[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 23 (Monday, March 7, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                RESOLUTION HONORING WILLIS VINCENT BELL

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, Mr. Willis Vincent Bell, a valued long-
time employee of Alabama's Legislative Reference Service, passed away 
on December 28, 1993. Mr. Bell was probably the leading authority on 
the Code of Alabama 1975, having been the reporter on the initial 
compilation and the person responsible for the annual codification of 
the acts of the State legislature since that time. Willis was a 
classmate of mine at the University of Alabama School of Law.
  On January 24, the Alabama legislature adopted a resolution mourning 
Willis Bell's death. I ask unanimous consent that a copy of that most-
deserved and fitting tribute be printed at this point in the Record.
  There being no objection, the resolution was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                       House Joint Resolution 19

       Whereas, it is in profound, personal sorrow that the 
     Legislature of Alabama records the death of Willis Vincent 
     Bell of Montgomery, Alabama, on December 28, 1993, at the age 
     of 74 years; and
       Whereas, a Montgomery County native, Willis Bell was a 
     distinguished United States Navy veteran of World War II, and 
     a 1949 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law 
     where he was a member of Farrah Law Society, ODK, and Order 
     of Jurisprudence, and was Comment Editor of the Alabama Law 
     Review; and
       Whereas, Mr. Bell, after receiving his Juris Doctor degree 
     from the University, was engaged in the private practice of 
     Law in Montgomery from 1949 until 1953 and, in a continuation 
     of his accomplished legal career, was an attorney with the 
     Alabama Power Company in Birmingham for twenty years, before 
     returning to Montgomery to join the legal staff of the 
     Legislative Reference Service; and
       Whereas, it was in this capacity, and for his many 
     contributions to the Legislative process, that we came to 
     know Willis Bell as a valued friend; to greatly appreciate 
     his legal astuteness; and to rely greatly upon his advice and 
     counsel as an acknowledged authority on the Code of Alabama; 
     and
       Whereas, shortly after joining the Legislative Reference 
     Service staff, Mr. Bell was designated Reporter to the Code 
     Revision Subcommittee, which had been appointed by the 
     Legislative Council to supervise the editing of the State's 
     new Code of Laws, and it was in this highly responsible 
     position that he still served at the time of his lamentable 
     death; and
       Whereas, Mr. Bell, a senior analyst with the Legislative 
     Reference Service, also served as the agency's Revisor of 
     Statutes, working closely with the editor and publisher of 
     the Code to provide for a cumulative supplement, and any 
     replacement volumes, after each Legislative session; 
     additionally, he drafted the legislation necessary to codify 
     the laws contained in each supplement, as well as 
     legislation, as requested, in order to prepare the bill for 
     submission to the Legislature; and
       Whereas, the death of Willis V. Bell has indeed left an 
     unfathomable void in the life of the community, and in the 
     heart of his beloved wife of 40 years. Bertha R. Bell, with 
     whom he reared four fine children in the nurture and 
     admonition of the Lord, and as faithful members of the Vaughn 
     Park Church of Christ, now therefore
       Be it resolved by the legislature of Alabama, both houses 
     thereof concurring, That we are deeply saddened by the death 
     of Willis Vincent Bell of Montgomery, Alabama, and extend our 
     most heartfelt sympathy to his wife and their daughter, Mary 
     Jane Bell Slaughter; sons, Willis V. Bell, III, James R. 
     Bell, and Robert I. Bell; five grandsons; and other family 
     members, with whom we share a grievous burden, and for whom 
     copies of this resolution shall be provided.

                          ____________________