[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20116]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING NORTHWEST FLORIDA'S BUCK LEE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 
    RETIREMENT AS THE SANTA ROSA ISLAND AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 11, 2015

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Buck Lee 
for his dedicated service to the Gulf Coast community on the occasion 
of his retirement as the Santa Rosa Island Authority Executive 
Director.
  A native Northwest Floridian, Buck was born in Pensacola on December 
24, 1947 to Jack and LaVonne Lee. Growing up along the Gulf Coast, he 
attended Warrington Elementary and Junior High Schools, Escambia High 
School, and Pensacola Junior College. A life-long Ole Miss fan, he 
attended the University of Mississippi, where he was a proud member of 
Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Following his studies, Buck served in the 
United States Army until 1974, when he returned to Northwest Florida to 
start a career as a businessman and public servant.
  Buck's successful business career included ownership of a car 
dealership, Jack Lee Buick, and the creation of a government consulting 
firm. In addition, Buck was also elected to serve the people of 
Northwest Florida as a County Commissioner in both Escambia and Santa 
Rosa Counties.
  In 2005, Buck was selected as Executive Director of the Santa Rosa 
Island Authority. In this capacity, he is responsible for implementing 
plans and programs established by the Santa Rosa Island Authority Board 
and administering the daily operations of the Santa Rosa Island 
Authority, which includes a staff of 35 permanent employees and 
approximately 40 seasonal employees on Pensacola Beach.
  Buck's tenure as Executive Director of the Santa Rosa Island 
Authority has coincided with several pivotal moments in Northwest 
Florida history. He was appointed in the wake of Hurricane Ivan, one of 
the costliest storms in American history and was also Executive 
Director during Hurricane Dennis. Buck worked diligently to restore the 
beach, but in 2010, the community was hit hard again following the 
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. In 2012, however, Pensacola Beach had the 
best year ever for retail sales, and with the Santa Rosa Island 
Authority Board approval, Buck implemented ``Bands on the Beach,'' an 
event that attracts thousands of individuals. Buck also oversees the 
Pensacola Beach Blue Angels Airshow and is active in various civic and 
community organizations. His excellent service has not gone unnoticed, 
and he has received numerous awards, including the 2011 Communicator of 
the Year award by the Florida Public Relations Association.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful community, I am pleased to 
congratulate Mr. Buck Lee on his well-earned retirement. My wife Vicki 
and I wish him all the best for continued success.

                          ____________________