[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 24 (Tuesday, March 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     TRIBUTE TO SHERIFF TOM PURVIS

                                 ______


                          HON. SONNY CALLAHAN

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 8, 1994

  Mr. CALLAHAN. Mr. Speaker, there's no telling how many millions of 
Americans have been reared watching the Andy Griffith Show, in which 
Sheriff Andy Taylor and his sidekick, Deputy Barney Fife, keep the 
peace in the tiny, fictional town of Mayberry, NC.
  The show depicted a simpler time, when family values were learned and 
respected, and not just talked about; a time when respect for society's 
laws was as deep-rooted as the love for our country.
  Mr. Speaker, in many ways, we in Mobile, AL, have our own version of 
Sheriff Taylor. A man who for nearly 20 years has been a dedicated, 
faithful public servant, who truly epitomizes the real meaning of those 
words.
  No, Tom Purvis can't get by these days with a single squad car or a 
deputy who keeps his lone bullet in his shirt pocket. Times haven't 
been that simple in a long, long time.
  But what Tom Purvis has done, quite successfully I might add, is to 
serve as sheriff during a period in which employment within the 
department has risen, inmate capacity has increased, and lawsuits 
against the sheriff's department have dramatically decreased. And while 
crime has been on the rise all across the Nation during the past 20 
years, and Mobile County is certainly no exception, Sheriff Purvis has 
worked tirelessly to bring together a team of trained professionals 
dedicated to making certain that the people of my home are as well 
protected as any in America.
  This, Mr. Speaker, has occurred because Sheriff Tom Purvis has 
managed to be a protector, as well as a friend to the citizens of 
Mobile County, AL.
  His leadership in law enforcement has been recognized across the 
State of Alabama. He has served an unprecedented two consecutive terms 
as president of the Alabama Sheriff's Association, as well as serving 
as president of the Alabama Peace Officers Association, and he is a 
member of the International Association of Police Chiefs, Fraternal 
Order of Police, National Sheriff's Association and Governor's Task 
Force on Drunk Driving.
  The list of honors and accolades that comes Tom's way is simply too 
long to recite for the purposes of this recognition. However, no award 
or citation is as important to Tom Purvis as is his commitment to our 
young people.
  He established the Junior Deputy Program in our local schools in an 
attempt to help our children better understand the role of law-
enforcement officials, and he has strengthened the department's youth 
aid division, as well as many other areas. For all of his time and 
energy given to the young people of Mobile County, he received the 
Silver Beaver Award, the highest award given to a non-Scout by the Boy 
Scouts of America.
  Mr. Speaker, it's easy to look around and find things which are 
negative and depressing. Those are usually the stories which make the 
front page of the daily paper or the lead story on the nightly news. 
And to be certain, there are a lot of dark clouds out on the horizon.
  But every now and then, we also need to take pause and look at the 
silver lining in those clouds. The man Teddy Roosevelt referred to

       who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust 
     and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and 
     comes up short again and again, because there is no effort 
     without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive 
     to do the deeds ***.

  All too often, we in this country look to find fault and place blame. 
It is a rare case when we take the opportunity to acknowledge the years 
of public service exhibited by our officials. Accordingly, I take great 
pleasure in recognizing an outstanding man, Sheriff Tom Purvis, for his 
many years of selfless service to the citizens of Mobile, Alabama, and 
I publicly thank him for being our man in the arena.

                          ____________________