[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 23 (Thursday, February 6, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE LIFE AND DEDICATED SERVICE OF RODNEY LEE KENDIG

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 6, 2014

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
life and dedicated service of Mr. Rodney Lee ``Rod'' Kendig. Mr. Kendig 
was a committed public servant and a loving and devoted husband, 
father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. All of Northwest Florida 
mourns his passing.
   Rod Kendig was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and graduated from 
Newton High School in Newton, New Jersey. After finishing his high 
school studies, he received a degree from the College of Wooster and a 
graduate degree from the University of Maryland. In 1978, while working 
for the National Association of Counties in Washington, D.C., Mr. 
Kendig was hired as Escambia County Administrator, and he moved with 
his family to Pensacola, Florida.
   After several successful years as Escambia County Administrator, Mr. 
Kendig continued his public service to the Northwest Florida community 
as City Manager for the City of Pensacola. The position of Pensacola 
City Manager was a particularly important position that helped set the 
agenda for the Pensacola City Council. During his nine years on the 
job, he oversaw a number of important local projects, including: the 
construction of a new airport terminal and control tower at Pensacola 
Airport, a large expansion of Pensacola's city limits, construction of 
the Vickery Community Center, and acquisition of the T.T. Wentworth Jr. 
Florida State Museum, amongst many other accomplishments. Mr. Kendig 
continued his success in the private sector, joining the local firm 
Baskerville-Donovan, where he was instrumental in facilitating plans to 
move the city's wastewater treatment plant out of downtown Pensacola.
   Mr. Kendig was also committed to serving the community away from the 
job. Along with his wife Paula, he volunteered with the Children's Home 
Society, and they served as a foster family for dozens of local 
children. The Kendigs fell in love and adopted one of the foster babies 
with special needs. Mr. Kendig became a community leader and advocate 
for children's health and education issues, serving on the Arc Gateway 
Board of Directors, the State Partnership for School Readiness, and the 
Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County. Mr. Kendig was also an 
avid reader and supporter of literacy and local libraries, and he was 
elected to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the West 
Florida Public Library System.
   Mr. Speaker, Rod Kendig was an exceptional public servant, loving 
family man, and a great community leader. His impact on Northwest 
Florida will never be forgotten. My wife Vicki and I send our prayers 
and deepest condolences to his wife, Paula; mother, Jane; children, 
Kathy, Andrea, Adam, Christy, Chelsey, and Jacob; grandchildren; 
Jennifer, Melissa, Billy, Nina, Paul and AJ; great grandson, Grady; 
sister, Brenda; and the entire Kendig family.

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