[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 40 (Friday, April 12, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2631-S2632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              BILL TAYLOR

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, the office of United States 
Marshal is one of the great and historic law enforcement positions in 
America. This honor carries with it the responsibility of protecting 
the Federal judiciary, tracking down fugitives from justice, delivering 
defendants to trial, ensuring safety of witnesses, leading and 
coordinating with local law enforcement and, in general, helping the 
entire federal legal system work together harmoniously and effectively 
to fight crime. Because Marshals often come from State and local law 
enforcement to their federal position, their experience helps further 
communication among all criminal justice agencies. This is critical 
today in fighting crime.
  I was therefore extremely pleased William S. Taylor and that 
President Bush has chose him to be the U.S. Marshal for the Southern 
District of Alabama. He has all the qualities necessary to be a great 
success. First and foremost he is a good man. He loves his God, his 
family and his country. He has served each with distinction and 
fidelity. Bill is known for his honesty. He is always a gentleman, 
always courteous, always cooperative with the public and his superiors, 
but you may be sure he will not do things that he does not believe is 
right. On that point, he is rock solid.
  I came to know Bill and his superior reputation when he served as 
Police Chief of Jackson, AL, while I served as U.S. Attorney for the 
Southern District of Alabama. During that time, we got to know each 
other well, working together on important criminal cases and even 
fishing together periodically. My mother, originally from Choctaw 
County, AL, later told me about his fine parents. Bill's father was a 
fine carpenter and brick mason respected throughout that area of the 
State. In 1994, I was elected to the office of Attorney General for 
Alabama and I prevailed upon Bill to join me as Alabama's Law 
Enforcement Coordinator. Bill was superb in that position and won the 
respect of law enforcement personnel all over the state. He understood 
their needs and problems and worked to help them. Law enforcement 
officers trusted him. In addition, I would call on him periodically to 
help us investigate difficult cases. He was a great asset as an 
investigator also. For more than a year, the chief of staff of my 
Senate office who was then the administrative officer of the Attorney 
General's office, Armand DeKeyser, State Trooper Mike Barnett, Bill and 
I

[[Page S2632]]

roomed together in Montgomery while our families remained at home. I 
came to like and respect Bill even more during that time. His fidelity 
to the mission of the Attorney General's office and his high ideals 
were extraordinary.
  Indeed, Bill has a history of exceptional service. He was drafted 
into the Army right after his graduation from Choctaw County High 
School in Butler. After undergoing rigorous training he was sent 
directly to Vietnam where he served with distinction for one year. Bill 
was promoted quickly and ended his Army career with the rank of E-6. 
His unit was involved in extensive combat taking heavy casualties and 
Bill completed his tour of Vietnam having promoted to acting Platoon 
Sergeant.
  His superior performance in Vietnam was rewarded by a host of awards 
including the Bronze Star, the National Defense Service Medal with one 
bronze star, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation 
Badge. When his country called, Bill Taylor went without complaint and 
served with courage and distinction.
  After leaving active duty he joined the Army National Guard and 
continues to serve in the Army Guard with distinction, now having 
attained his rank of Chief Warrant Officer Two. Indeed, Vietnam turned 
out not to be his only war. As a Guardsman, he was called again to 
combat for 6 months service in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. A superb 
military record indeed.
  After Vietnam, Bill returned to his hometown of Butler and in 1969 
was hired as a police officer. At that point, a fellow Choctaw 
Countian, Larry Linder, then a lieutenant with the Jackson, AL, Police 
Department lured him to the Jackson Police Department. There Bill found 
his calling. He served 2 years as a patrolman, two years as a 
lieutenant, 2 years as Assistant Chief and in 1975, commenced a 
sterling 20-year career as a police chief. Though very young, Bill did 
a superb job as chief, creating a highly respected police department in 
Jackson. He was selected for the prestigious national FBI Academy and 
undertook many educational programs. In fact, such was the excellence 
of his career, that in 1979 Chief William S. Taylor was named Citizen 
of the Year in Jackson and in 1980 he was selected as the Law 
Enforcement Officer of the Year for the state of Alabama. All this when 
he was hardly 30 years of age.
  Has any of this turned his head--made him ``too big for his 
britches''? The answer is no. He is the same today as when he first 
answered the call of his country to serve in Vietnam. He will lead the 
Marshal's office with fairness, professionalism, skill and integrity. 
President Bush is to be commended for this excellent nomination. One of 
his most valuable attributes is his knowledge of and respect for local 
law enforcement. This is a critical quality for a modern marshal. 
Working every day to enhance cooperation and coordination among all 
state and local law enforcement agencies, as well as the federal 
agencies is one of the most important duties of the office. His 
experience and the respect with which he is held will make him quite 
valuable in this regard.
  Bill is married to an exceptional lady in her own right, Catherine. 
They have been married for 32 years and have three sons Patrick, Bobby 
and Jonathan. The Senate acted wisely when it unanimously confirmed 
President Bush's nomination of William S. Taylor. The people of the 
United States will continue to benefit from his leadership.

                          ____________________