[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 23]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 32233]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE MEMORY OF THE HON. DEVON WIGGINS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 8, 2003

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, Escambia County, AL, and indeed the entire 
First Congressional District, recently lost a dear friend, and I rise 
today to honor him and pay tribute to his memory.
  Judge Devon Wiggins was a devoted family man and dedicated public 
servant throughout his entire life. Following a lengthy tenure on the 
Escambia County Commission, twelve years of which he spent as the 
commission chairman, Judge Wiggins was elected to the position of Judge 
of Probate, a position he held until his retirement three years ago. 
Throughout his professional career, he was dedicated to bringing better 
opportunities to all the residents of Escambia County and was a 
tireless advocate for local business and industry. He also was 
dedicated to making himself and other county offices as accessible as 
possible to the general public and, through his efforts, garnered the 
respect and admiration of many individuals in both the public and 
private sectors.
  As a small business owner in Brewton, Alabama, Judge Wiggins was 
extremely familiar with the challenges and goals of running a 
successful business and providing employment opportunities for 
hardworking men and women. It was this background and his tremendous 
work ethic which became hallmarks of his career in public office and 
which marked his efforts on behalf of all residents of Escambia County.
  Judge Wiggins was also actively involved in his community, 
participating in church-related organizations and taking a leadership 
role in the activities of the Brewton Lions Club. His devotion to his 
fellow man was unmatched, and I do not think there will ever be a full 
accounting of the many people he helped over the course of his 
lifetime.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a 
dedicated public servant and long-time advocate for Escambia County, 
Alabama. Judge Wiggins will be deeply missed by his family--his wife, 
Nell Wiggins, his daughters, Dawn Wiggins Hare, Donna Wiggins Schlager, 
and Daphne Wiggins Martin, his son, Maxwell Devon Wiggins, and his six 
grandchildren--as well as the countless friends he leaves behind. Our 
thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time.

                          ____________________