[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11266]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO SENATOR HOWELL HEFLIN

  Mr. EXON. Mr. President, I rise to salute the service of Senator 
Howell Heflin and give the Senator and his family best wishes.
  Senator Heflin and I came to the 
U.S. Senate together and we will be leaving this grand institution 
together. Over the years I have not only developed a tremendous working 
relationship with the senior Senator from Alabama but also a deep and 
lasting friendship. Mike and Howell Heflin have been among the closest 
friends and associates of the Exons.
  Over the years, I think that there are few Senators with whom I vote 
with more frequently than with Senator Howell Heflin. I value his 
opinion and respect his views. He is not only a mainstream Democrat, he 
is a mainstream American.
  Few Members realize that Howell Heflin is a bona fide war hero. If I 
may Mr. President, I would like to share a little story about the 
Senator from Alabama. A few years ago I had an opportunity to lead a 
delegation to the Pacific rim. Howell Heflin was a member of our group. 
We had scheduled a stop in Guam for refueling en route to Manila. When 
we arrived, I was informed that there would be a brief unscheduled 
ceremony for Howell Heflin.
  It was anything but a brief ceremony. It was obviously one of the 
most important ceremonies that the Island of Guam has had, I suppose, 
since the American forces drove out the Japanese from that island 
during the war in the Pacific. There was a large entourage of cars. I 
could not imagine what was going on. Finally, I began to get the feel 
of things. They wanted to take us out to the beach where the American 
Marines landed when the United States of America started taking back 
that very important and strategic island.
  We went out to the beach, and we saw where they landed. This 
beautiful beach was once a bloody battlefield. During the war the 
Marines had great difficulty in landing. The coral reefs reeked havoc 
on the landing crafts and on the men.
  Our delegation went to the museum out on the beach. We were greeted 
by the mayor, the Governor and there was a small Navy band playing. In 
addition, there was a small tent with a number of people from the 
Island of Guam who were there when the Americans landed.

  This celebration was not in honor of the Senate delegation but in 
honor of one of our Members, Senator Heflin. It was a moving sight. 
There was a big sign out there that I shall never forget. It said, 
``Welcome Back Our Liberating Hero, Lt. Howell Heflin.''
  Because of all his other accomplishments, I suspect few of my 
colleagues in the Senate even know about Senator Heflin's heroism. He 
was one of those marines who liberated Guam. Lt. Howell Heflin was part 
of the assault force of the Americans landing to take Guam from the 
Japanese. He was wounded in the initial assault and kept on fighting. 
He pointed out the hill to me where he took his second hit.
  He was evacuated to the United States where he spent considerable 
time in the hospital.
  This story illustrates that Senator Heflin's love of country has been 
a constant throughout his life. As marine, judge, and as Senator, duty, 
honor, and valor are all words associated with Howell Heflin.
  This is a side of the proud Howell Heflin that I know. That is a side 
that I want his colleagues and history to know. He is one of those who 
serves his country in time of need, and we must never forget that.
  As I bring my Senate career to a close, I point to serving and 
knowing people like Howell Heflin as one of the most wonderful benefits 
of being involved in politics.
  Having known Howell and Mike Heflin and knowing of their stature, and 
character, having had them as friends, means a great deal to me as I 
look back on my life in public service and see what really has been 
important.
  I simply say that one of the great treasures of my life has been 
knowing the Heflins. May God bless and keep Howell and Mike Heflin 
forever in his grace.

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