[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7562]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF GARRETT W. WALTON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 23, 2007

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States 
Congress, it is an honor for me to rise today to recognize the 
significant impact Garrett W. Walton has made on the communities of 
northwest Florida.
  In 1977, Garrett Walton moved to Pensacola, Florida, where his law 
career commenced as an associate and then a principal with the law firm 
of Emmanuel, Sheppard, and Condon. After 17 years, Mr. Walton retired 
from law practice, but he has continued fulfilling his passion for 
serving the community through his widespread involvement.
  Garrett Walton has participated in numerous charitable and civic 
organizations, which include: the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce, 
the Girl Scouts of Northwest Florida, the Sacred Heart Foundation, the 
United Way, and the Homebuilders Association of West Florida. He was a 
founding director/organizer of Northwest Florida Legal Services, Toy 
Soldiers, Sea Plane Foundation and the Armed Services Council for the 
Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce.
  To many Americans, September 16, 2004, is a date that has come and 
gone, but to those in northwest Florida and South Alabama, September 
16, 2004, is a date that will never be forgotten. It was on that day 
that Hurricane Ivan washed up on the shores of Alabama and Florida and 
became the fourth-worst natural disaster in United States history. Not 
being one to sit on the sidelines and watch as others suffered, Mr. 
Walton founded Rebuild Northwest Florida in November 2004. Rebuild 
Northwest Florida, a not-for-profit disaster recovery organization that 
assists need-based hurricane victims, was founded on this man's vision 
and spirit during a time when it was needed most. Because of the 
optimism and efforts of Mr. Walton and the many volunteers of northwest 
Florida, coupled by the support of the entire community, including 
local homebuilders, contractors, and charitable organizations, Rebuild 
Northwest Florida has brought hope to many families whose lives were 
forever changed on that September morning.
  Mr. Walton's local efforts now extend statewide. On February 6, 2007, 
Florida Governor Charlie Crist appointed Garrett Walton as chairman of 
the Windstorm Mitigation Study Committee, a statewide committee whose 
focus is to make recommendations on existing and proposed programs and 
initiatives for mitigating windstorm damage.
  Garrett Walton has proudly served northwest Florida over the past 30 
years through his leadership, optimism and dedication. But he is also a 
dedicated husband, a loving father, a mentor of young professionals, 
and a slightly above average goose hunter. Pensacola is truly honored 
to have him as one of her own.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to 
recognize the achievements of Garrett W. Walton and his exemplary 
service to the communities of northwest Florida.

                          ____________________