[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 169 (Monday, November 16, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE PASSING OF W.A. JAKE JERNIGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 16, 2009

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
W.A. ``Jake'' Jernigan, a Northwest Florida leader who passed away on 
October 9, 2009. Jake Jernigan spent his life serving our community and 
our country, and I am proud to honor his lifetime of dedication and 
service.
  Born on October 20, 1919 in Baker, Florida, Jake Jernigan was the 
second child of Walter and Addie Cobb Jernigan. He lived on the Cobb 
family farm until moving to Crestview, Florida to attend grade school. 
In 1937, Jake enrolled at the University of Florida. However, the call 
of duty interrupted his education, and Jake joined the United States 
Army to serve during World War II. After his distinguished military 
service, he returned to the University of Florida where he met the 
future Senator George Smathers, working as a volunteer on Smathers' 
student body president campaign.
  After graduating in 1942 with a degree in education, Jake returned to 
Crestview and taught for a short time at Laurel Hill before founding 
the Jernigan Insurance Agency and the Jernigan Construction Company. In 
1950, he married Claire Covell of DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Jake 
developed the first affordable housing subdivision in Crestview in 1954 
and he also founded the First National Bank of Crestview in 1956, where 
he served as its first chairman for ten years.
  Jake also continued his life of public service as a member of the 
Crestview City Council and as a founder of the Okaloosa County Island 
Authority. In 1950 and again in 1960, he served as his old friend 
George Smathers' Northwest Florida Senate campaign chairman. Later in 
1960, he served as John F. Kennedy's Northwest Florida campaign 
chairman.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am 
privileged to recognize the life of Jake Jernigan. He will always be 
remembered by all of us in Northwest Florida as a true community 
leader. My wife Vicki and I offer our continued prayers for his 
children, Jill, Jan, Jack, Jenny, Tracey, and George, grandchildren, 
great-grandchildren, and entire extended family as we remember and 
honor the life of Jake Jernigan.

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