[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 5, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6183-S6184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 REMEMBERING JOSEPH D. ``JOE'' HUBBARD

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute today 
to one of Alabama's most admired and successful prosecutors, Joseph D. 
``Joe'' Hubbard, who passed last month. I got to know him when I was 
U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Alabama and later when we 
worked together during the time I served as attorney general of 
Alabama.

[[Page S6184]]

  Joe was a native of Calhoun County and graduated from Oxford High 
School. He received a bachelor's degree with honor from Auburn 
University and graduated from the fine Cumberland School of Law at 
Samford University, cum laude. He was elected district attorney in 1992 
and reelected, without opposition, in 1998, 2004 and 2010. Prior to 
being elected district attorney, Joe was an assistant district attorney 
for the 7th Judicial Circuit from 1978-1985 and chief assistant 
district attorney 1985-1993.
  Joe was named Elected Official of the Year in 2004 by the National 
Association of Social Workers, District Attorney of the Year for the 
State of Alabama, and awarded the Distinguished Service Award for 
Outstanding Law Enforcement.
  Joe was dedicated to the law and always did what was right. As a 
career prosecutor he was most known for two successful prosecutions: 
That of Donald Ray Wheat, who was convicted of the 2002 murder of four 
people in a Blockbuster video store, and the prosecution of Marie 
Hilley which was the subject of two books and a television movie. He 
also published a novel entitled ``Blood Secrets,'' a thriller about a 
trial lawyer who wrestles with inner demons as he pursues the seat of 
the world's most powerful figure--the presidency of the United States. 
Proceeds from the sale of that book have been donated to the American 
Cancer Society.
  Joe was a role model for prosecutors. He was greatly admired by his 
fellow prosecutors throughout the State. I shared that view. He was 
smart, hard working, and deeply experienced. He knew his business and 
was a ``hands on'' leader of his office. Frequently, he was called on 
to provide leadership and otherwise help with tough issues throughout 
the State. Prosecutors have a demanding job, but one that is quite 
fulfilling. It requires strength, tenacity, integrity and, importantly, 
good judgment. Joe possessed all these qualities and more. He could 
have left public service for a very successful private practice many 
times but he didn't. He stayed and served the public interest. He 
retired from that service on March 15, 2011. He will be greatly missed 
by family, friends and colleagues.

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