil's Advocate'' to advance another's understanding of the other 
side of an issue, to move groups toward agreement. He always sought a 
compromise because he believed that there should be no ``loser.'' The 
example he set is one we can all learn from.
  It was Jim's sincere desire that each of us contribute the best of 
ourselves today in order to prepare California for a better tomorrow. 
Jim Mizell served his family, country and his community with 
distinction and honor and I am truly proud to have called him a friend.

                          ____________________