[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 140 (Wednesday, October 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S12154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RETIREMENT OF SENATOR HOWELL HEFLIN

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to my good 
friend, Senator Howell Heflin, known by many of his colleagues and 
friends as ``the Judge,'' who, regrettably, is retiring from the 
Senate.
  On November 2, 1978, the U.S. Senate gained one of the most 
respected, intelligent and able Senators in Howell Heflin. Howell grew 
up as a son of a Methodist minister, and was educated at Birmingham 
Southern and the University of Alabama Law School. With a J.D. Degree 
in hand, he practiced law with wide recognition as a noted trial 
attorney, gaining numerous honors and awards among law societies and 
associations.
  During his career, Howell has made many important contributions to 
our great Nation. In addition to being an attorney, Howell served as 
Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court prior to his election to the 
Senate, and he brought to the Senate an extensive knowledge of the 
judicial process. During his tenure as Chief Justice, ``the Judge'' 
brought about an unprecedented judicial reform package for his State, 
which has been hailed as a model for the Nation and has been studied by 
numerous other courts throughout the United States. This extensive 
knowledge and background made Howell Heflin a natural candidate to 
serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee. For years we have served 
together on this committee, and have worked closely on a number of 
judicial reform initiatives and measures to fight crime and drug abuse. 
The members of the Judiciary Committee who have worked with Howell have 
undoubtably benefited from his insight on judicial matters.
  As with many southern States, agriculture plays an important part in 
Alabama's economy, and in addition to his commitment to judicial 
issues, Howell has an equally strong interest in agricultural concerns. 
He has been called the spokesman for southern agriculture by the 
Associated Press, and makes his fight for farmers a national priority.
  Senator Heflin, a former Marine who served in World War II, has a 
special interest in a strong national defense. His work with President 
Reagan on the Strategic Defense Initiative, and cooperation with 
President Bush on defense matters demonstrates his nonpartisan spirit 
and his commitment to the security of this great Nation.
  Throughout his Senate service, Howell has maintained his Alabama 
roots and applied his down home, southern values of common sense and 
level headedness to his work in the Senate.
  I have great respect for Senator Heflin's commitment to his work, his 
integrity, as well as his dedication to his constituents and to the 
United States of America. As he heads home to Alabama, I wish him well 
in his retirement, and trust that he will enjoy many years of health, 
happiness, and spending more time with his growing family.

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