[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF MAYOR JOHN THOMAS

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                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 28, 2006

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to 
rise today to recognize the retirement of John Thomas from the office 
of mayor of the city of Mary Esther, FL.
  Throughout his entire career, John has been unquestionably devoted to 
serving his country. In 1952, he joined the United States Air Force and 
began a career that would extend over 40 years. Through Air Force bases 
across the Nation and around the world, he was in charge of 
coordinating essential services for our soldiers, especially in the 
area of transportation. As the chief of services for a United States 
Air Force Base in Spain from 1989 to 1994, John aided his country in 
time of war as his base provided support to Operation Desert Storm 24 
hours a day, seven days a week.
  After retiring from the Air Force in 1994, John and his wife returned 
to the United States and decided to take up residence in Mary Esther, a 
city in my district in Northwest Florida. Never tiring, John became 
involved with the City Council within 2 years, and shortly thereafter 
took over a vacated seat on the council. After an unsuccessful run for 
mayor of Mary Esther, John persisted and was elected to the mayor's 
office in 2000.
  For three terms, John Thomas served as the mayor of Mary Esther. He 
dedicated his energy, as he had before, toward making his city the best 
place to live. John is well-known for the efforts he put forth toward 
that goal. From 2003 to 2004, he also served as president of the 
Northwest Florida League of Cities, where he shared his insights with 
others and looked at ways he could better aid and lead the city of Mary 
Esther.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I commend Mayor 
John Thomas for his excellent leadership in Northwest Florida and for 
his selfless service to our Nation. The city of Mary Esther has 
benefited greatly from his service, and I wish him well in his 
retirement.

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