[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 18274] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING THE MEMORY OF MR. JAMES HERMAN FAULKNER, SR. ______ HON. JO BONNER of alabama in the house of representatives Tuesday, September 9, 2008 Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, Bay Minette and indeed the entire State of Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor him and pay tribute to his memory. Mr. James H. Faulkner, Sr., known to his many friends simply as Mr. Jimmy, was a devoted family man and dedicated community leader throughout his life. In a loving tribute, Mobile's Press-Register noted that Mr. Jimmy ``left behind a lasting legacy of achievements that contributed to the economic, educational, and cultural well-being of his community, his county and his state.'' First and foremost, Mr. Jimmy loved Bay Minette; he loved Alabama; and he loved his country. In fact, he was one of the most patriotic men I have ever known. He answered his Nation's call to service and attained the rank of first lieutenant serving as pilot and flight instructor in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. When Mr. Jimmy went back to Alabama following his military service, he returned to what was already a successful career. He was the owner of the Baldwin Times newspaper and had served as mayor of his beloved Bay Minette. In fact, when Mr. Jimmy was elected mayor in 1941, he was said to be the youngest mayor in America. Years later, Mr. Jimmy went on to serve Baldwin, Monroe, and Escambia Counties by becoming one of Alabama's most respected and influential State senators. He also ran twice for Governor of Alabama. Mr. Jimmy blazed a trail of success in the world of business, spanning 42 years as the owner and publisher of a chain of south Alabama newspapers, and he served as president of seven radio stations in Alabama and Georgia. However, he was not a person to rest on his laurels. Mr. Jimmy's entrepreneurial talents gave him the confidence to start Loyal American Life Insurance Company of Mobile. During most of the past 50 years, he was associated with Volkert & Associates, one of the top engineering, architectural, planning, and environmental firms in the United States. He served on the boards of two Baldwin County banks as well as the board of Alpine Laboratories of Bay Minette. Undoubtedly, Mr. Jimmy's legacy will be his lifelong dedication to improving education. He served as chairman of the board of directors for Alabama Christian College in Montgomery, which was renamed Faulkner University in his honor and now has campuses in Huntsville and Mobile. He was instrumental in bringing a 2-year college to Baldwin County, which became the James H. Faulkner State Community College in Bay Minette. During his tenure as a State senator, Mr. Jimmy was credited with establishing the teachers' retirement system. He was awarded eight honorary doctorate degrees in law and humane letters, and he served on several commissions that worked to improve Alabama's secondary education system. Over his lifetime, Mr. Jimmy received more than 35 awards. He was named the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Person of the Century in 2000, and in 2003, he was awarded the Alabama Press Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1992, the Alabama State Senate and House of Representatives passed a resolution commending Mr. Jimmy for his outstanding personal achievement. Madam Speaker, there has been no other individual more important to south Alabama or to the life of his community than James H. Jimmy Faulkner, Sr. Mr. Jimmy will be deeply missed by his family--his wife, Karlene Faulkner; his sons, James H. Faulkner, Jr., and his wife, Beverly Faulkner, and Dr. Henry Wade Faulkner and his wife, Ann Blackburn Faulkner; his eight grandchildren, and his 14 great grandchildren--as well as the countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all during this difficult time. ____________________