[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 79 (Friday, June 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE LIFE OF U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE ALEX T. HOWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 3, 2011

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today 
to acknowledge the loss of a dear friend and a remarkable public 
servant, U.S. District Judge Alex T. Howard, Jr., who recently died in 
Mobile following a battle with pneumonia at the age of 86.
  Judge Howard grew up in Mobile and graduated from Murphy High School 
as one of its best and brightest students. He then attended Auburn 
University, but his studies were cut short by the outbreak of the 
Second World War. He enrolled in the 106th Infantry division and fought 
in the Battle of the Bulge. By his 20th birthday, he was commissioned 
as a Second Lieutenant. He carried that formative experience with him 
the rest of his life, and the lessons he learned during war allowed him 
to excel at practically everything he undertook throughout his life.
  Upon his return to civilian life, he attended the University of 
Alabama, and graduated in 1950 from Vanderbilt University School of 
Law. He eventually settled in private practice in Mobile at the firm 
now known as Johnstone, Adams, Bailey, Gordon & Harris.
  Mr. Speaker, Judge Howard's character, years of service and his wide-
ranging experiences in law led him to a nomination by President Ronald 
Reagan for a newly created position on the federal bench in 1986. He 
was confirmed by the Senate just 15 days after the President's 
nomination. From his first days on the bench, his influence was felt 
throughout southwest Alabama.
  Cecily Kaffer, a Mobile lawyer who clerked for Judge Howard from 1988 
to 1999, recently told the Mobile Press-Register that Judge Howard was 
an insightful lawyer and an evidentiary genius.
  Outside of the courtroom, Judge Howard taught Sunday School at 
Dauphin Way United Methodist Church for many years and attended 
services with his family.
  My condolences go out to his wife, Anne Boykin, his daughter, 
Catherine Dawson, and his son, Alexander. You are all in our thoughts 
and prayers.

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