[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 133 (Friday, September 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING ALICE FINCH LEE ON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 9, 2011

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join with all Alabamians in 
sending warm personal congratulations to a beloved member of our 
community, Miss Alice Finch Lee, who celebrates her 100th birthday on 
Sunday, September 11, 2011. ``Miss Alice's'' compassion for others is 
matched only by her determination for justice. Her life-long dedication 
to civility and fairness is a credit to our state.
  Monroeville, Alabama not only wears the crown of literary capital of 
our state with its ties to such giants of letters as Truman Capote and 
Nelle Harper Lee, among others, but it is also home to a one-of-a-kind 
legal lion.
  Miss Alice grew up in a tight-knit family accustomed to making a 
difference. Her father, the late A.C. Lee, was a respected businessman 
and attorney. He owned the local newspaper, The Monroe Journal, while 
also practicing law. His inscrutable reputation for fairness is 
believed to have inspired Miss Alice's younger sister, Nelle, in 
crafting the character Atticus Finch in her world famous novel To Kill 
a Mockingbird.
  Miss Alice was a quick study, joining her father at the age of 18 in 
running the newspaper. It wasn't long before she also acquired an 
interest in law. Her decision to attend law school, a move strongly 
supported by her father, was a bold one considering women were not 
often seen in the legal profession during the 1930's and 40's. 
Undeterred, she graduated from the Birmingham School of Law and passed 
Alabama Bar in 1943.
  It was Monroeville's good fortune that Miss Alice came back home and 
partnered with her father in practicing law in her hometown. Joining 
what is now considered to be one of the oldest law firms in Alabama, 
Barnett, Bugg, Lee & Carter, Miss Alice made a name for herself as a 
calm but reliable voice for equality and an advocate for the 
disadvantaged. Never seeking attention or accolade, she is best known 
for her uncommon generosity. A recent newspaper profile accordingly 
dubbed Miss Alice as ``Atticus Finch in a skirt.''
  At the tender young age of 100, Miss Alice still works in her 
Monroeville law office attending to her clients' needs on a daily basis 
and giving each the full measure of her attention. When I personally 
looked in on her last week she was busy reviewing a contract and 
graciously gave me a few minutes to wish her a happy birthday.
  She has been called a trailblazer, a role model and an advocate for 
what is right. In South Alabama, we are also proud to call her our 
friend. Miss Alice, on your 100th birthday, we wish you much joy and 
happiness, with a heartfelt prayer for many more to come.

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