[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S10323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO HOWELL HEFLIN: MY FRIEND, THE ``JUDGE''

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, today I would like to pay tribute to 
Senator Howell Heflin, a dear friend and colleague who is retiring from 
the Senate this year. Senator Heflin and I are classmates, having been 
elected to the Senate at the same time. During the past 18 years, I 
have had the opportunity to watch my friend from Alabama establish 
himself as a distinguished leader and statesman. As a U.S. Senator and 
Alabama Supreme Court Justice, he has served his country and his State 
well. Alabamians should be proud of their country judge.
  Howell Heflin continues a family tradition of public service. As the 
nephew of U.S. Senator Thomas Heflin, Senator Heflin brought to the 
Senate a bloodline of conviction to America's foundation and potential. 
His character and background as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme 
Court have shone brightly during his chairmanship of the Ethics 
Committee and during his service on the Senate Judiciary Committee. As 
a champion of ethics and an independent thinker, it is no wonder 
Senator Heflin still is referred to as the judge by his fellow 
Senators.
  Mr. President, as a farm State Senator, I salute Howell Heflin's 
commitment to Alabama agriculture. As chairman of the Senate Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation Committee, I commend him for his work on 
rural electrification. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, 
Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, he has fought for the interests of 
Alabama's cotton, peanut, and soybean industries. He also has strived 
for Federal crop insurance and flood relief for Alabama farmers. 
Alabama farmers and farm families surely will miss his undying 
dedication to their industry.

  Mr. President, one of the toughest jobs for members of Congress 
occurs when we have to vote on legislation that has sparked strong 
division within our constituencies. As an infamous storyteller, Senator 
Heflin often relays metaphors that shed light on the difficulty of this 
predicament. For example, Howell Heflin once told us a story about a 
hunter who is caught in a treetop and is being chased by a bobcat. The 
hunter yells to his friend, ``Hurry up and shoot it!'' Unsure of his 
aim, his comrade yells back, ``I'm not sure I can hit him. I might hit 
you!'' In return, the trapped hunter yells, ``Shoot anyway. I need some 
relief!''
  Another account of Howell Heflin's lightheartedness was a speech he 
delivered during a Senate floor discussion regarding the status of the 
rose as the official national flower. As the Senate deliberated whether 
or not to designate the rose as America's flower, Senator Heflin took 
to the floor with a poem. He remarked that, ``Roses are red, violets 
are blue, why must I choose between the two?'' Remarks such as this 
have provided the members of this body--and his Alabama constituents--
with many moments of fond repose over the past 18 years. Senator 
Heflin's sense of humor will be missed dearly.
  So soon we will bid farewell to our dear friend from Alabama--Howell 
Heflin. My wife, Harriet and I wish Senator Heflin and his lovely wife, 
Elizabeth Ann, the very best. They are a wonderful couple, and we will 
miss them very much. As the 104th Congress draws to a close, they can 
look forward to being able to return to their home State of Alabama and 
enjoy one of their favorite pastimes: spending time with their 
grandchildren. Mr. President, I again would like to wish Senator Heflin 
godspeed as he leaves the U.S. Senate. He leaves in his wake a career, 
character, and reputation marked by excellence.

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