[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 133 (Friday, October 5, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF THE HONORABLE WARREN BRIGGS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2012

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to recognize the 
life and service of the Honorable Warren Briggs. Mayor Briggs was a 
dedicated public servant and a staple in the community. Northwest 
Florida mourns his passing.
  Mayor Briggs, a Saint Paul, Minnesota native, led a distinguished 
life as a public servant, businessman, educator and soldier. He was a 
graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who 
answered the call of duty and served our nation with honor and 
distinction. Mayor Briggs served as a pilot in the United States Army 
Air Corps during World War II, and later returned to his alma mater to 
serve as an English Instructor at West Point. He served in the United 
States Air Force until 1957, achieving the rank of Major. Following his 
military service, Mayor Briggs settled down in northwest Florida with 
his wife, Gloria, and joined his father-in-law in the Century, Florida 
sawmills at Alger-Sullivan Company.
  It did not take long for Mayor Briggs to become active in Pensacola 
and Escambia County politics. In 1966 he was elected to the Florida 
House of Representatives. Mayor Briggs was widely respected by his 
colleagues in the Florida State Legislature, and was described as a 
gentle politician by his friends. In 1976, he continued his service to 
the northwest Florida community as Mayor of the City of Pensacola until 
1978.
  Mayor Briggs was involved in myriad civic organizations and charities 
such as Hospice of Northwest Florida, University of West Florida 
Foundation, USO Downtown Improvements, Junior Achievement of Pensacola, 
the Navy League of the United States, the Children's Home Society, 
United Cerebral Palsy, the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce, and the 
Pensacola Museum of Art. He was also president of Baptist Health Care 
Foundation. Mayor Briggs' work ethic, humility, and dedication to the 
citizens of northwest Florida did not go unnoticed. He had been honored 
as the Businessman of the Year by the Pensacola News Journal, BIP 
Community Leader of the Year, and Madison Fellow. Mayor Briggs was also 
bestowed with the United Way Distinguished Community Service Award and 
the Baptist Healthcare Foundation Fellowship Award.
  Mayor Briggs had a deep passion and commitment to beautifying the 
City of Pensacola, and he wanted to establish the city as the Crape 
Myrtle Capital of the World. He encouraged community residents to color 
the area by planting crape myrtles in their yards and other public 
spaces. He also worked to highlight the beauty and history of the city 
by developing and restoring Pensacola's historic buildings through his 
company, Thompson-Briggs Developers. He was also the self-appointed 
Pensacola weed inspector, a role that friends and family claim he was 
most passionate about.
  To some, Mayor Briggs will be remembered as a dedicated public 
servant and member of our armed forces. To others, he will be 
remembered as an amiable and caring neighbor always willing to lend a 
hand to improve the city's appearance. To his family, he will most 
fondly be remembered as a loving brother, father, and grandfather. His 
impact on northwest Florida was immense, and his legacy will never be 
forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it gives me 
great pride to honor the life and service of Warren Briggs. My wife 
Vicki joins me in extending our most sincere condolences to his 
daughter, Sandi Briggs; granddaughter, Clancy Bambrick; brother and 
sister-in-law, Edward and Nan Briggs and the entire Briggs family.

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