October 28, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 170 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1346-E1347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING STAFF SERGEANT JIM SKINNER, RECIPIENT OF TEXAS' THIRD 
     CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2019 CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. VAN TAYLOR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 28, 2019

  Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, today, it is my privilege to honor twelve 
distinguished military veterans from Texas' Third Congressional 
District who answered the call to serve their

[[Page E1347]]

Nation honorably, both in uniform and following their return to 
civilian life. The recipients of the 2019 Congressional Veteran 
Commendation exemplify the time-honored qualities of patriotism, 
service before self, and bold leadership. Following their time in 
service, their efforts in our community have earned these fine 
individuals recognition as the recipients of this prestigious 
commendation. Their stories of sacrifice will encourage future 
generations to pursue a life dedicated to the very values we cherish as 
Americans: faith, freedom, and democracy. One such hero is Staff 
Sergeant Jim Skinner of Melissa, Texas.
   Staff Sergeant Jim Skinner's history of service began in 1979 when 
he entered into the United States Air Force, quickly earning the title 
of Security Police Military Working Dog Handler after completing the 
rigorous patrol and drug dog handler training. He would spend the next 
seven years in the role of dog handler, investigator, and SWAT team 
operator in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and New Mexico. For his 
dedicated efforts in defense of our nation, Staff Sergeant Jim Skinner 
would receive the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement 
Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and Outstanding Small Unit Award.
   While Skinner would leave the military in 1987, his desire to 
protect the innocent would continue, leading him to pursue a Juris 
Doctorate from the University of Houston Law Center in 2001. Upon 
graduation he would work as a civil rights lawyer, representing child 
victims of sexual abuse. In 2007, he was appointed as an Assistant 
District Attorney and Special Prosecutor of the Collin County Criminal 
District Attorney's Office and later served as the Second Assistant 
District Attorney and Chief of the Special Prosecutions Division.
   Jim further developed his passion for serving the public when he was 
elected as the 39th Sheriff of Collin County in January 2017. His drive 
to protect the most innocent led to the creation of the Child 
Exploitation Unit. Additionally, Sheriff Skinner was responsible for 
bringing together the Sheriffs of seven counties to form the North 
Texas Sheriff's Office Criminal Interdiction Unit, which targets 
criminals who are illegally transporting narcotics, weapons, cash or 
persons involved in human trafficking on our highways.
   Sheriff Skinner has found countless ways to serve our community 
including his role as a board member for the Child Advocacy Center of 
Collin County, as a Trustee for Collin County Meals on Wheels, as a 
former board member for the North Texas Crime Commission, and as the 
Judge Advocate for the Bill Bryant Post 110 of the American Legion. Jim 
Skinner is a devoted public servant who has spent his entire life 
giving back to the community and working towards ensuring the values 
that we hold dear as Americans are maintained and he is to be commended 
for work to improve our nation.
   Today, a grateful Nation thanks Staff Sergeant Skinner for his 
exceptional service and congratulates him on this recognition. May his 
steadfast example of leadership inspire others to live a life of 
service to a cause greater than themselves. It is my extreme honor to 
award him the 2019 Congressional Veteran Commendation for the Third 
District of Texas.

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