[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 82 (Tuesday, June 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE MEMORY OF THE HON. WILLIAM HENRY McDERMOTT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 15, 2004

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, Mobile County, AL, and indeed the entire 
First Congressional District, recently lost a dear friend and I rise 
today to honor him and pay tribute to his memory.
  Judge William Henry McDermott was a devoted family man and dedicated 
public servant throughout his 50-year career in public service.
  A former member of both the Alabama State House and Senate, Judge 
McDermott turned down an appointment to the bench in Mobile County in 
1970, feeling called instead to devote his time to a law practice that 
would enable him to support his large family. Thirty years later, he 
ran for--and won--election to a six-year term on the circuit court and 
until his untimely death, served with distinction in this position.
  Unfortunately, Judge McDermott was only recently diagnosed with 
cancer. However, even in the face of such difficult news, his first 
thoughts were of selecting the best possible replacement to ensure that 
the judicial system would not be adversely affected and that the wheels 
of justice would continue to turn.
  In addition to his distinguished career in the state legislature and 
on the circuit court, Judge McDermott also served with pride in the 
United States military and was, for a time, the city attorney for 
Chickasaw, AL.
  At the time of his passing, I remarked that Judge McDermott had a 
heart as big as the state of Texas and that his death would create a 
large void in the fabric of the Mobile community. In the days since his 
death, those sentiments have in no way lessened.
  The Judge and his lovely wife, Katie, were fixtures in the life of 
our community for many years and together, they worked in numerous 
ways, both publicly and behind the scenes, to make life much better for 
the people of south Alabama.
  Not surprisingly, the dedication and care Judge McDermott devoted to 
community service was constantly on display in his service on the 
bench. In fact, his attention to even the smallest detail in the cases 
he heard became legendary around the courthouse, and he was always 
striving to render a fair decision to all concerned.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a 
dedicated public servant and long-time advocate for all of south 
Alabama. Judge McDermott will be deeply missed by his family--his wife, 
Catherine O'Brien McDermott; his daughters, Elizabeth O'Neill, Annette 
Carwie, Jeanne Marie Cruthirds, Michelle Mayberry, Mary Claire Wacker, 
Catherine Williamson, and Maureen McDermott; his son, William Joseph 
McDermott; and his two brothers, Charles L. McDermott and Edward B. 
McDermott--as well as the countless friends he leaves behind.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time.

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