NRCC Chairman Tom Cole’s Statement on the Retirement of Congressman Jim Walsh Washington- NRCC Chairman Tom Cole, today, made the following statement after an announcement from Congressman Jim Walsh (NY-25) that he would retire from the U.S. House of Representatives at the end of his current term: “Congressman Jim Walsh has been a dedicated and strong leader for his constituents in New York’s 25th Congressional District ever since he was first elected to the U.S House in 1988. During his time in Congress, Jim was a proven leader and a tireless advocate for our nation’s veterans. Jim’s hard work and strong voice for the people of upstate New York will be truly missed. “I believe the voters of New York will send another hard-working Republican to Congress in 2008. The NRCC will be will be working with local Republicans to field a candidate who will continue to represent the interests of New York’s 25th Congressional District.”