[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2026]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO JOHN H. APPLEYARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2002

  Mr. JEFF MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of 
Pensacola's most cherished and dedicated citizens, whom over the course 
of his life has given an immeasurable amount of time and effort to the 
community that he has worked so hard to build. He has given nearly 
1,000 speeches, written over 75 books, and taught over 500 lessons and 
classes tracing Northwest Florida history. A prolific writer and local 
historian, John H. Appleyard has dedicated his life to the Pensacola 
community and has become one of Pensacola's greatest assets.
  Actively involved in the Pensacola community for the past half-
century, Mr. Appleyard committed himself to the improvement of 
Northwest Florida. He served as president of the Pensacola Historical 
Society, the Downtown Rotary Club, and the PJC Foundation. In addition, 
he has given his time to such positions as director of the Home 
Builders Association of West Florida, the Lions Club, and the United 
Way Foundation. In 1959 Mr. Appleyard founded the John Appleyard 
Agency, a Pensacola advertising and public relations firm, for which he 
has actively been a part of since its inception.
  Over the past 50 years, this distinguished gentleman has received 
numerous honors and awards for his contributions to the Pensacola area. 
In 1955, Mr. Appleyard was recognized as the Jaycees Northwest Florida 
Young Man of the Year for his service with a variety of community 
organizations including the University of West Florida, Boy Scouts of 
America, and the YMCA, just to name a few. Continuing his efforts for 
the next 30 years, Mr. Appleyard was honored as the Chamber of 
Commerce-News Journal Pioneer Businessman of the Year in 1986 and 
awarded the Heritage Award of the Pensacola Historical Society in 1988. 
These are simply a few of the overwhelming number of awards and honors 
the Mr. Appleyard has received, a true testament to his dedication and 
commitment to the Pensacola community.
  As well has being firmly entrenched in the activities of the 
Pensacola community, Mr. Appleyard has become one the foremost 
historians on the Pensacola area. He has penned a variety of books, 
both fictional and non-fictional, including classics such as ``The 
Second Great Document'' and ``The Spanish-French Confrontation.'' Mr. 
Appleyard has also written several radio enactment plays and playlets.
  Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, November 14, 2002, John H. Appleyard, along 
with the Pensacola community, will celebrate his 80th birthday. On this 
such occasion, we honor a great historian, businessman, and neighbor; 
one of Pensacola's greatest citizens.

                          ____________________