[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 39 (Thursday, April 7, 2005)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E574-E575] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING THE MEMORY OF THE HON. HOWELL HEFLIN ______ HON. JO BONNER of alabama in the house of representatives Wednesday, April 6, 2005 Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, the entire state of Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor him and pay tribute to his memory. Senator Howell Heflin was a devoted family man and dedicated public servant throughout his entire life, someone who devoted nearly a quarter-century in public service to the residents of Alabama. Born on June 19, 1921, the son of Reverend and Mrs. Marvin Heflin, Senator Heflin was a native of Poulan, Georgia, and spent his childhood moving from one Alabama community to another before his family settled in Colbert County. He was a 1942 graduate of Birmingham-Southern College. Within a short time following his graduation, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served during World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was wounded twice during his service and was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action before being discharged in 1946. Following the completion of his military obligations, he enrolled in the law school at the University of Alabama and graduated from that institution in 1948. From 1948 until 1970, Senator Heflin worked as a prosecuting attorney in the City of Tuscumbia before winning election as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. For the next six years, he served with distinction on the court and is known for many accomplishments during that time, including implementing large reforms of the state court system that eliminated years of backlogged cases. He earned so much respect for his work as Chief Justice that, even after having been elected to the United States Senate, friends, colleagues, and admirers continued to refer to him as ``The Judge.'' First elected to the Senate in 1978, Senator Heflin served with distinction for 18 years and ably represented the interests of all Alabamians. During his three terms, he served most notably as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and as both chairman and vice chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, a position he held for 12 years. Additionally, he served as a member of that body's Agriculture Committee and was a strong and able advocate for the interests of Alabama's agricultural community. During his three terms in Congress, Senator Heflin developed a reputation of working with his colleagues to find common ground on numerous issues, and always with the best interests of his constituents at heart. Many times, he put partisanship aside to support issues for which he saw great benefit, but which others were actively working to oppose. And while his personal views tended towards the conservative end of the spectrum on defense and financial matters, he was more progressive on social issues. In fact, two African-American federal judges from Alabama, U.W. Clemon of Birmingham and Myron Thompson of Montgomery, were both championed by Senator Heflin. In an article appearing in the Mobile Register following the senator's death, former Alabama Congressman Sonny Callahan was quoted as saying, ``He was always there for us when we needed him. We had common goals for Alabama and worked towards those goals.'' Perhaps these words more than many others spoken in the days following his passing are an accurate summation of the tremendous work completed during his long career and of the faith and trust he in turn earned from his constituents. [[Page E575]] Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated public servant and long-time advocate for the state of Alabama, a man whose significant impact and dedication to the needs and interests of his constituents will be felt for many years to come. Senator Heflin will be deeply missed by his family--his wife, Elizabeth Ann Heflin, his son, Tom Heflin, and his two grandchildren--as well as the countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time. ____________________