[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 65 (Thursday, May 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF COLONEL GRAHAM W. FOUNTAIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2013

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colonel 
Graham W. Fountain upon his retirement after a highly decorated and 
distinguished twenty-eight-year career in local and state law 
enforcement. Colonel Fountain's dedicated service to protecting and 
serving the people of Florida has been exemplary.
   After graduating from Crestview High School in Crestview, Florida, 
Colonel Fountain attended Troy University, where he received a 
Bachelor's of Science degree in Criminal Justice. After completing his 
studies at Troy University, Colonel Fountain returned to his native 
Okaloosa County to become a Deputy Sheriff in the Okaloosa County 
Sheriff's Office. Colonel Fountain quickly established himself as a 
first-class law enforcement officer, and in 1991 he began his service 
in state law enforcement as a Law Enforcement Investigator with the 
Florida Office of the State Treasurer, where he served as an undercover 
operative, conducted interrogations, provided training to local law 
enforcement agencies, and drafted bill language for the agency to 
present to the Florida Legislature.
   In 1995, Colonel Fountain returned to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's 
office, where he served as Undersheriff. In this important position, 
Colonel Fountain provided unparalleled leadership and administrative 
excellence overseeing over 250 law enforcement officers and support 
personnel.
   Colonel Fountain's excellent record and demonstrated success led 
Florida Governor Jeb Bush to appoint Colonel Fountain as the Director 
of the Florida Department of Transportation's Office of Motor Carrier 
Compliance and Law Enforcement Operations. During his eight-year tenure 
at the department, Colonel Fountain spearheaded efforts to bring 
stakeholders in the trucking industry together with the Florida 
Legislature and Department of Transportation to dramatically improve 
the safety of Florida's highways without compromising the trucking 
industry's ability to transport freight. Colonel Fountain then brought 
his vast knowledge of the transportation sector to help develop 
Florida's ``Pre-Pass'' credentialing system, which has boosted 
efficiency and saved millions of hours of downtime. Colonel Fountain is 
an exceptional law enforcement officer and leader, and his sedulous 
work on behalf of the State of Florida was recognized by the Florida 
Department of Transportation when he was awarded their top honor, the 
``Leader of the Year'' award.
   Colonel Fountain has also used his vast experience in law 
enforcement to help improve local, state, and national efforts in 
homeland security, disaster preparedness, transportation, and law 
enforcement development. He has served in numerous important capacities 
outside of his law enforcement career, including as the Commissioner 
and Chairman of the Florida Commission on Law Enforcement Agency 
Accreditation, President of the State Law Enforcement Chiefs 
Association, Vice-Chair of Florida's Joint Task Force of Law 
Enforcement Communications for the Department of Justice's Homeland 
Security Advisory Council, and as a member of the Florida Seaports 
Security Standards Council. Colonel Fountain continues his outstanding 
service to Florida today as the Commissioner of the Florida Historical 
Commission.
   Outside of his service to Florida, Colonel Fountain is a loving and 
devoted husband to his wife Felicia and a man of great faith. He is an 
active member of First Baptist Church in Crestview, where he serves in 
the church leadership. Colonel Fountain has also served in numerous 
capacities in state, local, and national political campaigns, including 
county chair and member of the National Public Safety Advisory Council 
and as Florida Co-Chair for Public Safety/First Responders.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am 
privileged to recognize Colonel Graham W. Fountain for his twenty-eight 
years of outstanding leadership and service to Florida. My wife Vicki 
and I wish Colonel Fountain and his family all the best.

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