Jim Jontz Remembered

    I don't know how many people out there worked with or knew Jim Jontz. He was a long-time activist who worked in the trenches of labor and politics for a long, long time...Jim died today of cancer. Here is what Americans For Democratic Action sent out:

It is with profound sorrow that I announce the death today of Jim Jontz.  As many but not all of you know,  Jim has been battling cancer for more than two years now.  Today he lost that fight and we are all diminished.  For me personally, this is the loss of a friend of more than 20 years.  I have known him as a young state legislator, a Member of Congress, an activist, ADA president, mentor, advisor, leader of Working Families Win and so much more.  Each of you will have similar memories. 

The past two weeks have, in many ways, been harder on us than on Jim.  He was in no pain and was surrounded by family.  You will not be surprised to know that he worked until he literally could not.  We have committed to him that his work will continue and we will live up to that commitment.

His sister tells me that he has designated the ADA Education Fund for contributions.  These contributions are tax deductible and will be dedicated to Working Families Win's educational activities.

    For a short period of time, Jim was active in the National Writers Union, trying to bring his expertise to the work of organizing independent writers. I got to know him back then and, most recently, I've been serving with him on the advisory board of United Professionals. He will really be missed.

    Here's another story from The Indianapolis Star.

Comments

[Arletta Reith]

Jim Jontz was a very strong, intelligent, hard-working man who fought with every ounce of energy in him, for a favorite cause. If Jim Jontz was on board for your cause, you were most blessed.

May Jim Jontz, my friend, rest in peace.

[Nathan Sooy]

I was privileged to know Jim Jontz over the course of a year o
or so. While I led the work of Wisconsin Citizen Action in the 8th Congressional District I coordinated and brainstormed with Jim about joint work around volunteer recruitment and election strategy.

Jim was a man of passion and truth-telling. May that always be said of the rest of us.

Nathan Sooy
Baltimore, Maryland

[Rosemary]

Tonight the monthly delegates meeting of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, was adjourned in Jim's name. The County Fed represents over 800,000 workers in LA County.

[Gerard Colby]

Jim Jontz, a former three-term Congressman from Indiana and an activist in the environmental movement, served on the National Writers Union's national Community Action Program Committee and participated in our lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. He was also president of Americans for Democratic Action between 1998 and 2002, leading its Working Families Win campaign, struggling for such issues as increasing the federal minimum wage and health care for the 40 million uninsured Americans. He was a passionate defender of the forests of the Northwest, and wisely worked to bring the labor and environmental movements together into coalitions.

Jim was a kind, gentle and principled man who was generous with his time and knowledge of the processes of Capitol Hill. He was a strong supporter of NWU and participated in NWU's National Executive Board meeting last autumn in Boston. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Gerard Colby
President
National Writers Union, UAW Local 1981
Tel: 212.254.0279
Fax: 212.254.0673 www.nwu.org

[Janis Ward]

I was honored to know Jim Jontz in High School. We were in the same church group and he was very active. He always was there to help others and was a friend to all.

[Doug Clark]

There has been no other truly grassroots politician since Jim Jontz. I had the privilege of working on Jim's 1992 campaign staff. While the outcome of that election was heartbreaking, his simple, magical way of reaching people on their level profoundly influence me.

I'll always remember the door-to-door walks, the fish fries and his infamous parade bicycle. He was a stranger to no one and in his own unique style remained genuine to his values.

Tip O'Neil may have said all politics is local, but Jim Jontz showed what that really meant.

Thank you, Jim.

Doug Clark

[Paul L]

Jim Jontz was my congressman when I lived in Indiana. I didn't know that he had died last Saturday until I googled his name just a minute ago.

What I remember best about Jim was his sense of hope and persistence. He was like a salmon swimming upstream for much of his political life, winning elections -- often narrowly -- in a heavily Republican district by force of his personality and the help of hundreds of volunteers who he inspired. He finaly made it to Congress, and stayed there for a lot longer than anyone thought should have been possible.

I also remember when, during one of his races his opponent called a press conference and introduced his "family" -- his wife, children, grandchildren. The purpose was to give fan rumors that Jim was gay. A couple of days later, Jim had his own press conference. "I want to introduce you to my family," he said. "Here's my mom, my dad, my sisters, nieces, nephews. . ."

Jim won the election.

[Trudy Foster]

I would like for the family of Jim Jontz to know how eternally grateful I am to him for personally taking the steps to find help for my son who was the victim of a drunk driver. He was 15 years old. He was bed fast until his death at the age of 43 as a result of this accident. I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Jontz untimely death. Trudy

[Marlene Neve]

I worked with Jim Jontz when he first came to Washington DC to meet folk and raise money for his campaign. I told him, after a few encounters, that I thought he was 'a one man band'. And he was. He did it all, plus was a credit as a Congressman AND a good vote for labor. His kind will always be remembered fondly.

[maureen hennessy]

I only knew Jim for less than a year, but am devastated by his loss. He was remarkable in so many ways -- a genuine public servant, caring only about those who needed his help and doing whatever he could to make things right. I am grieving and will always miss this wonderful guy.

[Arthur]

Sorry to learn of Jim's transition. Jim will be physically missed, but if I know Jim, he's still working hard for causes he champions. We're all blessed to have know and worked with him.

[mark a. diener]

At the antique store I found a button that said
I'm voting for jim jontz. This brought back some
good memories.

God Bless
The Dieners
White Co. Ind.

I have button.