[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 146 (Thursday, November 15, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DON ARTHUR McGRIFF

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2012

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the memory of a 
beloved and respected Alabaman who passed away on October 2, 2012, at 
the age of 70. Don McGriff was a devoted public servant and a tireless 
advocate for safer communities at the state and local level.
  Don McGriff was born in Mobile on April 22, 1942. He was a graduate 
of Murphy High School, the University of South Alabama, and the Jones 
School of Law at Faulkner University. Don also served his country 
honorably in the United States Marine Corps.
  Active in state and local politics, Don was the Republican Nominee 
for Alabama Lieutenant Governor against Democrat Jim Folsom, Jr. in 
1986. He served as Chairman of the Baldwin County Republican Party and 
on the Baldwin County School Board.
  Don's reputation for fairness also earned him bipartisan respect in 
Montgomery. In 2004, Governor Bob Riley appointed him to serve on the 
newly expanded Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles.
  His long political career also included runs for State Senate and 
State Representative in Baldwin County and service as an assistant 
district attorney.
  Don's public service was marked by his unwavering dedication to 
fighting crime as well as the rehabilitation of those convicted of 
crimes. Don was a founding board member of We Care Prison Ministries 
and the Lovelady Center. He was a charter member of the Fairhope Sunset 
Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow.
  On behalf of the people of Alabama, I offer condolence to his wife of 
46 years, Jeanne Kelly; their son, Kelly; their daughter, Heather; 
their eight grandchildren and their entire family and many friends You 
are all in our thoughts and prayers.

                          ____________________