[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E45]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO MR. BILLY D. HARBIN OF MADISON COUNTY, AL

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR.

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 2001

  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who has 
served Madison County for 30 years, Mr. Billy Harbin. I would like to 
recognize the outstanding contributions of Mr. Harbin to our community 
and to the Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit of Alabama.
  Mr. Harbin's roots are deep within North Alabama. After growing up in 
Huntsville and graduating from Hazel Green High School, Mr. Harbin 
played basketball and baseball on scholarship at the University of 
North Alabama in Florence. After serving the Army on active duty 
between 1956-58, Mr. Harbin went to work with them at Redstone Arsenal 
as an instructor with the Ordnance Guided Missile School and Missile 
Munitions Center and School. Mr. Harbin's love for his country found a 
different path when he first ran for Circuit Clerk in 1970. His 
commitment to justice and efficiency were recognized by the people he 
served. He ran for re-election four times, each time without 
opposition. His colleagues appreciated his service as well selecting 
him to receive the first ``Outstanding Circuit Clerk'' State of Alabama 
award. He is also the recipient of the Huntsville/Madison County 
Jaycee's ``Good Government Award'' and the Huntsville/Madison County 
Bar Association's ``Liberty Bell Award''.
  His dedication to his community extends beyond his professional 
duties. He has given of his time and talents to several civic boards of 
directors including the Salvation Army, Community Bank of North Alabama 
and Huntsville Hospital. Former Chief Justices of the Alabama Supreme 
Court including the Hon. Howell Heflin and the Hon. C.C. ``Bo'' 
Torbert, Jr. have nominated him to several state commissions and to the 
Board of Directors of the Alabama Judicial College.
  For his hard work, vision and dedication to the people of Madison 
County, I feel this is an apt honor. Now as he retires, I wish to thank 
Mr. Harbin for his extraordinary service for his community and this 
nation. On behalf of the U.S. Congress, I pay tribute to Mr. Harbin and 
thank him for a job well done. I join his wife Joyce, his two children 
Danny and Sandy, and his three granddaughters in congratulating him on 
his retirement. I wish him a well-deserved rest.

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