[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15711-15712]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING JIM LYONS

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute to Jim 
Lyons.
  Jim was a tax counsel for Chairman Hatch on the Finance Committee. 
Before that, he served as a tax counsel for the committee when I was 
ranking member.
  Jim had a medical emergency during a basketball game for charity 
which, unfortunately for us all, he did not survive.
  Those who knew Jim would not be surprised that he was spending an 
evening at an event to help others.
  He was well known for his generosity, whether it was donating holiday 
gifts for children in foster care or sharing his extensive knowledge of 
the Tax Code with younger staff who were learning the ropes.
  He was incredibly smart and had a zest for his work and for life that 
was joyous and inspiring to all of those around him.
  He loved to laugh and had a gift for making others laugh. Jim's quick 
wit is legendary, and he drew others to his company to hear what funny 
story or observation he might share next.
  Devising clever floor charts that made an insightful point about tax 
policy was a Jim Lyons specialty. He was extremely gifted in using 
humor to draw attention to a serious policy concern or to point out a 
political absurdity.
  It is a rare skill and one that Jim used to great effect. People 
liked to hear what he had to say. The tragedy of his loss in the prime 
of his life is immeasurable. Those of us who knew him take comfort in 
learning from his example. We can do serious work without taking 
ourselves too seriously. In fact, we might be much more successful by 
finding room to share a laugh with others. I wish Jim eternal peace and 
send my best wishes to his loving family.

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