[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 23, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S10855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   JIM SOLOMON AND HIS RETIREMENT AS THE ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S 
                        OPINIONS DIVISION CHIEF

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I would like to take a few 
moments to speak to you about Jim Solomon, who is retiring from his 
position as head of the Alabama Attorney General's Opinions Division 
after 35 years of service to the state of Alabama.
  This division fields legal advice requests from all over the state of 
Alabama, with the majority of the requests coming from local government 
officials having various questions concerning ambiguities in state 
laws. While opinions are not legally binding, they are used as 
guidelines by the various entities in developing public policy. 
Therefore, correct interpretation of Alabama laws are essential to the 
smaller communities and agencies that do not have a legal staff. Mr. 
Solomon's contributions to this effort have been extraordinary and 
should be noted.
  I had the honor of working with Mr. Solomon during my term as the 
Attorney General of Alabama. He was an outstanding employee who 
believed in service above self. He never strayed from this work ethic 
during his 19 years in that office. He served as a role model to others 
and was someone who could always be counted on regardless of the job or 
the circumstances. His administrative and supervisory abilities were 
superior and he was greatly loved by those with whom he worked. One of 
his most impressive achievements was the indexing of all Opinions from 
1979 forward, making it possible for the public to have access to them 
on the Internet.
  During Mr. Solomon's employment in the Opinions Division, he was 
responsible for writing approximately 8,000 Opinions for state and 
local officials. One of the most memorable opinions caused the 
previously closed state legislative committee meetings to open to the 
public.
  Jim Solomon is more than a great public servant. He possesses in rich 
measure the qualities that made for a great citizen, a strong 
churchman, a faithful family man and a good friend to many. He sets 
high standards and a good example for all of us.
  Mr. President, I appreciate being able to make these brief comments 
to my fellow colleagues because it is important that Jim Solomon be 
recognized for his years of outstanding service to Alabama.

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