[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 44 (Monday, March 22, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1811-S1812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM H. SATTERFIELD

 Mr. SESSIONS. Madam President, today I pay tribute to William 
(Bill) Satterfield, counsel for Balch & Bingham LLP in Birmingham, AL.
  Prior to his position at Balch and Bingham, Bill served as the 
general counsel of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and as the 
Associate and Deputy Solicitor of the U.S. Department of Interior in 
Washington, DC.
  Bill has extensive experience with environmental, natural resources, 
energy, and public utility law on both the Federal and State levels and 
has been fighting the good fight for the State of Alabama on a myriad 
of environmental issues for over three decades. He has used his 
knowledge of the laws, regulations, and political climate to provide 
direction on environmental and natural resource issues to individuals, 
small businesses, and large corporations in Alabama.
  In a big part of this work, he has been a great advocate for port and 
waterways issues in Alabama, serving as counsel to Alabama-Tombigbee 
Rivers Coalition. This organization is made up of 34 members and 
composed of business, trade associations, and state agencies in Alabama 
and Mississippi, and it led the charge to challenge the Fish and 
Wildlife's proposed listing of the Alabama sturgeon as an endangered 
species.
  He is also the secretary and counsel of the National Waterways 
Conference, which focuses on commonsense water resources policies that 
maximize the economic and environmental value of our inland, coastal 
and Great Lakes waterways.
  During his tenure as legal counsel for the National Waterways 
Conference, a volunteer position, he invested countless hours to ensure 
that the constitution and bylaws of the organization were preserved to 
ensure the ongoing integrity of the National Waterways Conference as 
the only water resources association representing the full spectrum of 
water resources stakeholders, and thanks to his tireless efforts, the 
National Waterways Conference continues to prevail as our Nation's 
leading multifaceted water resource organization.
  The National Waterways Conference, which was founded in 1960, 
celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and bestowed on Bill 
Satterfield the title of Counsel Emeritus of the National Waterways 
Conference on March 9, 2010.
  Through his work with the National Waterways Conference, he embodied 
the spirit of our nation's frontiersmen on many occasions. In the 
ceremony naming him counsel emeritus, he was presented a bronze statue 
with the following quote:

       This bronze statue of ``The Trooper on the Plains'' by 
     Frederic Remington is symbolic

[[Page S1812]]

     of the attributes Satterfield exhibited in every situation he 
     encountered throughout his career: Bravery, quick action, 
     strength, courage, and endurance. With a yank of the reins, 
     the rider in this statue is galloping full speed ahead 
     through dangerous territory with a pistol pointed across his 
     torso. The feet of his horse, in this scene, never touch the 
     ground, as he is always moving. He charges towards the enemy 
     camp, fearless and undaunted, with great courage and 
     resolution. His one goal: Achieve the aims set forth by his 
     commanding officer, and win ultimate victory for his army. 
     Colonel Bill Satterfield is a true ``Trooper of the Plains.''

  Bill is a great lawyer, a proven professional, a superb public 
servant, a man of high principle who understands and loves this great 
Republic which we serve and a good friend. I extend my heartiest 
congratulations upon his receipt of this special and most deserved 
honor.

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