Hundreds say ‘Thank You’ to Jim Marshall at Welcome Home Event

Hundreds of former Congressman Jim Marshall’s supporters gathered at Terminal Station Thursday night to welcome the local leader home.

City officials and community members from all over Middle Georgia showed up to thank Marshall for the 8 years he represented District 8 in Washington.

Politics were pushed aside as people waited in line to shake the hands of Jim Marshall. “I respect his opinions, and I feel everything he’s done he’s done from the heart,” said supporter Steve Allen.

Military officials, city leaders, and even children showed up to the event to celebrate Marshall and his accomplishments during his political career. “He’s been a strong advocate for the military, and community ties here, and we think its appropriate we come out to say thanks,” said Col. David Southerland of Robins Air Force Base.

Macon Mayor Robert Reichert also said, “It shows a great deal of respect for Jim, but I also think it’s a spirit from this community to do the right thing …be appropriate and say ‘thank you for your service and welcome home’.”

While flattered with all the support, Jim Marshall said the event wasn’t necessary, because he was just doing the job he loved. “When people tell me thank you my reaction is ‘thank you for saying that, but you should thank my wife and kids and all these people who put me there and all these people that have helped me do this job’.”

It was a job he had for the last 8 years, and his removal from office has left many people disappointed. One supporter said, “I’m just sorry the big money beat him.” Another said,”That was my greatest disappointment of this entire election ..that somebody like Jim Marshall would not be elected.”

Jim marshall may be stepping away from politics for now, but he’s still hoping for the best, he said “We’re well positioned, but it is going to take some leadership from an awful lot of folks and some sacrifice in order to realize what we could be as a state.”

Marshall will be teaching at Princeton University in the upcoming year. He also says he is not ruling out politics for good, but is looking forward to time off.