[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 29, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4776-S4777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTENDED RETIREMENT

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President and Members of the Senate, all Members in 
the Senate are faced with making difficult decisions almost daily. This 
day marks one of the most difficult decisions I have been faced with 
during my 16-plus years in this body. After wrestling with this 
decision for some time, I have decided not to seek reelection in 1996, 
and to retire from elective office at the end of my term. Simply put, 
the time to pass the torch to another generation is near.
  I have undergone a series of medical examinations by specialists in 
recent months. While I have problems, nevertheless, my health is good, 
and I am assured I face no predictable crisis. I continue to work as I 
have throughout my adult life. While in Washington, I spend 6\1/2\ days 
a week in the office; and while in Alabama, a similar amount of time is 
devoted to Senate duties. My health problems have not slowed me down, 
and I do not expect any change in my work habits in the foreseeable 
future.
  This has not been an easy decision because I have always enjoyed 
campaigning, and the desire to once again hit the campaign trail is a 
powerful urging. I have been particularly gratified with the 
overwhelming offer of volunteered support from Democrats, Republicans, 
and independents alike urging me to run again. I believe I can be 
reelected, perhaps not with the high percentage of more than 60 percent 
of the vote that I have received in my last four primary and four 
general statewide elections, but I am confident I could win by a good 
majority.
  There are numerous factors that have entered into my decision. There 
is no compelling reason to go into detail about these factors, other 
than to say that in fairness to any who may seek to succeed me the time 
to make my announcement is now.
  At the conclusion of my term, I will have served the people of 
Alabama for 24 years, and I hope that I will be looked upon as a public 
servant who has served with dignity, integrity, and diligence, worthy 
of the confidence and trust that the people of Alabama bestow upon me.
  Throughout my years in the Senate, I have endeavored to stay in touch 
with the people. I have visited each of the 67 counties in Alabama at 
least once a year, except for one year when I spent considerable time 
in the hospital during the recess periods. I have listened to 
Alabamians from all walks of life on every conceivable issue in over 
1,000 town meetings and 500 high school visits.
  I have endeavored to represent Alabama in a studied, impartial, and 
fairminded manner. My record certainly indicates at least an 
independent streak. I hope Alabamians know that my decisions were based 
on what I thought was in the best interest of my State and Nation. 
While some may argue or disagree with my decisions, I was convinced 
that I was right. And I believe most Alabamians felt that nothing more 
could be expected of me.
  My service in the U.S. Senate has been rewarding, and I trust of 
benefit to the people of America and Alabama. I am indeed grateful that 
America faces no immediate threat to her borders from foreign military 
powers. I am particularly proud of the role that I played in rebuilding 
our Armed Forces and military strength during the aftermath of the 
Vietnam war. This commitment on the part of our Nation contributed to 
the collapse of the old Soviet Union and its Communist philosophy. This 
commitment proved itself again during the Persian Gulf war. With my own 
experiences in World War II and observations since that time, I felt 
compelled that we must at all times endeavor to obtain lasting peace, 
and that the only road to achieving this goal was and is through 
strength.
  I am particularly proud of my efforts in other areas, such as 
agriculture, the judiciary, education, improved race relations, 
technology advancements, medical research, family values, the war 
against crime and drugs, the space program, ethics in government, and 
many other fields.
  The agriculture community, while small in number, is considerably 
better off today than when I came to the Senate in 1979. During my 
years on the Agriculture Committee, we have been able to craft farm 
policy which provides market stability and allows U.S. farmers to 
aggressively pursue international markets. At the same time, these farm 
programs have dramatically reduced the cost to the U.S. Treasury. This 
year may prove to be the most crucial for the American farmers with the 
well-organized effort in this Congress to abolish farm programs that 
have worked well for the consumer as well as the farmer.
  As most of my colleagues know, I came to this body after serving as 
Chief Justice of Alabama. I brought to the Senate a desire to achieve 
much 
[[Page S4777]] modernization and reform in our Federal courts. My 
efforts have been focused on improving the Federal judicial system and 
relieving court congestion in criminal and civil matters. I have always 
subscribed to the expression, ``Justice delayed is justice denied.'' We 
have been successful to a major degree in our efforts to achieve these 
goals. However, much remains to be done. This country's system of 
justice today faces one of its greatest threats in the Congress. The 
foundation of our civil justice system and more than 500 years of the 
development of common law are under attack, including the right of 
trial by jury. We will continue the battles to improve the 
administration of justice, as well as maintain its historic role of 
protecting the weak, the minorities, and the defenseless.
  Mr. President, for 13 years I served on the Senate Ethics Committee--
two periods as chairman. My service on the Ethics Committee can be 
described with many adjectives, none of which include enjoyable. From 
the description ``of how it used to be,'' I would have to say that I am 
convinced that the Senate has made great strides in ethical behavior 
and standards during my time in this body. While there is still room 
for much improvement, I am, nevertheless, convinced that the Senators 
now serving are the most ethical in the history of the Senate.
  During the last several decades, including the time that I have spent 
in the Senate, there has been much improvement in civil rights. 
However, race relations continue as a divisive issue in numerous ways. 
The path toward the achievement of equal opportunity for all persons, 
regardless of race, color gender, or creed, has many miles to go. We 
foster democratic principles throughout the world and have seen 
democracy make great strides in many nondemocratic countries. Yet our 
own democracy faces its greatest threat from within. Elected officials, 
media personalities, elements of political parties, and other 
organizations strive to pit one group of Americans against another. We 
must set a new course in this Congress and across the land--a course of 
moderation, tolerance, responsibility, and compassion. We need to 
return to the traditional value of being just plain neighborly. Not 
until we become genuinely ``one Nation under God, indivisible, with 
liberty and justice for all,'' can this country realize its potential 
for true greatness.
  I am proud of my staff. I have always been proud of my staff. Most of 
them have come from Alabama but, regardless, all have worked with 
devotion, dedication, and professionalism. They have worked with me to 
assist thousands of Alabamians--and I might say thousands of Americans 
outside of Alabama--in every imaginable area. Staff members seldom 
receive praise, but I thank them from the bottom of my heart for the 
great job that they have done and the job that I know they will 
continue to do during the remaining months of my service in the Senate.
  No one knows what the future will be, but I plan to return to my 
beloved Alabama and devote more of my time to the people in my life 
that I treasure the most--my devoted and lovely wife Elizabeth Ann, who 
is affectionately also know as ``Mike''--my son Tom and his wonderful, 
talented, and beautiful wife Cornelia--and, Mr. President, the two 
finest grandchildren a person could be blessed with, Wilson Carmichael 
Heflin and Mary Catherine Heflin. Wilson is known to his ``Pop'' as 
``Wil,'' and he calls his sister ``K.K.'' because he says Mary 
Catherine is too much of a mouthful. I do not wish to omit from the 
treasured list my other friends and relatives in Alabama, particularly 
those in the Shoals area.
  I will enjoy living the remainder of my days in my hometown, for 
Tuscumbia, AL, is a wonderful little town to be from and it is the best 
little town in America to go home to.
  Mr. President, while my career and work here in the Senate is yet to 
be completed for I still have much to do, I, nevertheless, thank the 
people of Alabama ``who I so dearly love'' for the faith and trust 
bestowed upon me which allowed me to serve as Chief Justice of Alabama 
for 6 years and as a U.S. Senator for three terms. I also thank my 
Creator for the blessing of health during my three score and thirteen 
years thus far, and for having the opportunity to serve this great 
Nation and my fellow citizens.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
  Several Senators addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Frist). The Senator from Louisiana.

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