Introduction of Fontaine Banks by Mr. Joe Graviss of
Versailles, KY.
History has proven one of the
most important decisions Governor Combs made was the designation of
Fontaine Banks as his Chief of Staff.
Most of you have known
Fontaine since before I was born, but since he has come into my life, I
have learned a great deal about politics and public service.
We are fortunate indeed to
have him here today. He has kept alive important aspects of Kentucky’s
history not discussed in other works.
Many times it’s these
subtle nuances of history that add texture to the recorded events of
times gone by.
Fontaine also served Governor
Breathitt as Chief of Staff—the only Kentuckian to serve 2
Governors back to back as Chief of Staff—and live to tell about it!
But it was Governor Combs
that instilled within him an intense desire to serve.
In his career in state
government Fontaine has served four Governors in cabinet positions.
In addition to Governor
Combs, Breathitt, Collins, and Jones, he has been an invaluable advisor
to Alben Barkley, Happy Chandler, Wilson Wyatt, Robert Kennedy, Lyndon
Johnson, Carl Perkins, and numerous other state and local officials.
He is still regularly sought
after by Democratic and Republican friends alike both in state and
around the nation.
This native Pike Countian is
also a heavily decorated Marine Colonel, a loving and devoted husband
and father, an active grandfather, and devout Methodist.
So we can feel a little more
complete knowing the extraordinary yet humble life of one of
Kentucky’s most prominent public servants, Governor Combs Chief of
Staff, key political advisor, and close friend Colonel Fontaine Banks is
with us today.
Thanks, Fontaine, for helping
Governor Combs make Kentucky an even better place to call home.
Dedication Speech by Mr. Fontaine Banks
Governor
Fletcher
Judge
Sara Combs
Joe
Bowen
My
Fellow Kentuckians,
Thank you.
It was my honor
and privilege to be Governor Combs Chief of Staff, key political advisor,
and most important to me—friend.
Sometimes I also
played the part of cheerleader, or villain.
Whatever role I
played, it was to serve the people of the Commonwealth and this great man
who only wanted to do good for his beloved Kentucky.
Governor Combs
had complete trust and confidence in my abilities to assist him and he
gave me complete and extraordinary authority to do whatever job he needed
done.
I had complete
trust in his integrity and goodwill for the whole state. We were a great
team and I think back on those years of mutual trust, admiration and
respect with great fondness.
Bert Combs’
desire was to better the quality of life of all Kentuckians. He
succeeded.
Governor Bert
Combs brought Kentucky into the Twenty-first Century. It was Governor
Combs who dreamed of the Mountain Parkway, the Bluegrass Parkway, a merit
system for Commonwealth employees, the best Resort Park System in the
United States, the Floral Clock, the Community College System and many
more programs that helped the citizens of the Commonwealth.
Success can be
defined in these great accomplishments for which he would score well.
It can also be defined in the type of person you are, the character
you exhibit.
Governor
Combs’ success was earned honestly, not at the expense of others or
unjustly. He was a gracious man that cared deeply about others, their well
being and this great land we call Kentucky.
He was such a
success, I call him a hero.
He was a humble
hero who everyday got up and thought about what good can be done today
that would have a positive impact on all Kentuckians and then set about
getting it done working with others on both sides of the aisle to bring
that goodness to everyone.
He is
everyone’s hero from humble beginnings to great accomplishments.
And so we are
here today to dedicate this brilliant statue saluting this great
Kentuckian that brought so much to all of us then, now and well into the
future. And what a fine statue it is.
But I would say
Governor Combs would not
want us to be congratulating him, his family or lovely wife Sara today at
all. He would be gracious and sincerely appreciate the recognition.
But he
wouldn’t be thinking about himself. He would be thinking about Kentucky.
He would be
thinking—“how can we use this to help our fellow Kentuckians to a
brighter tomorrow?”
That’s just
the type of man he was, gracious and unselfish, always wanting to do what
he could to improve the quality of life for our great Commonwealth and her
citizens.
So I say we are
here today to re-dedicate ourselves to the vision, the goodness, humility,
passion, and sincere caring for improving the lives of those around us
like Governor Combs worked everyday to do.
To helping our
fellow Kentuckians feel better, be better and grow.
That is what
Governor Combs would want. That’s what I want. I’m sure that’s what
Sara wants.
And so today his
spirit, his touch, his memory rest peacefully at his and Sara’s beloved
and beautiful Fern Hill.
As I approach
that special Homeplace I feel his presence, and my body and soul are at
ease while I’m there; for I know he is there also just as he embodied
here in this glorious and well deserved statue.
So let’s go
from here renewed in our desire to be that humble hero getting up everyday
not thinking of ourselves, but thinking of doing good for others in these
trying times.
Being a little
more unselfish, a little kinder, a little more patient, understanding, and
forgiving.
And a lot more
in love with Kentucky and what she means to all of us.
Thank you and
God bless.
-April
20, 2007
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