[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11965]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE RETIREMENT OF U.S. SENATOR HOWELL HEFLIN

  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, I rise today to make a few comments 
about a great U.S. Senator, Howell Heflin, or Judge Heflin as he is 
known to all of us who have had the privilege to work with him.
  For over 24 years, Howell Heflin has fought for the interests of 
Alabama and America. He began his career in public service when he 
fought in the Pacific during World War II. There he was wounded twice 
and earned the Silver Star. After graduating from the University of 
Alabama Law School he began to practice law in Alabama. He went on to 
serve as President of the Alabama State Bar Association from 1965 to 
1966.
  In 1971 Howell Heflin became Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme 
Court. He is credited with reforming Alabama's antiquated court system. 
His court reform package has earned him national recognition. His other 
accomplishments include serving as chairman of the National Conference 
of Chief Justices, vice president of the American Judicature Society, 
and being selected the American Association of Trial Lawyers ``Most 
Outstanding Appellate Judge in the United States'' in 1975.
  I came to know Judge Heflin during his tenure in the Senate. He has 
provided constant leadership and has always had the time to listen. He 
has always had the time to take a junior Member under his wing and talk 
with them about issues, no matter how arcane.
  When I first came to the Senate, I was assigned to the Judiciary 
Committee and was able to take advantage of Judge Heflin's incredible 
expertise as a member of that committee. It has been a pleasure working 
with him.
  A man of integrity, Howell Heflin represents the new South. He has 
given rise to the kind of moral force that has lifted this body and 
indeed, this entire country. His integrity, his intelligence, his 
commitment to the Constitution, and his faith in what the American 
dream has always stood for and can be in the future, has led Judge 
Heflin in a direction of greatness that is without peer and without 
parallel in this body.
  Howell Heflin is a man of courage. He stood on this floor about 2 
years ago during the debate on the United Daughters of the Confederacy 
patent extension and made one of the most eloquent speeches I have ever 
heard. He made it from the heart and he made it with courage. It was 
that courage that the people of Alabama recognized when they elected 
him to serve in this body.
  The Senate will not be the same place when Howell Heflin leaves. He 
has been a force for the good. He has been a force for the light. He 
has made a tremendous contribution. I will personally miss Judge Heflin 
and the people of his state will miss one of the best advocates for 
Alabama the Senate has ever seen. I wish Judge Heflin and his wife Mike 
well.

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