[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19247]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE HONORABLE G.J. ROARK III UPON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 23, 2009

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Honorable G.J. Roark III, a community leader who is retiring after over 
twenty years as an Escambia County, Florida judge. Judge Roark spent 
his career serving Northwest Florida and our country, and I am proud to 
honor his dedication and service.
  After graduating from the University of Mississippi in 1969, Judge 
Roark joined the U.S. Navy as an intelligence officer. He remained on 
active duty until 1973 and then went on to earn his law degree from the 
University of Florida in 1976. Judge Roark returned to the Navy as a 
reservist in 1978 while maintaining his full-time career as an 
attorney. In 1988, he was appointed County Judge for Escambia, where he 
has served since. As County Judge, he has served as the Emergency 
Coordinating Officer and Chair of the Court Emergency Management Group. 
He was also the Founder and Chair of the Escambia County Court Security 
Committee and served on the Escambia County Law Library Board.
  In addition to his judicial duties, Judge Roark continued his service 
in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He has operated as a counter-intelligence 
officer across the world, traveling to Panama, Italy, Bahrain, and 
Iceland in defense of the U.S. From 1986 through 1995 he was a Naval 
Criminal Investigative Service Agent. Judge Roark's accomplishments as 
a reserve officer led to his selection as Commanding Officer of NCIS 
Unit 2182 in New Orleans and NCIS Unit 2010 in Pensacola. He is also 
the former Commanding Officer of the Defense Intelligence Agency 
Headquarters Unit 1482 in New Orleans. In 1999, Judge Roark's command 
was named Unit of the Year for Reserve Intelligence Area 3.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am 
privileged to recognize G.J. Roark for his lifetime of service to 
Northwest Florida and to the United States. The Florida judicial system 
will miss this admirable and principled Northwest Florida leader. My 
wife Vicki and I wish all the best for him and his family they embark 
on this next journey in their lives.

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