[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 114 (Friday, August 2, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1207-E1208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF THE HONORABLE JO BONNER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 2013

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
distinguished service of my good friend and colleague from Alabama, Jo 
Bonner. Both Jo and I are privileged to represent portions of the Gulf 
Coast. Our constituents in Alabama's First Congressional District and 
Florida's First Congressional District share inextricable bonds built 
on family, friendship and faith.
  I have had the opportunity to work closely with Jo over the past 
decade, and I can truly say that he is one of the hardest working 
lawmakers here in Washington. He is also a man of unimpeachable 
character, and his integrity as a public servant was reflected in his 
tenure as Chairman of the House Ethics Committee. Serving as Chairman 
of such an important House committee is a great challenge, but Jo has 
served in some of the most challenging roles here in the House, 
including as a member of the Appropriations Committee and as Assistant 
Whip.
  Despite taking on demanding leadership roles in Congress, Jo has 
never stopped fighting on behalf of his constituents to help lure 
economic development to the Gulf Coast. Jo helped lead the Gulf effort 
to bring the newly opened Airbus A320 assembly plant to Mobile, which 
is the company's first American production facility. The thousands of 
jobs that the Airbus plant has brought to the Gulf Coast come on top of 
other efforts led by Jo to promote the Gulf Coast as a region open for 
business. In 2007, Jo was a crucial figure in the construction of the 
$4.8 billion ThyssenKrupp Steel plant, which brought thousands of jobs 
to the area, and he has also helped already established businesses, 
such as Austal USA, expand and create new jobs. Jo's unwavering efforts 
helped businesses create thousands of jobs for both his constituents 
and mine, and the entire Gulf Coast region will continue to benefit 
from these projects for decades to come.
  Jo has been a leader in the Gulf community in good times, helping to 
promote economic growth and job creation; however, he has also been 
there during devastating disasters such as the recovery from Hurricane 
Ivan in 2005, and, most recently, the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 
2010. Jo worked closely with federal, state, and local authorities to 
coordinate

[[Page E1208]]

the emergency response efforts, while simultaneously working to hold BP 
accountable through the Gulf Coast Claims Facility. Here in Washington, 
Jo and I worked closely with other members from the Gulf states to 
draft and pass the RESTORE Act, which will bring billions of dollars of 
fine money from the oil spill back to the impacted communities for 
economic and ecological restoration. Jo's constant leadership and work 
on behalf of his constituents have left an indelible mark on his 
district, and his tireless work has helped assure a more prosperous 
future for citizens along the Gulf.
  We will all be sad to see Jo leave the House, and I will particularly 
miss his commonsense approach to legislating, but we also know that his 
service to the people of the State of Alabama is far from over. Jo's 
new position as vice chancellor of government relations and economic 
development for the University of Alabama System will allow him to 
continue his distinguished service to the people of Alabama. Although 
as a University of Florida graduate, I think I can speak for the entire 
SEC, when I say that the last thing that the University of Alabama 
needs is more world-class talent. Jo's track record of success here in 
the House will no doubt be an invaluable asset to the University of 
Alabama system and its students.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the whole House I extend my deep gratitude 
to Jo for his years of distinguished service on behalf of his 
constituents and the entire Gulf Coast that we call home. My wife Vicki 
and I wish Jo, his wife Jane, their daughter Lee, and their son Robins 
all the best as they begin this new chapter in their lives.

                          ____________________