[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 200 (Friday, December 15, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S18673-S18674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN TOM BEVILL

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, the House of Representatives will be 
losing one of its true giants when Alabama Congressman Tom Bevill 
retires at the end of this Congress. His tremendous leadership, 
particularly in the areas of waterway development, energy policy, and 
medical research will be virtually impossible to replace. I was highly 
disappointed at his decision, for he is a tried and true leader for our 
Nation. His retirement will be a huge loss for the country and for 
Alabama.
  Tom and I attended law school together at the University of Alabama 
and remained close friends over the years. He is the dean of the 
Alabama congressional delegation, having served now for over 30 years. 
Tom Bevill has served longer in the U.S. House of Representatives than 
any other Member of Congress from Alabama. Today, Tom is the House's 
11th most senior Member and one of its most effective legislators.
  He has worked closely on several issues of particular importance to 
our State. He certainly has played an important role in the growth and 
the development of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Because of 
his leadership and efforts, UAB, as it is known, is today home to one 
of the very best medical schools in the Nation and has some of its 
premier health care facilities and is on the vanguard of medical 
research.
  Tom Bevill was chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development of the House Appropriations Committee from 1977 until this 
year when the Republicans took control of that Chamber.
  His leadership extended beyond the confines of his own district. For 
example, Mobile, a port city located some distance from his district in 
north Alabama, has been greatly enhanced by several waterways projects 
resulting from his stewardship.
  Every area in the State of Alabama has benefited from his seniority 
and position in Congress. Some have even called him Alabama's third 
Senator, and, I will say, that the Nation, as a whole, certainly has 
benefited. No one has been in the forefront more pertaining to waterway 
development. And waterway development is extremely important. He has 
had some battles with Presidents relative to waterway development. I 
might say that he came out victorious in these battles.
  He is a native of a small Walker County mining community in Alabama 
by the name of Townley. Tom Bevill has spent part of his childhood 
building small dams. He is a lifelong Democrat, and a fundamental 
reason for his party 

[[Page S18674]]
affiliation is the suffering and the poverty he saw during the Great 
Depression.
  He has said that his philosophy of Government was formed during the 
Depression when he saw his father, a former miner and a storekeeper in 
rural Townley, give food to people who were literally starving. He 
openly admired Franklin Delano Roosevelt and what the New Deal did for 
Alabama and the Tennessee Valley.
  Beginning in 1958, he served two terms in the Alabama State Senate. 
In 1966, he won his seat to the U.S. House and has been there ever 
since.
  From the start, he earned the admiration and the respect of his 
colleagues by not ever allowing policy or political disagreements to 
become personal. He is known for his fairness in all of his dealings. 
He is a gentleman with a courtly manner that often eases tensions and 
invites compromise. He is principled and consistent, a man true to his 
word, his conscience, his constituents and his colleagues.
  Tom Bevill will be sorely missed when the 105th Congress convenes in 
January 1997, but I can certainly understand his decision, having made 
the same one earlier this year.
  I wish him and his wonderful, gracious wife, Lou, all the best as 
they enter a new phase of their lives.

                          ____________________