[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LATE SENATOR BOB WILSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. EARL F. HILLIARD

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 1997

  Mr. HILLIARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to praise one of 
the finest men ever to serve in the State senate of the State of 
Alabama, Senator Robert Terry Wilson, Sr. Senator Wilson was born in a 
mining camp in Dora, AL, on April 23, 1922. He was the third of seven 
children. Senator Wilson was raised in Jasper and then attended the 
public schools, as well as the University of Alabama, where he also 
graduated from law school.
  During World War II, Senator Wilson was a brave man who served as a 
tail gunner in a B-26 bomber. He flew 65 missions over Italy and France 
during the hardest years of the war. For his heroism, he was decorated 
with many medals, including the coveted French, Croix De Guerre.
  Although he fought many battles during the war, he also fought many 
more in the political arena, some great and some small. In the Alabama 
senate, he represented the poor, the downtrodden, and the forgotten of 
society. He always was an effective voice for the underrepresented of 
our land, and did so with principle.
  One of the few battles Senator Bob Wilson ever lost occurred last 
week when many years of cancer finally overcame him. I send my 
heartfelt wishes to his widow Ruth, and his children, Bob, Sue, Sally, 
and Alice. We will all miss Senator Wilson, and the arena of politics 
will be just a little bit less bright without him.
  I am glad that I had the privilege and pleasure to serve with him in 
the Alabama Legislature.

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