Celebrating the Life of Dr. James Richard Rutledge

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF DR. JAMES RICHARD RUTLEDGE -- (Extensions of Remarks - October 10, 2004)

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

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2004

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to mourn the death of Dr. James Rutledge, who recently passed away at the age of sixty-five. I am honored to stand before this body of Congress and this Nation to recognize his many accomplishments.

Jim was born December 8, 1938 in Ironton, Ohio. Shortly thereafter his family moved to Ashland, KY where he graduated from Ashland High School in 1956, received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kentucky in 1960, and attended medical school at the University of Louisville and received his Doctorate of Medicine in 1964 followed by a 2-year rotating internship.

Jim joined the Air Force at the rank of Captain and served his country as a General Medical Officer at Warner Robbins Air Force Base and in Thailand during the Vietnam War in 1967 and 1968. He attained the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Following his return from Thailand, Jim did a 4-year residency in Pathology at the University of Louisville and became board certified in Anatomical and Clinical Pathology in 1972. From 1973 until 1980 Jim was Pathologist and Medical Director of Laboratory Medicine at Greenview Hospital and Bowling Green-Warren County Hospital in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Jim was married to Rhonda Martin in Bowling Green, Kentucky on July 8, 1978. They moved their family to Jasper, Alabama in February 1980 and Jim began his work with Pathology Associates as Surgical and Clinical Pathologist and Medical Director of Laboratory Medicine at Walker Baptist Medical Center.

Jim, along with Rhonda, supported good government by supporting candidates and the Republican Party in his county. As the years passed Jim continued to support many activities of the Republican Party at the local, state and national level. Jim was a man who loved his family and was devoted to them. He also loved and served his country with honor during his military service and as an active citizen dedicated to the security of our American heritage and the growth of good government.

The Town of Jasper, Alabama benefited tremendously from his kindness and selfless service to his fellow citizens. During Jim's life he served others as a physician helping care for those who needed his oversight, knowledge and expertise in their time of illness. Dr. Jim Rutledge was a man who loved his God, his wife, his family and his country. He was a true American Hero to so many during his life. He was a man many depended upon-a man of little fanfare but deep wisdom and compassion. All who knew Jim were encouraged and uplifted because of having crossed his path. He was a quiet man, a man of great dignity and character who served others and took great pride in the accomplishments of those he helped and loved. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and community at this difficult time of bereavement.