[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 22095] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO JAMES LAMAR SHULER ______ HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK of florida in the house of representatives Wednesday, November 15, 2006 Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and to mourn the passing of James Lamar Shuler, a civic leader, successful entrepreneur, talented businessman, community role model, devoted husband, beloved family man and loyal friend. Mr. Shuler will be remembered as a selfless individual who spearheaded economic development and neighborhood revitalization programs within the community. What Mr. Shuler practiced, he preached; vision was followed by action. I grieve with Mr. Shuler's wife, Barbara Carey-Shuler, a former Miami-Dade Commissioner and political icon in south Florida. During this difficult time, the Carey and Shuler families do not mourn alone: They are joined in prayer by a saddened and indebted community. James Lamar Shuler was born on August 14, 1953 to Marian Steward Shuler and Cleveland Shuler of Delray Beach, Florida. Mr. Shuler attended S.D. Spady Elementary School and graduated from Atlantic High School in 1971. He then graduated from Miami-Dade Community College in 1976 with a degree in Mortuary Science and became a Licensed Funeral Director in 1977. Mr. Shuler soon purchased the House of Albert Funeral Home on West Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, then renovated and dedicated Shuler's Memorial Chapel Inc. on May 26, 1985. An institution that served the community was borne. Mr. Shuler was a professional who provided funeral services to all, irrespective of their economic status. Mr. Shuler hosted a re-dedication celebration on May 21, 2001 to recognize the renovation and expansion of his funeral home. The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by approximately 800 well wishers, including government officials and celebrities. Mr. Shuler achieved iconic status within the community. Personal successes were coupled with community leadership activities. Mr. Shuler served as chairman of the West Atlantic Redevelopment Coalition which supported business and investment activities along the West Atlantic corridor. Mr. Shuler also served actively as chair of the Community Redevelopment Agency, guiding neighborhood renewal projects throughout Delray Beach. Mr. Shuler was named 1998 Mortician of the Year and served as 1st vice president of the Florida Mortician Association. He attended Saint Paul AME Church in Delray Beach. He was also a member of the Delray Beach Masonic Lodge #275, the Zeta Iota Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, the Alpha Gamma Chapter of Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary fraternity, the Vision 2000 Committee for Delray Beach. Mr. Shuler is survived by his wife, Barbara Carey-Shuler; sons, Victor Shuler and Wesley Potts; daughter, Jessica Coogle; stepson, Archie Carey; two brothers, Jerry Shuler and Cleveland Shuler; and a sister, Marion Stewart. When families throughout Delray Beach and south Florida experienced the passing of a loved one, they came to Shuler's Memorial Chapel for funeral arrangements. It was James Lamar Shuler who would comfort the bereaved, in a manner that bespoke his grace, empathy and humanity. We stand united as one community honoring this remarkable man. ____________________