[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10889]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA'S BELOVED JAMES 
                          ``J.E.'' BLANKENSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, July 9, 2012

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
life and service of Northwest Florida's beloved James ``J.E.'' 
Blankenship. Mr. Blankenship served the Northwest Florida community for 
more than 40 years in the Holley-Navarre Fire District. In addition to 
his service to the community, Mr. Blankenship was also a loving and 
dedicated husband, father and grandfather; he is survived by his wife, 
Kathey (Taffy), his sons, Jeremy and Jody (Carisa), and his 
grandchildren, Dakota, Haleigh, Morgan and Caden.
  Mr. Blankenship was born in Troy, Alabama on July 17, 1949. In 1963, 
he became one of the original members of the Holley-Navarre Fire 
District volunteer force, while working at the manufacturing company 
Solutia, where he retired from in 2005 to start his own small business. 
Mr. Blankenship continued to serve the people of Holley-Navarre as the 
Fire District transitioned from a volunteer to a professional force, 
and he did not take his duties to protect the community lightly. J.E. 
was an inspiration to his fellow firefighters, and he worked tirelessly 
to ensure that the Holley-Navarre Fire District had the necessary 
training and tools to serve the community. Through his tireless work on 
behalf of the Holley-Navarre community, Mr. Blankenship rose to become 
Assistant Fire Chief, and in 2003 he became a Fire Commissioner. His 
position as a Fire Commissioner ensured that Mr. Blankenship was able 
to continue his work serving the community by overseeing the budget and 
operations of the department.
  To some, J.E. Blankenship will be remembered as a man of conviction 
and a steadfast advocate for fire safety in his community. To others, 
he will be remembered as an inspirational leader who fought to ensure 
that the fire department was equipped to meet its mission. To his 
friends and family, he will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving 
father and proud grandfather. His immense contributions to the 
Northwest Florida community will not be forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress it is an honor 
to recognize the life of J.E. Blankenship and his living legacy. My 
wife Vicki and I offer our sincere condolences to the entire 
Blankenship family.

                          ____________________