[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16058-16059]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF SHERIFF JIM LOWMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 24, 2011

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I 
rise today to honor the life of retired Escambia County Sheriff Jim 
Lowman. Sheriff Lowman was an esteemed leader in Northwest Florida, and 
I am proud to honor his lifetime of dedication and service.
  Sheriff Lowman was a respected and vital member of the Northwest 
Florida community. He served as dean at Woodham High School in 
Pensacola, Florida, before working as a counselor at the Juvenile 
Center. Although Sheriff Lowman did not have any prior experience 
serving in public office, he possessed a vast deal of first-hand 
knowledge of local law enforcement through his work as a juvenile 
counselor. In 1992, Sheriff Lowman decided to run for Escambia County 
Sherriff, and his highly successful campaign reflected his ability to 
work closely with the citizens of Escambia County to improve the local 
community. He was elected Sheriff and served in that capacity from 
1993-2000.
  When Sheriff Lowman's term began in January 1993, he undertook a 
thorough assessment of the department and concluded that the department 
was understaffed. In order to facilitate the recruitment of new 
deputies, Sheriff Lowman encouraged the Escambia County Board of County 
Commissioners to enroll in the Public Hiring Supply Program. The 
Commission agreed and during Sheriff Lowman's tenure the force was 
increased by nearly 60 percent.
  Under Sheriff Lowman's direction, the Escambia County Sheriff's 
Department also undertook important measures to tackle alcohol and drug 
abuse. They forged a close working relationship with the Community Drug 
and Alcohol Program. Additionally, the Sheriff's Department identified 
key areas of drug trafficking and worked with the managers of these 
properties to develop a security plan. Gatekeepers, often off-duty 
Sheriff's deputies, patrolled the area to ensure that outside drug 
traffickers could not set up distribution points within housing 
developments.
  Sheriff Lowman also oversaw a $2 million expansion of the County 
Jail. This expansion improved county facilities and helped to lessen 
crowding in the jail. Despite overseeing substantial improvements, 
Sheriff Lowman was able to run his department in a fiscally responsible 
manner, and in his final year he returned nearly $900,000 in unused 
funds back to the County.
  While Sheriff Lowman was an invaluable member of the Northwest 
Florida community, and many will remember him for his tireless effort 
combating crime and improving the lives of Escambia County's citizens, 
he was first and foremost a family man. He was a loving and dedicated 
husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Sue, their

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four children--Jamie, Jennifer Sue, Lesley, and Scott--and their 
grandchildren, Gavin and Jay Scott.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am honored to 
recognize the life and service of Sheriff Jim Lowman. A committed 
community leader and loving family man--he will be missed by many, but 
his memory will live on through the timeless legacy he left. My wife 
Vicki joins me in extending our thoughts and prayers to the entire 
Lowman family.

                          ____________________