[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14962]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF STEPHEN TOWNLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2007

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of 
Florida's finest, Mr. Stephen Townley, upon his retirement from the 
public service system. May 9, 2007 marked Townley's 30th year of duty 
under the United States Judicial Branch.
  After graduation from the University of South Carolina in 1973, 
Townley began his career as a probation officer in Milton, Florida. 
Advancing rapidly, Townley was appointed a United States Probation 
Officer in 1977 then was promoted 8 years later to United States 
Probation Officer in the Northern District of Florida.
  At the request of District Judge William Wilkins, the first Chairman 
of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, Townley aided the development of the 
U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. In this position, Townley worked to guide 
fair criminal sentencing, ensuring just punishment and the safety of 
his community. Later, Townley served on the Probation Officers Advisory 
Group to the U.S. Sentencing Commission.
  In 1990, Townley was named Supervising U.S. Probation Officer and was 
promoted 2 years later becoming the Northern District's first Deputy 
Chief Probation Officer. During his last 8 years of service, Townley 
held the position of Chief Probation Officer of the Northern District 
of Florida. To his community, he embodies the epitome of loyalty, as he 
strove daily to keep danger away from the public.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to offer my sincere and heartfelt 
congratulations to Mr. Stephen Townley on his 30th anniversary in 
serving the public. For the past 30 years, he has dedicated himself 
towards helping the residents of Northwest Florida and for that we will 
be forever grateful. I wish him the best in his retirement.

                          ____________________