[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14756]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JAMES A. ROSS

  Mr. COTTON. Madam President, today I wish to recognize James A. Ross 
of Cotter as the Arkansan of the Week for exemplifying what it means to 
be a great Arkansan.
  After serving in the U.S. Navy, Jim and his wife Mary Lou moved to 
Cotter in 1959 to raise their three boys because they saw Arkansas as a 
State that puts people first.
  Jim worked as a carpenter and played a role in the construction of 
many buildings in Cotter, Mountain Home, and other areas in North 
Central Arkansas. Until his retirement, he worked tirelessly to ensure 
the success and stability of his family, his church, and his community.
  Jim is a popular guy in Cotter. He has always been an active member 
of the community. He served as the Cotter school board secretary and 
worked to help build the current Cotter City Hall. Additionally, Jim 
has served as a deacon for First Baptist Church in Cotter for over 40 
years.
  Jim and Mary Lou have been married for over 64 years. Jim now spends 
his time enjoying his three children and a number of grandchildren and 
great-grandchildren. In fact, it was one of those grandkids, Cameron, 
who nominated Jim for Arkansan of the Week. In his nomination, Cameron 
wrote:

       Jim's faith drives his every move, and at 86-years-old, he 
     still gives as much back to the community as he possibly can. 
     On any given day you can find him driving around town waving 
     at passersby, or working in his garden in front of his green-
     and-brown house with sunflowers painted on it.

  Cameron continued:

       Jim Ross is a great Arkansan, not because he has done one 
     major thing, but because he has done countless little things 
     to further his city, his state, and his nation.

  I couldn't agree more. Jim truly embodies what it means to be the 
Arkansan of the Week. We could all take a few lessons from him about 
commitment to faith, family, and community. Jim and Mary Lou came to 
Arkansas because they saw it as a State that puts people first, and it 
is people like Jim who make that recognition a reality.
  Madam President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.

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