[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25374]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE MEMORY OF JAMES VINCENT McCONNELL, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 21, 2009

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, earlier this week the city of Mobile lost 
a dear friend and a respected leader and I rise today to honor Mr. 
James Vincent ``Jim'' McConnell Jr. and pay tribute to his memory. Jim 
was a successful businessman, an active citizen and a dedicated soldier 
who years earlier answered his country's call to serve. He will be 
remembered as a man devoted to his family, his country and his 
community.
  A native of Pensacola, Jim moved to Mobile as a teenager and 
graduated from Murphy High School. He received a football scholarship 
to the University of Alabama in 1959 and played under the legendary 
Coach Paul ``Bear'' Bryant. After graduating from the University of 
Alabama in 1963 with a degree in business administration, Jim entered 
the U.S. Army and served as a second lieutenant in Germany. He was 
later promoted to captain after being reassigned to Fort Campbell, 
Kentucky.
  After an honorable discharge, Jim worked for his father at Trail 
Cadillac-Pontiac before starting on his own dealership, Trail Pontiac 
on Dauphin Street. Later, Jim acquired the Mercedes-Benz and GMC Truck 
franchises, which he eventually merged with his brother's Cadillac 
dealership, forming McConnell Automotive Corporation. Jim was also a 
partner in the new Mercedes-Benz of Mobile.
  Jim served on the General Motors Dealer Advisory Board and as 
president of the Buick-Pontiac-GMC area marketing group for 20 years. 
He received numerous awards as a General Motors Master Dealer and 
Mercedes Benz Diamond Dealer. He was a member of the Red Elephant Club, 
served on the Senior Bowl committee and was active in a number of other 
civic and community organizations. In short, Jim McConnell was always 
giving back to the city he loved and called home.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a 
dedicated and generous community leader and a dear friend to many. Jim 
McConnell will be deeply missed by his family--his wife, Cynde; his 
sons, Mitch McConnell, Stan McConnell, Vince McConnell and Baker 
McConnell; his mother, Mary Louise McConnell; his brother Eddie 
McConnell; his sister, Mary Lou Layden; and his four grandchildren--as 
well as his many friends, colleagues, and patrons.
  Mobile--and indeed our entire state--lost a true leader for our area 
and our thoughts and prayers are with this family at this difficult 
time.

                          ____________________