[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 15 (Tuesday, February 22, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       TRIBUTE TO SAM EARLE HOBBS

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, Sam Earle Hobbs, a long-time Selma, AL 
attorney, judge, banker, and civic and professional leader passed away 
on January 4. His contributions to the University of Alabama as a 
teacher, trustee, and chancellor were recognized with much praise. He 
was an outstanding citizen who served his city, State, and country in 
many prominent positions over the last 50 years.
  Sam Earle Hobbs earned his bachelor's degree at the University of 
North Carolina; master's at George Washington University; law degree 
from the University of Alabama; and LLM from Yale University. He was 
awarded a doctor laws by the University of Alabama in 1987. Following 4 
years as a special agent with the FBI, Sam resigned to serve during 
World War II as an officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve, seeing duty in 
the Pacific theater. he began practicing law in Selma in 1952, served 
as Dallas County Court Judge, as president of the Selma-Dallas County 
Bar Association, and held various offices with the Alabama State Bar 
Association.
  Sam also gave freely of his time to other causes outside his 
profession. He served as a member and chairman of the Selma City School 
Board, was president of the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and 
the YMCA Board. He was a charter member of the board of directors and 
chairman of the board of the Citizens Bank and Trust Co. and served in 
those same positions with the SouthTrust Bank of Selma. He was also 
active in running the New Vaughan Memorial Hospital and in his beloved 
Episcopal Church.
  Thirty years ago, Sam was named to the board of trustees of the 
University of Alabama, serving there for 23 years. From 1981 to 1984, 
he completed a term as chairman of the board. In 1989, he was called 
upon to serve for a time as interim chancellor of the university 
system.
  He was a man for all seasons at the university. He commanded the 
respect of the faculty, students, administration, alumni, and his 
fellow trustees. His keen intellect, quite, calm, and reasoned counsel 
helped successfully guide the university system during a period of 
explosive and troubling times.
  Progressive service to education, the law, the State, and Nation has 
been a hallmark of the Hobbs family. Sam's father, Judge Samuel Francis 
Hobbs, is remembered as one of Alabama's finest Congressmen. His 
brother, Judge Truman Hobbs, has contributed to his family's tradition 
of progressive service as an outstanding lawyer in Montgomery, as 
president of the Alabama State bar, and as a U.S. district judge. Sam's 
son, Ralph N. Hobbs, has earned a reputation as one of Alabama's finest 
attorneys.
  As an editorial appearing in the Selma Times-Journal just after his 
death said so eloquently:

       ``If service to one's community is a measure of a man's 
     worth, then the loss of Sam Earle Hobbs has depleted Selma's 
     civic coffers in a fashion which would bankrupt benevolence 
     in most small towns. Mr. Hobbs will be sorely missed, but he 
     will continue to serve as a role model for Selmians who 
     witnessed his extraordinary love for this town.

  These words are a most fitting tribute to who Sam Earle Hobbs was and 
the way he lived his life, and a testament to the tremendous amount of 
respect and affection afforded him while he lived. I ask unanimous 
consent that this editorial be printed in the Record in its entirety 
immediately following my remarks.

              [From the Selma Times-Journal, Jan. 5, 1994]

           City Will Seldom See Citizen Like Sam Earle Hobbs

       If service to one's community is a measure of a man's 
     worth, then the loss of Sam Earle Hobbs has depleted Selma's 
     civic coffers in a fashion which would bankrupt benevolence 
     in most small towns.
       Mr. Hobbs was born in Selma and died here Tuesday, leaving 
     behind a legacy few future citizens will be able to approach 
     in such a short 76 years.
       Educated in Selma public schools, he went on to recieve 
     degrees from America's most prestigious institutions of 
     higher learning. Perhaps his highest honor came in 1989 when 
     he was named Interim Chancellor of the University of Alabama 
     System, in part based on the admiration he received during 23 
     years on the University of Alabama Board of Trustses.
       Mr. Hobbs served his nation as an FBI agent before fighting 
     in World War II. He returned home to open a law practice 
     which saw him serve as a Dallas County judge, president of 
     the local bar association, state bar officer and president of 
     the UA Law School Alumni Association.
       But Mr. Hobbs greatest contributions were to his community, 
     which he served as chairman of the school board, president of 
     the Chamber of Commerce, president of the YMCA board, 
     chairman of the Citizens Bank board, chairman of the board of 
     Vaughan Memorial Hospital and Vestrymen of his beloved St. 
     Paul's Episcopal Church.
       Mr. Hobbs will be sorely missed, but he will continue to 
     serve as a role model of Selmians who witnessed his 
     extraordinary love for this town.

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