[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 23]
[Senate]
[Page 31809]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       REMEMBERING PIERRE PELHAM

 Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I pay tribute to Pierre Pelham, a 
former colleague of mine in the Alabama State Senate, who recently 
passed away. He was a personal friend and, along with his family, I 
mourn his passing.
  A native of Chatom, AL, and a resident of Mobile, AL, Pierre was born 
on July 20, 1929, to Judge and Mrs. Joe M. Pelham, Jr. An incredibly 
bright student, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of 
Alabama and received his J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School. During 
the Korean war, Pierre served as a captain in the Army and received 
both the Combat Infantryman Badge and Expert Infantryman Badge.
  After his service in the Army, Pierre returned to Alabama and began 
to practice law. Described by many as brilliant, Pierre often took on 
cases that other lawyers did not want. One of his more interesting 
cases involved representing Aristotle Onassis' wife in her divorce from 
the wealthy shipping magnate.
  In the 1960s, Pierre began to pursue his interest in politics. He 
served as the national campaign coordinator for Governor George Wallace 
and later as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from 
Alabama's 1st Congressional District in 1960 and 1964. In 1966, Pierre 
was elected to serve in the Alabama State Senate. It was there that I 
had the distinct pleasure of working with him.
  In 1970, Pierre was elected to serve as president pro tempore of the 
Senate. Pierre was renowned by our colleagues as an excellent orator 
and an exceptionally persuasive State senator. When word would spread 
around the State capitol that Pierre was speaking on the senate floor, 
it was not uncommon for the gallery to fill with spectators and for 
members of the House to cross over to the Senate to watch what would 
surely be an extraordinary speech. His articulation and command of the 
English language were simply captivating.
  Although Pierre eventually retired from public life, as a fellow of 
Harvard's Kennedy Institute of Politics, he remained interested in 
national, State, and local affairs his entire life. Most people in 
Mobile will remember Pierre for his many contributions as a State 
senator to South Alabama, most notably his support for the creation of 
the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. I knew him to be 
honest, hardworking, and a committed State senator. He remained 
dedicated to his family and the people of Alabama throughout his life.
  Pierre is loved and respected and will be missed by his wife Eva 
Pelham; his sons Marc Pelham and Joseph Pelham, IV; his daughters 
Pierrette Prestridge and Patrice Pelham; and 12 grandchildren. I ask 
the entire Senate to join me in recognizing and honoring the life of my 
friend, Pierre Pelham.

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