[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 135 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11419-S11420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RETIREMENT OF SENATOR HOWELL HEFLIN

  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the 
most well-liked and respected members of the Senate. Judge Heflin has 
brought to this body a keen mind, a sharp wit, and a pleasant sense of 
humor that makes it a true pleasure to serve with him. His retirement 
this year is a tremendous loss to the Senate, his State, and the 
Nation.
  I have come to know The Judge best through our work on the Senate 
Agriculture Committee. Since I joined the Senate in 1987, Judge Heflin 
and I have worked together to improve the quality of life for rural 
citizens. Senator

[[Page S11420]]

Heflin represents a rural State, Alabama, and he knows what's needed to 
maintain quality of life. He knows that everything which makes up the 
rural way of life--jobs, schools, hospitals, the rural infrastructure--
depends on having a vibrant economic base.
  As it is in North Dakota, agriculture is key to rural life in 
Alabama. Senator Heflin understands the need to preserve and protect 
the economic viability of American farmers in fiercely competitive 
global agricultural markets. He understands the complexities of world 
agricultural trade and has stood strongly behind U.S. farmers in their 
efforts to compete. A staunch defender of U.S. peanut growers, The 
Judge is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure their concerns 
are heard in the development of agricultural legislation. But more than 
that, he always works hard to convey to the nonagriculture community 
the importance of maintaining a strong, broad-based agricultural system 
in the United States.
  Closely linked with agriculture is the rural infrastructure, and 
Senator Heflin knows perhaps better than anyone in this body that a 
strong infrastructure is absolutely crucial to preserving the economic 
base of rural areas. Rural electric and telephone cooperatives are the 
lifeblood of rural areas, and without them many citizens would receive 
poor service, expensive service, or no service at all. Senator Heflin 
fights off critics of Federal Government rural development efforts with 
stern determination, clear arguments and effective strategies. I truly 
admire him for it, and am glad to say I've joined him in that effort.
  I'm sure every Member of this body has a favorite story about Howell 
Heflin. His character and personality have often brought easy smiles 
into what many times have been very difficult situations. One of my 
favorites occurred just last year in the Senate Agriculture Committee 
during negotiations on the 1996 farm bill. The Committee Democrats were 
present, waiting for our Republican counterparts to finish their caucus 
and enter the room. Suddenly, above the din of the Members, staff, and 
lobbyists came a bellowing call, ``Sound the pachyderm horns!'' The 
Judge had made it known he wasn't interested in waiting for the 
Republicans any longer. They promptly returned.
  But it will not be for just his wit that I will miss Judge Heflin. He 
is a good friend, a great Senator, and a remarkable American. I admire 
him greatly for all that he has done. And knowing that this week he 
admitted himself into an Alabama hospital, I can only say that I wish 
him a speedy recovery, my sincerest appreciation for the years we've 
served together, and my best heart-felt wishes for a long, happy, and 
comfortable retirement.

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