[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 33 (Friday, February 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E133-E134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE LIFE OF GENERAL ALBEN ``AL'' HOPKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 17, 2023

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
life or General Alben ``Al'' Norris Hopkins. Al, who passed away on 
February 12, 2023, was a giant who contributed to his community through 
his practice in law, military service, and business ventures. His life 
exemplified leadership, mentorship, and scholarship. He was also known 
as a man of integrity, work ethic, and faith.
  Al was born in Ripley, Mississippi, on February 14, 1941. He grew up 
in Walnut, Mississippi where he also attended school, graduating from 
Walnut Center High School in 1959. In addition to being on the Honor 
Roll, an FFA Star Farmer, and achieving the rank of an Eagle Scout, he 
was a four-year varsity letterman in both basketball and baseball.
  His scholarship included the obtaining of several degrees. He began 
his studies by attending Delta State University on an athletic 
scholarship, graduating in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in both 
English and history. Subsequently, he attended the University of 
Mississippi School of Law, where he completed his juris doctorate in 
1965. In time, he would attend William Carey University, receiving his 
Bachelors of Biblical Studies. In 2010, he received an honorary Master 
of Laws degree

[[Page E134]]

from Mississippi College School of Law. Additional theological studies 
included scholarship through Jerusalem, Israel; the Biblical 
Archeological Society at Oxford University; Keble College and St. 
Edmund Hall; and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
  Once he completed his studies in law, he became part of the third-
largest law firm in Mississippi. He would go on to found his own law 
firm in 1977 in Gulfport, Mississippi: Hopkins, Barvie & Hopkins. He 
later devoted 13 years of his life as chief judge of the Court of 
Military Appeals. Additionally, to his own law firm, Al was president 
of ANH Enterprises and Muddy River Farms.
  Al enlisted in military service in 1965, joining the 31st Infantry 
Division. As part of his military career, he graduated from the Judge 
Advocate General's School in Charlottesville, Virginia, serving as a 
Staff Judge Advocate for the Mississippi Army National Guard for over 
two decades. In his final four years of military service, he was the 
Assistant Adjutant General of the State of Mississippi. He retired as a 
Major General in 1996, having earned many awards, including the Legion 
of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, 
the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Component Achievement 
Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve 
Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the MS Magnolia Cross, the MS Magnolia 
Medal, the MS War Medal, the MS Emergency Service Medal, and the MS 
Longevity Medal. He was also a Mississippi National Guard Foundation 
Life Member.
  More recently, Al was known for his work with the Mississippi Gaming 
Commission. He had been reappointed for a third term, which would have 
lasted until 2025. He had served as both a commissioner and chairman, 
beginning his service as chairman in 2015.
  Al gave to others through the gift of time, being a mentor to many 
Mississippians. He also gave of his time through being a Sunday school 
teacher, a man of prayer, and a deacon at First Baptist Church in 
Gulfport.
  Al is preceded in death by his father, Lloyd Carter Hopkins; his 
mother, Reba Norris Hopkins; his brother, Lloyd Gerald Hopkins; and his 
daughter, Ashley Anne. He is survived by his wife, Johna Ruth Hopkins, 
who is from Walnut, Mississippi; their son, Norris Hopkins (Jodie); his 
grandson, Carter Houston Hopkins; his sister, Lana Moss (Harvey); and 
his nieces and nephews.

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