[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 5, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S3176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO SENATOR HOWELL HEFLIN

  Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay 
tribute to the passing of my good friend, our former colleague, Senator 
Howell Heflin.
  Judge Heflin, as we often called him, was a stalwart in the Senate, 
devoted to improving my State of Alabama and the Nation with each 
decision he made and I believe every vote he cast.
  When I first entered the Senate in 1987, Judge Heflin was the senior 
Senator from my State of Alabama. I considered him a good friend and 
colleague over the 18 years he served here. I always appreciated his 
humor and his solid values. I believe he will be remembered as one of 
Alabama's most respected politicians.
  Judge Heflin was a strong voice for Alabama in the Senate. He served 
as chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee and as a member of the 
Senate Judiciary Committee. He worked to ensure that Alabama was indeed 
well represented in this body.
  He was deeply devoted to his job, and, as we know, often spent 
dinners out that were meant to be time off as an opportunity to help 
his constituents who happened to be at the same restaurant.
  Howell Heflin was born June 19, 1921, in Poulan, GA, to Reverend 
Marvin Rutledge Heflin and Louise Strudwick Heflin. He graduated from 
Colbert County High School in Leighton, AL, and Birmingham Southern 
College in Birmingham, AL.
  Following his graduation from Birmingham Southern College in 1942, 
Judge Heflin enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. His military service 
during World War II took him to the Pacific Theater, where he was 
wounded twice and awarded the Silver Star for bravery. He was also 
awarded two Purple Hearts.
  Upon his return from World War II, he attended the University of 
Alabama School of Law and was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 
1948. From 1948 to 1971, Judge Heflin was an attorney in Tuscumbia, AL.
  He was elected as the chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court in 
1970. He was well known for his efforts to modernize Alabama's legal 
system. It was because of his profound work as chief justice that he 
became affectionately known as ``The Judge'' even after he became a 
Senator. He was elected first to the Senate in 1978, and was reelected 
to two more terms, for a total of 18 years of service--three terms--in 
the Senate.
  In 1997, he left public life and returned home to Tuscumbia, AL, to 
enjoy time with his family.
  Howell Thomas Heflin led a full life. Each chapter of his life--as a 
war hero, a jurist, and a public servant--was completed with great 
fervor and devotion. He did nothing halfway, and everyone who knew him 
recognized and appreciated that.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I, too, wish to speak in morning 
business. What a passing of a great generation. I, too, want to pay my 
respects to Senator Heflin, an outstanding Senator, a wonderful Senator 
from Alabama. When I came to the Senate in 1987, he was one of the men 
of the Senate who welcomed me with graciousness. He introduced me to 
hand-pulled barbecue from Alabama. He also introduced me to the 
Marshall Space Program. I had the opportunity to work with him in terms 
of creating jobs in Alabama and also creating opportunity through the 
Space Program.
  He embodied the qualities of hard work, honesty, humility, and humor, 
and he left this earth with a great legacy. Senator Heflin died on 
March 29, 2005, last week. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Heflin; 
a son, Howard Thomas Heflin, Jr.; a daughter-in-law, Corneila Hood 
Heflin; grandson Wilson Charmichael Heflin; and a granddaughter, Mary 
Catherine Heflin.
  Senator Heflin was devoted to his family, his State, and his country. 
As a World War II hero, he put his love of country above all else. He 
made remarkable contributions to Alabama and the Nation as a whole. His 
warmhearted personality will be remembered by all who knew him well. We 
will all miss him. We will certainly miss him in the Senate.
  I yield the floor.

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