Floor SpeechNeutral2026-01-22

HONORING JIM PEELER

ImmigrationTaxesEnvironmentDefenseCivil Rights

Context

On 2026-01-22, Representative Donald Norcross (D-NJ-1) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING JIM PEELER" in the House. The speech addressed immigration and also covered taxes, the environment.

Full Text

HONORING JIM PEELER

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 15 (Thursday, January 22, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 15 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E66] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING JIM PEELER ______ HON. DONALD NORCROSS of new jersey in the house of representatives Thursday, January 22, 2026 Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Jim Peeler for receiving the 2026 Camden County Martin Luther King, Jr. Congressional Freedom Award. Born in North Carolina, Jim Peeler moved as a child with his family to Atlantic City, New Jersey. After graduating from college, Jim commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army in 1962. Following his service in the armed forces, Jim began what would be a 60-year civil service career. He first met Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 1964 Democratic Convention held in Atlantic city, where he discussed negative demonstrations at the convention and led to his appointment to the then newly established New Jersey State Division of Civil Rights by former New Jersey Governor Richard Hughes. Jim Peeler had worked in very high intensity human services roles prior to deciding to dedicate decades of service as an educator and coach at Overbrook High School and Edward Junior Highschool now known as Winslow Township High School. He ended his coaching career at Cherry Hill High School East, where he had the opportunity to work under and alongside Beau Woods and Herb Fisher for eight years, a time that he reflects upon fondly to this day. He retired as an educator in 2008. While he pushed his students both on the field and in the classroom, Jim Peeler also continued his education earning a Master of Administration and Supervision from Rutgers University. Following his retirement as an educator. Jim worked as an administrator for Camden County's Pollution Control Financing Authority, where he remained as a fixture for 12 years before. formally retiring in 2020. Meanwhile throughout his career, Jim Peeler committed himself to civil rights, serving a combined 24 years as Chairman of the Human Relations Councils for Cherry Hill, Camden County, and New Jersey. His time with the State Human Relations Council was at the behest of former governors McGreevey Corzine, and Christie. In 2006 Jim had the opportunity to present a session detailing ways to Pave the Way for Immigration through Human Relations at the Human Relations Council Conference. In 2013, he was awarded The Hela Yong Memorial Award from the New Jersey. Commission on Holocaust Education. Jim Peeler is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., American Legion 68 in Merchantville, the Cherry Hill Alliance on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, as well as the Cherry Hill African American Civic Association and several other organizations. Today, Jim has been happily married to his wife, Nancy, for 56 years and are the proud parents of Michael, Eric, and their late son Scott. They feel blessed to have their wonderful grandchildren, Chase, Breanna, Sierra, Brayden, and Shane and when not with family or volunteering, Jim is fishing or golfing. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring and commending Jim Peeler, a resident of Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey, a resident dedicated to his country and community and who has thoroughly served them both to the best of his ability. ____________________

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HONORING JIM PEELER Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 15 (Thursday, January 22, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 15 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E66] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING JIM PEELER ______ HON. DONALD NORCROSS of new jersey in the house of representatives Thursday, January 22, 2026 Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Jim Peeler for receiving the 2026 Camden County Martin Luther King, Jr. Congressional Freedom Award. Born in North Carolina, Jim Peeler moved as a child with his family to Atlantic City, New Jersey. After graduating from college, Jim commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army in 1962. Following his service in the armed forces, Jim began what would be a 60-year civil service career. He first met Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 1964 Democratic Convention held in Atlantic city, where he discussed negative demonstrations at the convention and led to his appointment to the then newly established New Jersey State Division of Civil Rights by former New Jersey Governor Richard Hughes. Jim Peeler had worked in very high intensity human services roles prior to deciding to dedicate decades of service as an educator and coach at Overbrook High School and Edward Junior Highschool now known as Winslow Township High School. He ended his coaching career at Cherry Hill High School East, where he had the opportunity to work under and alongside Beau Woods and Herb Fisher for eight years, a time that he reflects upon fondly to this day. He retired as an educator in 2008. While he pushed his students both on the field and in the classroom, Jim Peeler also continued his education earning a Master of Administration and Supervision from Rutgers University. Following his retirement as an educator. Jim worked as an administrator for Camden County's Pollution Control Financing Authority, where he remained as a fixture for 12 years before. formally retiring in 2020. Meanwhile throughout his career, Jim Peeler committed himself to civil rights, serving a combined 24 years as Chairman of the Human Relations Councils for Cherry Hill, Camden County, and New Jersey. His time with the State Human Relations Council was at the behest of former governors McGreevey Corzine, and Christie. In 2006 Jim had the opportunity to present a session detailing ways to Pave the Way for Immigration through Human Relations at the Human Relations Council Conference. In 2013, he was awarded The Hela Yong Memorial Award from the New Jersey. Commission on Holocaust Education. Jim Peeler is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., American Legion 68 in Merchantville, the Cherry Hill Alliance on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, as well as the Cherry Hill African American Civic Association and several other organizations. Today, Jim has been happily married to his wife, Nancy, for 56 years and are the proud parents of Michael, Eric, and their late son Scott. They feel blessed to have their wonderful grandchildren, Chase, Breanna, Sierra, Brayden, and Shane and when not with family or volunteering, Jim is fishing or golfing. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring and commending Jim Peeler, a resident of Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey, a resident dedicated to his country and community and who has thoroughly served them both to the best of his ability. ____________________