[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5944-5945]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO SENATOR HOWELL HEFLIN

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR.

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 2005

  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, with profound sadness, I rise today to honor 
the life of former U.S. Senator Howell Heflin. Senator Heflin served in 
the U.S. Senate on behalf of the State of Alabama for 18 years. He was 
a nationally known and popular Senator, who fought tirelessly for the 
people of Alabama. He passed away on March 31, 2005 at the age of 83.
  Before his election to the Senate, Senator Heflin was Chief Justice 
of the Alabama State Supreme Court. As Chief Justice, he was the lead 
author of the Alabama Judicial Code, which reformed Alabama's outdated 
legal system. His grass roots efforts established a model for future 
constitutional reform not only in Alabama but across the nation.
  During his time in the Senate he was known for his sharp wit and deep 
understanding of the issues being addressed by Congress. He had an 
innate ability to describe difficult and complex subjects in such a way 
that most anyone could understand and form an opinion on them.
  Senator Heflin was a strong advocate for civil rights, the Marshall 
Space Flight Center, Redstone Arsenal, the Tennessee Valley Authority, 
and southern agriculture along with many others. His work helped lay 
the foundation for the new technological economy of North Alabama.
  Senator Heflin was respectably referred to by his colleagues as ``The 
Judge,'' because of his position as Chief Justice and his long tenure 
as Chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee. It was said that he ruled 
over the Chamber with an iron fist and demanded his fellow Senators 
live up to higher standards.
  Mr. Speaker, Senator Heflin commanded respect from his colleagues, 
and made the least among us feel as important as anyone else. He was a 
friend to me during and after his

[[Page 5945]]

time in Washington. He will be missed by all who knew him.
  On behalf of everyone in North Alabama, I respectively rise to honor 
and pay tribute to a great American leader.

                          ____________________