[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 18] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 23076] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO JOHN W. JACOBS, JR. ______ HON. NATHAN DEAL of georgia in the house of representatives Wednesday, December 6, 2006 Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, as a journalism major, John W. Jacobs, Jr., understands that a person's life is like a newspaper. From the announcement of birth, an event over which we have no control, to the obituary notice, which we will never read, events fill the pages of our lives, and it is how we respond to or create those events that will determine if our life's story is worth reading or remembering. For John W. Jacobs, Jr., most of his life has evolved in Gainesville, Georgia, where he was born on November 28, 1922. He graduated from high school there and attended Riverside Military Academy for a year before venturing west to the University of Missouri to attend the prestigious journalism school. The outbreak of World War II interrupted his education and he soon found himself on the battlefields of Europe in one of the most important battles of the war, the Battle of the Bulge, where he was awarded two Silver Stars. When the war concluded, he finished his college degree and returned to his hometown where he began his career in communications by selling ads for a local newspaper. He soon joined some of his veteran friends and formed the radio station WDUN. In the years that followed, he formed, bought and sold a newspaper, a cable television system and an FM radio station. Today, his company, Jacobs Media, owns three radio stations, an on-line local newspaper, and a travel agency. He and his son and daughter are the sole shareholders. If that was all that John Jacobs, Jr., had done with his life and talents, it would be an impressive story worthy of an extensive spread in the business section of any newspaper. But that is only part of the story, for John understood that business success must be coupled with personal service if anyone is going to be inspired by the story of your life. And it is in this arena where the real story of John Jacobs can be found. He has served as President of the Greater Hall County Chamber of Commerce on two separate occasions, President of the Gainesville Jaycees, Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge, local President and Governor of the Georgia District of Kiwanis, President of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters and the Georgia Cable Television Association. In addition, John has been active in Grace Episcopal Church, serving as Warden and Vestryman, chairman of Building Funds and Day Reader. John recognized that Brenau University was one of the jewels in his hometown and he has served on its Board of Trustees since 1958 and as Chairman of the Board for 23 years. For his long service and charitable support, he has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree and the Business and Communications Building has been named in his honor. He has also served as an active Trustee at Riverside Military Academy since 1975. It is no wonder that in 2000 Georgia Trend Magazine named him one of the 100 most influential Georgians, and that the City of Gainesville presented him with a Distinguished Citizen Award at its 180th Birthday Celebration. Since 2003 his primary involvement has been with the Northeast Georgia History Center and the completion of An American Freedom Garden which pays tribute to veterans and their gift of freedom. This year he will complete 2\1/2\ years as President of that organization. John's wife Martha Rand Jacobs, and their children, Elizabeth Carswell, and Jay Jacobs, and their seven grandchildren have set an example for service for all of us. John W. Jacobs, Jr. has filled the pages of his life with excitement, successes and service, and every day he is writing a new paragraph. He is an outstanding example of a purpose driven life, and he is a great encourager for all who would follow in his path. ____________________