[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20687]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JAMES BRUCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED WHITFIELD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2006

  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring to the attention of this 
House the end of an era in the Kentucky General Assembly. In January, 
2007, the longest serving member of the Kentucky General Assembly, 
Representative James Bruce will retire after having 42 years in the 
Kentucky House of Representatives.
  I have known Representative Bruce for most of my life, and he taught 
me the ropes of government and politics early on when I served with him 
for one term in the Kentucky House from 1974-1975. Upon arriving in 
Frankfort, I learned quickly that Representative Bruce was one of the 
most effective legislators in Kentucky. He had the respect and 
admiration of his colleagues both Democrat and Republican, and when he 
told you something you could count on it. Many Governors have relied on 
Representative Bruce to get their agendas through the legislature.
  Back home in the 9th District, he was legendary as someone who seldom 
if ever had an opponent during an election year, and who was faithful 
in delivering to his district. Much of the progress in agriculture, 
infrastructure, and economic development in Representative Bruce's 
district is in large part attributable to his skill, seniority, and 
effectiveness in Frankfort. I am confident that if you asked 
Representative Bruce about his success he would attribute it to his 
lovely wife Janie who has been at his side for nearly every trip 
between Hopkinsville and Frankfort and whom many have said that with 
Jim and Janie we had two for one.
  Mr. Speaker, 2007 will mark the end of an era in the Kentucky General 
Assembly and the 9th House District will miss the presence of 
Representative James E. Bruce. He leaves large shoes behind to fill.

                          ____________________