Barbara Mikulski: “I, too, wish to speak in morning business. What a passing of a great generation. I, too, want to pay my respects to…”

“I, too, wish to speak in morning business. What a passing of a great generation. I, too, want to pay my respects to Senator Heflin, an outstanding Senator, a wonderful Senator from Alabama. When I came to the Senate in 1987, he was one of the men of the Senate who welcomed me with graciousness. He introduced me to hand-pulled barbecue from Alabama. He also introduced me to the Marshall Space Program. I had the opportunity to work with him in terms of creating jobs in Alabama and also creating opportunity through the Space Program. He embodied the qualities of hard work, honesty, humility, and humor, and he left this earth with a great legacy. Senator Heflin died on March 29, 2005, last week. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Heflin; a son, Howard Thomas Heflin, Jr.; a daughter-in-law, Corneila Hood Heflin; grandson Wilson Charmichael Heflin; and a granddaughter, Mary Catherine Heflin. Senator Heflin was devoted to his family, his State, and his country. As a World War II hero, he put his love of country above all else. He made remarkable contributions to Alabama and the Nation as a whole. His warmhearted personality will be remembered by all who knew him well. We will all miss him. We will certainly miss him in the Senate. I yield the floor. ____________________”