Mr. Fontaine Banks
Introduction of Mr. 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