[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 27, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E48-E49]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATIONS TO JUDGE JOHN F. BUTLER ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 
                               RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 2004

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I 
rise to pay tribute to the Honorable John F. Butler on the occasion of 
his retirement from the bench of the Mobile County Circuit Court. For 
the past 21 years, Judge Butler has served the families of the State of 
Alabama with compassion, dedication, and a tremendous level of 
commitment.
  Beginning in 1971, with his appointment as referee for the juvenile 
court, Judge Butler has devoted his life to the well-being of young 
people in south Alabama. In addition to his three terms as circuit 
court judge, he has served 2 decades as the presiding juvenile court 
judge of Mobile County. Along with his duties on the bench, Judge 
Butler has also operated the Strickland Youth Center and was 
instrumental in the creation of area Boys and Girls Club programs, the 
Camp Martin Leadership Academy, the Girls Reaching Womanhood Thru 
Healing (GROWTH) program, and Pointe Academy for juvenile offenders. 
Without fail, Judge Butler has focused a tremendous level of energy and 
time on his efforts to help young men and women overcome the 
difficulties of their past and become focused and successful members of 
their community.
  Along with his many professional responsibilities, Judge Butler has 
also served as a member of numerous statewide juvenile justice 
programs. This long list includes service as chairman of the Governor's 
Advisory Council on Youth, a term as president of the Alabama Council 
of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and 8 years as a trustee to the 
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. His work in these 
areas, as well as his professional accomplishments, has also resulted 
in public recognition and many awards during his long years of public 
service.
  Judge Butler is also one of America's proud veterans, having served 
for many years in the United States Army. Following his graduation

[[Page E49]]

from college, he enlisted in the Army as a private and after a period 
of outstanding service received a direct commission as a second 
lieutenant. A veteran of the war in Vietnam and the recipient of the 
Bronze Star and nine other medals, Judge Butler retired as a colonel 
from the United States Army Reserve in 1995.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing 
Judge John Butler for his tremendous contributions to the citizens of 
the First Congressional District of Alabama. The experience and 
enthusiasm he brought to his job and the concern and compassion he 
displayed for the young people of the region are unquestioned and 
unparalleled. He has indeed been a genuine asset both to the circuit 
court and to the thousands of men, women, and children he has assisted 
over the past 2 decades. I am proud and honored to call him my friend.
  Make no mistake, the judge's talents and experience on the bench will 
be sorely missed, but I am confident he will continue to remain 
actively involved in the life of the Mobile community for many years to 
come. Along with his friends and colleagues throughout Alabama, I wish 
to extend to Judge Butler and his family all the best now and in the 
future.

                          ____________________