[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21957]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE MEMORY OF REO KIRKLAND JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Brewton and the state of 
Alabama lost a dear friend last week, and I rise today to honor Reo 
Kirkland Jr. and pay tribute to his memory.
  A native and life-long resident of Brewton, Reo graduated from T.R. 
Miller High School and earned his bachelor's degree at Auburn 
University. He completed his education by earning his law degree from 
Jones School of Law.
  Reo went on to serve as assistant district attorney and founded the 
firm, Reo Kirkland Attorney at Law. He also served two terms as an 
Alabama state senator and was the longtime chairman of the Escambia 
County Democratic Executive Committee.
  An avid outdoorsman, Reo was a certified hunting guide in Maine and a 
delegator for the Alabama Wildlife Commission.
  The Brewton Standard remembered Reo Kirkland as one of the ``last 
great Southern lawyers.'' History, perhaps, will most remember Reo as 
the delegate who nominated his mother for president during Alabama's 
roll call vote at the 1984 Democratic National Convention. Friends and 
colleagues remembered him as a passionate prosecutor, and District 
Attorney Steve Billy said Reo was ``one of the finest prosecutors in 
the state.''
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a 
dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout south Alabama. 
Reo Kirkland Jr. will be dearly missed by his family--his son, Reo 
Kirkland III; his brother, Karl Kirkland; and his sister, Jean--as well 
as the countless friends he leaves behind.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with them all during this difficult 
time.

                          ____________________