[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4672]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE DELANO PALUGHI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 25, 2003

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of 
the Honorable Delano Palughi, who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly 
last Saturday, February 22, 2003. Judge Palughi, who served with 
distinction on the Mobile County District Court, was a pillar of the 
Mobile community and a man whose character and generosity towards 
others will be remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know him.
  Judge Palughi was deeply religious and attended mass daily, often at 
St. Mary's Catholic Church. His reverence for his country was strong as 
he opened his courtroom every morning with the Pledge of Allegiance. 
His dedication to his community and fellow man throughout his law 
practice, which he maintained for 40 years, and as Mobile County 
District Court Judge since his election in 1998, prompted the 
attendance of more than 600 family, friends, fellow judges and 
colleagues at the service honoring his life. Judge Palughi will be 
honored and remembered not only for his service to his community but 
for his unwillingness and inability to turn down an indigent 
prospective client during his many years practicing law. He represented 
the poor and downtrodden when others would not. The Reverend Paul 
Zoghby recognized Judge Palughi's kindness and humility and stated, at 
the service, that ``If he's not there (in Heaven), I don't think the 
rest of us have a chance.'' His charitable nature will be missed 
amongst the legal community and the City of Mobile.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to pay tribute to the life of Delano 
Palughi. Judge Palughi's love for his wife of 33 years, Frances; his 
two sons, Vincent and Anthony; his brother, Peter; two grandchildren, 
family, friends and his church was the foundation of his compassionate 
and charitable manner towards clients and those who appeared before him 
as District Court Judge. I would like to extend my prayers and deepest 
sympathies to his family and friends.

                          ____________________