[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10066]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         IN MEMORY OF JIM WHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2011

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to a man of great 
character, patriotism, and community pride: Mr. Jim Wham of Centralia, 
Illinois, who passed away May 20, 2011, at the age of 92.
  I first met Jim when, as a child, I visited my late grandfather, John 
Shimkus, who owned a clothing store in Centralia. Jim Wham, already a 
well known attorney, knew my grandfather and I remember meeting this 
well educated, well informed, larger than life man. Many years later, 
when I began running for Congress, I again met Jim--who was very active 
in politics--and became much more acquainted with him. Jim became a 
friend and trusted advisor. His viewpoints on crucial issues were 
always well thought out and came from a deep love of his country. I 
could always count on Jim to tell me exactly what he thought.
  Jim was a 1936 graduate of Centralia Township High School, was center 
on the Centralia Orphans basketball team that competed in the State 
Tournament at Champaign, and later attended the University of Illinois 
where he lettered in track. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1947 
and practiced at the law firm started by his grandfather William Bundy 
and remained the active senior partner of Wham and Wham until his 
death.
  Jim also served in the Army Air Corps in World War II advancing to 
the rank of major and was awarded the bronze star.
  Jim was large in stature and large in his love of politics, the law, 
and life. He shared his passion for this country and the Republican 
Party any chance he could.
  Jim even ran for Congress once on the Jim Wham Party banner, after 
missing the deadline to file as a Republican. The reason for his 
Congressional run was because of the incumbent's vote against the 
amendment prohibiting the burning of the flag. Jim had seen firsthand 
in WWII the price paid for that flag and wanted others to know it as 
well. He was first and foremost a true patriot.
  Jim also served as a judge of the Illinois Court of Claims and was a 
candidate for Illinois Appellate Court Judge. Jim was a member of the 
First United Methodist Church in Centralia and was a Sunday School 
teacher there.
  Most recently, well into his 90's, Jim hosted a weekly radio show on 
WILY in Centralia. I had the privilege of being his guest on this show 
in studio. He was still well informed, still very articulate, and I 
could still not win an argument with him. His voice in Centralia will 
be missed.
  Survivors include his wife Phyllis; daughters Sarah Cary and Jennifer 
Price; his brother William; grandchildren: Andrew Wham Cary, Stephen 
Wham Cary, Rebecca Ann Cary, Susannah Jane Price, James Daniel Price, 
Katharine Elizabeth Price and Mary Karen Price; and great 
grandchildren: Zachary Cary and Samantha Cary.
  Jim was laid rest in Centralia. And while I was unable to attend in 
person, I can certainly take this opportunity to let his name ring 
throughout this hallowed hall. He deserves no less and would certainly 
love hearing it.

                          ____________________