CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 10, 2008 Public Service
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E2378 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 10, 2008 public service. He gave his life to ensure that dent George H.W. Bush appointed him as a HONORING THE MEMORY OF others could live without fear of violence or floor leader for the Southern Caucus. LAMBERT C. MIMS harm. For that, he is most certainly a hero for Bill was an officer in the United States which this country is eternally grateful. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Alabama Governors HON. JO BONNER George C. Wallace, Guy Hunt, and Jim Fol- Throughout his career, Special Agent Hicks OF ALABAMA som Jr. each appointed Bill as Lieutenant exemplified the FBI’s motto of Fidelity, Brav- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ery, and Integrity by serving and protecting the Colonel Aide-de-Camp. He was also ap- citizens of the United States. As a former spe- pointed by former U.S. Representative Jack Wednesday, December 10, 2008 cial agent, I know he will be sorely missed by Kemp as a member of the United States Con- Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of all those with whom he served. gressional Advisory Board. Bill also worked Mobile and the state of Alabama recently lost Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with the Volunteers of America of Alabama, a dear friend, and I rise today to honor former me in honoring and celebrating the life of one most recently serving as president. Bill served Mayor Lambert C. Mims and pay tribute to his of our Nation’s finest, Samuel K. Hicks, for his on the Shelton State Foundation, Friends of memory. model service to United States law enforce- Bryce Hospital, as well as other leadership po- With a public career spanning two decades, ment and his commitment to his country. He sitions with various other community and civic Mayor Mims’s tenure in office marked a period is truly deserving of America’s respect and ad- organizations. of significant growth for the city of Mobile, in- miration. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join cluding the completion of the George C. Wal- me in remembering a dedicated community f lace tunnels and the Interstate 10 Bayway, the leader and friend to many throughout south opening of the restored Fort Conde, the Ten- HONORING THE MEMORY OF Alabama. James William McFarland will be nessee-Tombigbee Waterway, and the first oil JAMES WILLIAM McFARLAND dearly missed by his family—his son, J.W. well in Mobile Bay. ‘‘Billy’’ McFarland Jr. and his wife, Sarah; his Born in the small farming town of Uriah in HON. JO BONNER daughter, Mimi McFarland Cawood and her south Monroe County, Mayor Mims grew up OF ALABAMA husband, Joseph; his brother, Ward Morrow on a cotton farm and was no stranger to hard IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES McFarland; and his nephew, Ward Weston work. He moved to Mobile at the age of 19 McFarland—as well as the countless friends Wednesday, December 10, 2008 and had called the city home ever since. In he leaves behind. 1965, he was elected to the Mobile City Com- Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the state of Our thoughts and prayers are with them all mission, becoming the youngest commissioner Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise during this difficult time. in Mobile’s history. When first elected, he today to honor James William MCFarland and f served as Public Works Commissioner. The pay tribute to his memory. TRIBUTE TO SUSAN FEISTNER commission rotated the title of mayor every 16 Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Bill grad- months and, during his tenure as mayor and uated from Tuscaloosa High School and grad- HON. LEE TERRY commissioner, he made public morality the uated with honors with a bachelor’s degree foundation of his administration, including the from the University of Alabama in Commerce OF NEBRASKA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES passage of an anti-pornography regulation. and Business Administration. He was named After leaving office, then-Governor George outstanding real estate graduate by the Ala- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 C. Wallace appointed Mayor Mims as ambas- bama Association of Realtors. Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I rise to sador to the Alabama Waterways Develop- After graduation, Bill served as director of honor the accomplishments of Susan Feistner. ment Agency. He later served as president of real estate for Winn Dixie Stores Incorporated Susie recently celebrated 10 years of service the American Public Works Association and in the Louisville, Kentucky division. In 1973, in my Omaha Congressional Office. She is a the Alabama League of Municipalities. he returned to Tuscaloosa as vice president of dedicated servant to the Second Congres- A long-time member and deacon at River- Ward McFarland Incorporated, a real estate sional District of Nebraska. She works hard side Baptist Church, Mayor Mims served as development and investment firm founded by and deserves accolades. president of the Alabama Baptist Brotherhood, his father, the Honorable Ward Wharton Susan Feistner serves as my Assistant Dis- the Alabama Baptist State Convention, the McFarland. trict Director and Senior Constituent Liaison in Mobile Baptist Association, and the Masonic In 1986, Bill was the Republican Nominee my Omaha Congressional Office. Susie han- Breakfast Club. He was a member of the Aza- for the U.S. House of Representatives for the dles immigration issues, and this is no small lea Masonic Lodge #898 F & AM, the Abba Seventh District of Alabama. The following task. Over the years, she has muddled Temple Shrine, West Mobile Kiwanis Club, the year, former Governor Guy Hunt appointed Bill through mounds of paperwork to find solutions CBMC and served as president of the Water- to his cabinet as commissioner of the Ala- for people and in many cases has reunited front Rescue Mission Advisory Board. bama Department of Mental Health and Retar- families, helped with adoptions of foreign-born Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join dation. During his two years as commissioner, children and obtained last-minute visas and me in remembering a dedicated community Bill was successful in pushing for the passage passports. She has also referred people to at- leader and friend to many throughout south of a $1 million bond for mental health, the torneys for help in becoming legal citizens, Alabama. Lambert C. Mims will be dearly largest in state history. The bond issue en- and she has helped many constituents navi- missed by his family—his wife, Reecie; his abled mental health facilities throughout Ala- gate through the tangle of U.S. Immigration sons, Dale P. Mims and L. Daniel Mims; his bama to renovate their facilities and improve laws. Her tireless service has made a dif- grandchildren, Lindsay C. Mims and Katie E. their quality of care. ference in thousands of lives. Mims; and his brother, Bibb Graves Mims—as Bill was also a founding member of the Over the years, Susie has also been active well as the countless friends he leaves behind. Southern High-Speed Rail Commission, and in Republican Party politics and has worked Our thoughts and prayers are with them all he served numerous terms as chairman, vice- for candidates up and down and the ballot. during this difficult time. chairman, and secretary/treasurer of the Ala- Her involvement in our political process is f bama, Louisiana, and Mississippi Rapid Rail much appreciated by me and the many others Transit Commission. Bill played a key role in she has supported. She has also been a CYPRUS inaugurating the Gulf Coast Limited Amtrak steadying hand in my District Office and has Service, which provided service to Alabama. acted as Molly Lloyd’s deputy when needed. HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS Bill was also active in state politics. He Her continuity has been a big plus for our OF FLORIDA served as chairman for three terms of the Tus- staff. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES caloosa County Republican Executive Com- Susie, today I offer you a heartfelt thank mittee. He served as a member of the Ala- you. Thank you for your dedication. I am ex- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 bama State Republican Executive Committee, tremely proud of your contributions over the Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise including one term as seventh district vice- past 10 years. I am blessed to have such a today as a member of the House Committee chairman of the Alabama Republican Party. professional and hard working individual on on Foreign Affairs and co-chair of the Con- Bill was elected alternate delegate to the 1988 my team. Without your help and guidance, I gressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues to shed Republican National Convention and was would not be where I am today. It is a privi- light on disheartening developments that have elected statewide as delegate to the 1992 Re- lege and an honor to have you on my staff taken place recently off the coast of the Re- publican National Convention, at which Presi- Thank you again. public of Cyprus. 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