The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“Remembering Robert Edington (Executive Calendar)” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Senate section on pages S5601-S5602 on Sept. 15, 2020.
The Department includes the Census Bureau, which is used to determine many factors about American life. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department is involved in misguided foreign trade policies and is home to many unneeded programs.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
Remembering Robert Edington
Madam President, just a few weeks ago Alabama lost one of its most distinguished and dedicated citizens, and I lost a great friend. Robert Edington, of Mobile, AL, died peacefully on July 26 with his beloved wife of 58 years, Patricia, at his side. I rise today to honor the life and legacy of this patriot; this public servant; this devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Robert was born in Mobile on November 18, 1929, and Mobile remained in his blood until the day he died. The son of a local judge, Robert earned his undergraduate degree at Rhodes College but came back home for his law degree at the University of Alabama.
He served our Nation in the military while on Active Duty with the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. During his active military career as a Navy operations officer, Robert was awarded the Korean Service Medal with two battle stars, the China Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.
Robert truly loved his service to this country and the U.S. Navy, prompting him to remain with the Navy Active Reserve until 1980, when he retired as commander.
Robert Edington was one of Mobile's most prominent lawyers and community leaders for over 60 years. He served three terms in the Alabama Legislature, first as a State representative from 1962 to 1970 and then in the State senate from 1970 to 1974.
As a member of the Alabama Legislature, he played a pivotal role in establishing the University of South Alabama and the university's college of medicine. He actively furthered the development of Bishop State Community College, one of Alabama's great historically Black colleges and universities, of which I am so proud.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, DC, presented him with their national award for his role in establishing the Alabama Historical Commission.
But his love for the Navy continued on prominent display even as a legislator, authoring the legislation that created the USS Alabama Battleship Commission, bringing the USS Alabama home to Mobile following her retirement from Active Duty. He served on that commission from 1963 to 1972 and served as its chairman, but his passion for the battleship and all it stands for never wavered, and he was once again appointed to the battleship commission in the year 2000.
In addition, Robert served as the Alabama President and National Director of the Navy League of the United States, where he supported port visits of Navy vessels for important occasions that included some just fun occasions like the Mardi Gras in Mobile.
Back in his hometown of Mobile, Robert was an active member of the Mobile Bar Association, where at one time he served as the director of the bar's Volunteer Lawyers Program. He was a member of the Mobile Kiwanis Club and the Mobile American Legion.
As Mobile's Consul to Guatemala for 20 years, Robert organized Mobile's first trade mission to Central America, earning him the U.S. Department of Commerce's Achievement Award.
In 2007, Robert's dedication to the community and the city of Mobile was recognized when he received the Mobilian of the Year Award. In 2008, the following year, he was named the Rhodes College Alumnus of the Year, and in 2012, he received the distinguished honor of being named the Mobile Area Veteran of the Year.
When I think of Robert's great accomplishments, of all of those that we have talked about and listed, he will tell you that his greatest honor was marrying the love of his life, Patricia, in 1962 and having son Sherard, daughter Virginia, and a granddaughter, Courtney. With all that Robert was involved in, he was first and foremost a family man.
I have been blessed to have Robert and Pat Edington as great and dear friends for many, many years. Together, we have toiled in the vineyards of Alabama politics for longer than we can all remember. Robert, at one time, even had his eyes on the U.S. Senate seat. But as devoted as Robert was to the Democratic Party, he was also a man committed to the greater good, to working with anyone to make Mobile, AL, make the State of Alabama, and make America a better place for everyone, leaving a legacy of dedication and commitment to love of God, love of country, love of community, and love of family that is an extraordinary example for others to follow.
Our world, especially in today's climate, needs more Robert Edingtons.
