Paying Tribute to Mr. Jim Raby

PAYING TRIBUTE TO MR. JIM RABY -- (Extensions of Remarks - October 11, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT
OF ALABAMA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2004

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honor Jim D. Raby who is celebrating his 70th birthday. Jim is a man who embodies the American principles of hard work, dedication to one's family, and service to one's country and I am honored to stand before this body of Congress and this Nation to recognize this wonderful man and his many accomplishments.

Jim was born on August 10, 1934 in the town of Jeff, Alabama. He grew up as a sharecropper in north Alabama, growing primarily cotton. He graduated from Monrovia High School in 1952 and briefly attended Andrew Jackson Business School in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1954, Jim joined the U.S. Navy and served his country honorably as a Seabee and as a Communications Technician.

Following his discharge from the service, Jim began work in Huntsville, Alabama for the Army Ballistics Missile Agency (ABMA) as an electronic technician. There he had the distinction of working with the former German Rocket Team, including Dr. Werner Von Braun, during the infancy of the U.S. Space Program. In 1960, ABMA was transformed into the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Jim joined the new agency as a Charter Member. He worked on almost every phase of the Pegasus, Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Skylab programs.
Jim's contributions included development of specifications and standards for electronic manufacturing, specifically soldering and crimp terminations as well as cable and harnesses. He installed many of these cables and harnesses in the original Mercury capsule. Jim then established schools for each of these subjects and performed lead activities in the fabrication of electronics for the Saturn and Apollo programs. Jim moved to various contractor facilities (as a NASA employee) throughout the United States to provide NASA guidance on manufacturing methods and techniques as well as providing Quality Assurance functions. He had the last word on flight readiness of electronic and electrical installations and in troubleshooting these systems when problems arose. The Moon landing during the summer of 1969 was the climax of this great era in Jim's life.

Jim left NASA in 1975 to work for the U.S. Navy at China Lake, California. While at China Lake, Jim developed the Soldering Standardization Program which standardized requirements DoD-wide and the Solder Training and Certification Program. He also started the Electronic Manufacturing and Production Facility (EMPF).

In 1984, Jim left the Navy to start Soldering Technology International, a family business in which he is still active. Soldering Technology International (STI) helps customers build more reliable electronic hardware. Under Jim's guidance, the company has twice been selected to INC Magazine's INC 500 list of fastest growing private companies. STI was also selected as Huntsville/Madison County's Small Business of the Year in the business services category for the year 2000. STI currently employs 45 people and has customers in all 50 states as well as 40 countries around the world.

Of all Jim's achievements, he is most proud of his family-wife Ellen, son David, daughter-in-law Sheila, and beautiful granddaughter Ashley. He is also proud of the many friends and admirers that he has come to know over the years.

Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege to honor Jim D. Raby for his many accomplishments and his enduring impact on his country, community and family. Jim has been and continues to be an inspiring role model for all of us, and I wish him the best of wishes on the occasion of his 70th birthday.