[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 26 (Thursday, February 16, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING JAMES LUCIEN HINTON

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I wish to remember Mr. James 
Lucien ``Jimmy'' Hinton, who passed away on December 3, 2011, in 
Tuscaloosa, AL, at the age of 88. He was one of Alabama's best known 
and respected citizens.
  Mr. Jimmy was born in Tuscaloosa on April 8, 1923. He grew up in the 
Little Sandy community, attended the University of Alabama in the 
1940s, and served in the U.S. Army. In 1958, he married Jean Jolly and 
they had three children: Jimmy, Jr., Mary Katherine, and Elizabeth. He 
loved his family and enjoyed spending time at his farm, Sedgefield 
Plantation, in Dallas County.
  Mr. Jimmy was a highly successful businessman and involved in many 
businesses during his lifetime, starting his own sawmill company at the 
age of 16. He was engaged in the lumber business, real estate 
development, a box and pallet factory, automobile business, asphalt 
business, and the family owned a meat-packing company, R. L. Zeigler 
Co., Inc., where he served as chairman of the board. He also served as 
a board member for the First National Bank of Tuscaloosa and Southern 
United Life Insurance Company. In 1999, he was inducted into the 
Alabama Business Hall of Fame.
  Mr. Jimmy loved his family very much and particularly enjoyed hunting 
and fishing with them and his many friends at Sedgefield. He often 
opened Sedgefield for national and State field trials and also allowed 
hunts for persons with disabilities and terminal illness. He began the 
first Life Hunts for such hunters over 25 years ago, and many have 
benefited from his care and concern. He supported a host of worthy 
causes over his life.
  In 1998, Jimmy received the Governor's Award and was named 
Conservationist of the Year for his dedication to conservation in 
Alabama.
  He was a passionate supporter of the University of Alabama and its 
athletics program. Paul W. ``Bear'' Bryant and he were famous friends. 
He served on the University of Alabama Presidents Cabinet and the Board 
of Visitors of the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business 
Administration.
  I knew Mr. Jimmy for a number of years. It was easy to see why he 
engendered such affection and respect. A decisive and strong man, 
certainly, he nevertheless was totally unassuming. That background of 
country living, his love of hunting and the outdoors, his success in 
business, and his association with athletics at the iconic University 
of Alabama combined in a special way to shape who he was. People saw 
him for who he was. There was a rare combination of strength, modesty, 
and loyalty deep in his character. And to a very unusual degree, this 
remarkable businessman, who never sought the limelight, was well known 
and loved throughout our State.
  Alabama and the Nation have lost one of its finest citizen. My 
sympathy is extended to his family upon this loss, but they have been 
given a wonderful heritage of industry, humility, and public 
service.

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