[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13139]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING JIM CARMICHAEL'S COMMITMENT AND SERVICE TO THE KITSAP 
                   COUNTY REGION OF WASHINGTON STATE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEREK KILMER

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 2013

  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jim Carmichael, a 
recent recipient of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance's Lifetime 
Achievement Award. For 30 years, Mr. Carmichael has worked to advance 
the economic interests of Kitsap County through steadfast service to 
his community. As a result of his dedication, Mr. Carmichael has had a 
profound influence on the economic development of Kitsap County and the 
surrounding region.
   Mr. Carmichael began his work in the county in 1977, when he was 
hired as the chief lender for Kitsap Bank. By 1985, he was its 
President and Chief Operating Officer. Kitsap Bank has thrived under 
his stewardship, expanding throughout the region and creating good, 
living-wage jobs. Due to the foresight and judgment of Jim Carmichael, 
Kitsap Bank successfully navigated the worst economic downturn since 
the Great Depression.
   Mr. Speaker, as an active member of the Kitsap Economic Development 
Alliance, and as its former board president, Mr. Carmichael worked to 
foster local entrepreneurship, attract business to the region, and 
educate the community about the benefits of development. As a board 
member of the YMCA, he worked to promote the well-being of some of our 
most vulnerable citizens. As the head of Kitsap Bank, Mr. Carmichael 
ensured the availability of lending opportunities, making our 
communities stronger, healthier, and more self-reliant.
   Mr. Carmichael has always been someone that leaders throughout our 
community and state--including yours truly--could contact to better 
understand financial issues, economic development opportunities, or 
other civic matters.
   Mr. Speaker, it is because of these great accomplishments that he 
has received this special award. Today, I can say with confidence that 
the careful judgment of Mr. Carmichael, and his extraordinary 
commitment to the promotion of the public good, has made our state a 
better place to live and do business. I am pleased to recognize his 
service today.

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