[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 28, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF THE HONORABLE WILLIAM JEREMIAH TOLTON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2009

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
the Honorable William Jeremiah Tolton, Jr., known to his friends as 
``Jere,'' who passed away on Friday, January 23, 2009. Judge Tolton's 
lifetime of service in both the civic and social realm set a precedent 
of excellence in the Northwest Florida area and he will be greatly 
missed.
  Throughout most of his 71 years, Judge Tolton's life was spent 
bettering the civic and social realm. After earning a B.A. and J.D. 
from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, Judge Tolton 
moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida where he began practicing law. The 
succeeding years were marked with frequent promotions as Judge Tolton 
became the attorney for the Okaloosa County Commission and the City 
attorney to the City of Valparaiso, Florida. In 1972, Judge Tolton was 
elected to the Florida House of Representatives where he served for 4 
years before resigning to accept yet another job in public service: 
Circuit Judge for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida.
  When he retired on January 1, 2007, at the age of 69, Judge Tolton's 
30 years on the bench made him the longest-tenured judge in the history 
of Florida's First Judicial Circuit. The 30 years encompassed some of 
the biggest trials in Florida, including the conviction of former 
Florida Senate President W.D. Childers. Additionally, Judge Tolton 
served as President of the Blue Ridge Institute for Juvenile and Family 
Law Judges and was Chairman of the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee.
  Judge Tolton is survived by his wife, the former Shari Deason, as 
well as his children, William Jeremiah Tolton III, Lizabeth Tolton 
Silk, and Timothy Tolton and his grandchild, Liam Silk. My wife Vicki 
and I send our most sincere condolences to the family as they grieve 
the loss of this exceptional father, judge, and civic leader.
  Judge Tolton's longstanding career in public service will benefit the 
Northwest Florida community for many years to come. Madam Speaker, on 
behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to recognize the 
exceptional life of the Honorable William J. Tolton, Jr.

                          ____________________