[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2917]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE EXEMPLARY SERVICE OF MR. FONTAINE BANKS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BEN CHANDLER

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 9, 2010

  Mr. CHANDLER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise 
before you today to honor the military and public service of a true 
legend in Kentucky, Mr. Fontaine Banks. Throughout his many decades of 
service, Mr. Banks has made countless contributions to the Commonwealth 
of Kentucky and to our nation.
  Mr. Banks showed his desire to serve the public at an early age, 
starting out as president of the Student Government Association at 
Belfry High School, and later, serving as the president of the Student 
Council at Berea College.
  But Mr. Banks' sense of service extended far beyond his education. 
Two weeks after graduating from college, Mr. Banks volunteered for the 
Marine Corps and reported to Parris Island. After basic training, he 
was deployed to Cho-do Island to fight in the Korean War, where he 
served two tours of duty in the fall of 1952 and the spring of 1953. He 
fought courageously with his fellow men and sustained injury while on 
the battlefield.
  After his tour ended, Mr. Banks returned home to Kentucky and 
transitioned to the Marine Corps Reserve where he reached the rank of 
Colonel. He then began his civilian career with IBM and the Kentucky 
Department of Education, where he quickly moved up in state government. 
Mr. Banks eventually served as chief of staff to Governors Bert Combs 
and Ned Breathitt. To this day, he is the only person ever to serve as 
chief of staff to two Kentucky governors.
  Madam Speaker, Mr. Banks has served his country in so many ways: in 
combat in Korea, as a Marine Colonel, as a public servant, and as a 
loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is a fine example of a man 
dedicating his life to making the lives of those around him better. Mr. 
Banks has made a career of exemplary service, both to his state and 
country, and it is with great pride that we thank him for his service 
today.

                          ____________________