Political Quotes

“another giant has fallen. I rise today to recognize the passing of James William Ratzlaff. As a conservationist, an avid outdoorsman, a philanthropist, and, most of all, a dear friend, Jim was one of Oregon's great civic leaders. He passed away on August 26 at home on his beloved ranch surrounded by love. Jim is survived by Jane, his loving wife of 54 years, and their children, Jim, Jr., and Susan, as well as Jim, Jr.'s wife Leinani and her sons, Lowell and Larkin, and Susan's son, Marcus James. For decades, Jim and Jane have exemplified and renewed our sense of what it means to be outstanding community leaders: patiently listening and learning, actively seeking equitable solutions, and, above all, leading by example. Jim's legacy of good deeds extends far beyond mere philanthropy. He threw himself headlong into the complex challenges facing communities in and well beyond his home in Roseburg, OR. His abiding love for nature and healthy watersheds always went hand-in-hand with his deep concern for the well-being of our communities. Jim always believed and worked to prove that community health, ecology, and economy are inseparable and that, together, we can strengthen all three. Jim's notable success in business served merely as a means to an end much bigger than himself. Those that knew him well would agree that he saw his good fortune as a blessing allowing him to expand his ability to do good in the world.…”