[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 27176-27177]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO FORT MYERS MAYOR JIM HUMPHREY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CONNIE MACK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 6, 2009

  Mr. MACK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of southwest 
Florida's hardest-working public servants, Fort Myers Mayor Jim 
Humphrey, who is retiring after an exceptional career.
  I've known Jim for a number of years now. He's been a great friend of 
the Mack Family, and he was one of my earliest supporters when I first 
decided to run for Congress. Jim's civility and demeanor have earned 
him the nickname ``Gentleman Jim,'' and I can't think of a more fitting 
description for a great public servant, family man, and friend.
  Jim has been a strong force for the people of southwest Florida. His 
enthusiasm and passion for serving the community is inspiring. Jim's 
the type of elected official that all of us strive to be: accessible, 
dedicated and effective.
  But perhaps the most important job Jim has ever held is that of a 
father and grandfather. He is so proud of his daughters and beams when 
he speaks about his grandchildren. Jim's family bring him his greatest 
joy, and this joy shines through in everything he does.
  Jim has worked tirelessly to make southwest Florida a great place to 
live, work and visit. Under his leadership, the city of Fort Myers was 
designated as the Healthiest City in the Southeast in 2003 and a 
Preserve America Community in 2004, among other accolades. In addition, 
Jim has worked to obtain vital funding to preserve our community's 
unique treasures, such as the Edison & Ford Winter Estates and the 
Langford-Kingston Home.
  Of course, Jim's public service does not end with his stint in the 
Mayor's Office. Jim has held countless positions on numerous civic and 
charitable organizations throughout southwest Florida. He's the type of 
person who believes in giving back to his community tenfold and has 
done just that. From his service as the first full-time Lee County 
Attorney, to his time as a city judge in Fort Myers, Jim will have left 
a lasting mark on southwest Florida.
  Madam Speaker, the city of Fort Myers, and indeed all of southwest 
Florida, are better off today because of Jim's service. It is truly an 
honor and a privilege to represent Jim in the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and I wish

[[Page 27177]]

Jim, his wife Nancy, and their beloved family all the best.

                          ____________________