September 16, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 160 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Page H4437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING JAMES BUTLER III

  (Ms. SLOTKIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. SLOTKIN. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to remember James Butler 
III of East Lansing, Michigan.
  Lovingly known as the Godfather of Lansing, Mr. Butler lived a life 
of service that began when he was born into a Navy family in 1943.
  His achievements speak for themselves. He was called to serve in the 
Army, finishing top of his class as a noncommissioned officer at Fort 
Benning. He served in Vietnam, earning two Purple Hearts and four 
Bronze Stars for heroism in combat.
  However, if you really want to know who James Butler was, listen to 
the words he promised while serving: ``If I make it back, I will give 
back.''
  Well, he made it back, and he spent the next 30 years working at IBM, 
moving to Michigan and breaking barriers as the first Black man to hold 
an executive-level position at the company.
  Even in retirement, Mr. Butler answered the call to serve, working 
under former Governor Granholm as the director of the Michigan 
Broadband Development Authority.
  In short, Mr. Butler lived a life of giving back. For his work, he 
was recognized by too many organizations to list at this time.
  But for those who knew him best, Rishan, his wife of 52 years, his 
three kids and seven grandkids, he was a good and kind man, and he will 
be dearly missed by all.

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