[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 159 (Tuesday, September 15, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5601-S5602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Remembering Robert Edington

  Madam President, just a few weeks ago Alabama lost one of its most 
distinguished and dedicated citizens, and I lost a great friend. Robert 
Edington, of Mobile, AL, died peacefully on July 26 with his beloved 
wife of 58 years, Patricia, at his side. I rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of this patriot; this public servant; this devoted husband, 
father, grandfather, and friend.
  Robert was born in Mobile on November 18, 1929, and Mobile remained 
in his blood until the day he died. The son of a local judge, Robert 
earned his undergraduate degree at Rhodes College but came back home 
for his law degree at the University of Alabama.
  He served our Nation in the military while on Active Duty with the 
U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. During his active military career as a 
Navy operations officer, Robert was awarded the Korean Service Medal 
with two battle stars, the China Service Medal, the United Nations 
Service Medal, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.
  Robert truly loved his service to this country and the U.S. Navy, 
prompting him to remain with the Navy Active Reserve until 1980, when 
he retired as commander.
  Robert Edington was one of Mobile's most prominent lawyers and 
community leaders for over 60 years. He served three terms in the 
Alabama Legislature, first as a State representative from 1962 to 1970 
and then in the State senate from 1970 to 1974.
  As a member of the Alabama Legislature, he played a pivotal role in 
establishing the University of South Alabama and the university's 
college of medicine. He actively furthered the development of Bishop 
State Community College, one of Alabama's great historically Black 
colleges and universities, of which I am so proud.
  The National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, DC, 
presented him with their national award for his role in establishing 
the Alabama Historical Commission.
  But his love for the Navy continued on prominent display even as a 
legislator, authoring the legislation that created the USS Alabama 
Battleship Commission, bringing the USS Alabama home to Mobile 
following her retirement from Active Duty. He served on that commission 
from 1963 to 1972 and served as its chairman, but his passion for the 
battleship and all it stands for never wavered, and he was once again 
appointed to the battleship commission in the year 2000.
  In addition, Robert served as the Alabama President and National 
Director of the Navy League of the United States, where he supported 
port visits of Navy vessels for important occasions that included some 
just fun occasions like the Mardi Gras in Mobile.
  Back in his hometown of Mobile, Robert was an active member of the 
Mobile Bar Association, where at one time he served as the director of 
the bar's Volunteer Lawyers Program. He was a member of the Mobile 
Kiwanis Club and the Mobile American Legion.
  As Mobile's Consul to Guatemala for 20 years, Robert organized 
Mobile's first trade mission to Central America, earning him the U.S. 
Department of Commerce's Achievement Award.
  In 2007, Robert's dedication to the community and the city of Mobile 
was

[[Page S5602]]

recognized when he received the Mobilian of the Year Award. In 2008, 
the following year, he was named the Rhodes College Alumnus of the 
Year, and in 2012, he received the distinguished honor of being named 
the Mobile Area Veteran of the Year.
  When I think of Robert's great accomplishments, of all of those that 
we have talked about and listed, he will tell you that his greatest 
honor was marrying the love of his life, Patricia, in 1962 and having 
son Sherard, daughter Virginia, and a granddaughter, Courtney. With all 
that Robert was involved in, he was first and foremost a family man.
  I have been blessed to have Robert and Pat Edington as great and dear 
friends for many, many years. Together, we have toiled in the vineyards 
of Alabama politics for longer than we can all remember. Robert, at one 
time, even had his eyes on the U.S. Senate seat. But as devoted as 
Robert was to the Democratic Party, he was also a man committed to the 
greater good, to working with anyone to make Mobile, AL, make the State 
of Alabama, and make America a better place for everyone, leaving a 
legacy of dedication and commitment to love of God, love of country, 
love of community, and love of family that is an extraordinary example 
for others to follow.
  Our world, especially in today's climate, needs more Robert 
Edingtons.