[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 23]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 31352]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF JERRY EUBANKS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 10, 2009

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
Jerry Eubanks upon his retirement from the United States National Park 
Service. Jerry has been a life-long public servant, and I am humbled to 
honor his service and commitment.
  A native of McCool, Mississippi, Jerry joined the National Park 
Service in 1960 after graduating from Mississippi State University with 
a degree in Civil Engineering. Since joining the Park Service, he has 
worked across the country from Missouri to California to Virginia to 
preserve and protect America's national parks. In 1976, Jerry became 
Assistant Superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 
Tennessee and North Carolina. Jerry moved to the Gulf Coast in 1984 to 
serve as Superintendent of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, where he 
has remained ever since.
  As Superintendent of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Jerry has 
worked tirelessly to ensure the protection and viability of our area's 
natural resources and beauty. Over the past 25 years, he has led the 
park through numerous organizational and operational changes, resulting 
in substantial natural, cultural, and recreational program 
improvements. Among his many successes, Jerry helped lead recovery 
efforts during several damaging hurricanes including Hurricane Ivan in 
2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He was able to bring operations 
back online quickly after the storms, ensuring the repair and 
protection of damaged resources and the restoration of major 
infrastructure. For his efforts over the course of his career, Jerry 
has received numerous awards for exemplary service including the 
Department of the Interior Meritorious Service Award in 2000.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am honored 
to recognize Jerry Eubanks for his service to Northwest Florida. He is 
a dedicated community leader who will be sorely missed after his 
retirement. My wife Vicki and I wish all the best for continued success 
to Jerry and his wife Anne, his children, grandchildren, and entire 
extended family.

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