On Friday, former U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Alabama) was back home in Tuscaloosa, where the courthouse and federal building were renamed in his honor.
Judge L. Scott Coogler said that Shelby “has touched each and every one of our lives.”
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said, “I am proud to join this historic occasion to pay tribute to Richard Shelby.”
Ivey applauded the naming of the Courthouse in Shelby’s honor.
“What an appropriate way to honor Richard Shelby,” Ivey said. “He laid the groundwork for our state’s economic development.”
“In March, the Alabama Legislature held a joint session to honor Richard Shelby,” Ivey continued. “Thank you to Richard Shelby for his dedicated service to the State of Alabama.”
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said, “It is a privilege to be here today to celebrate the life of this man.”
Marshall applauded the many projects that Shelby brought to the state, “What has truly been achieved far exceeds any dollar amount.”
“Senator, thank you for your service, and may God bless you,” Marshall said.
Federal judge and former Alabama Attorney General Bill Pryor said, “In 2009, I was here to celebrate the groundbreaking of this Courthouse. I thank Senator Shelby for his leadership for making this building possible. He could not be here then because he was in Washington attending to the nation’s business.”
“If there is anything more important than securing the peace and prosperity of the nation, it is the rule of law,” stated Pryor.
Pryor said that a federal courthouse secures the rights of the people every day.
“Senator Shelby has recommended the names of many talented lawyers who have served and continue to serve as federal judges,” said Pryor. The judges applauded Shelby for “his lifelong commitment to defending the Constitution of the United States.”
“Thank you for being a friend to the courts of the federal judiciary,” Pryor said.
U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) said, “I have the best job of the day. I get to introduce Senator Shelby. It is truly an honor to introduce such a legendary Alabamian.”
Britt thanked Senator Shelby “for his vision and his determination.”
Katie Britt was an intern for Shelby, who later joined his staff, rising to the level of Chief of Staff. She returned to public life in 2022, winning Shelby’s open seat after he retired.
“At a time when so many people wanted to serve in order to generate a headline, you genuinely wanted to serve,” Britt said.
Sen. Shelby thanked the Governor, Britt, and everyone else for attending Friday’s event.
“Thank you all very, very much for this great honor,” Shelby said
Shelby’s grandchildren then unveiled a portrait of the Senator that will hang in the Courthouse.
Shelby represented Alabama in the U.S. Senate from 1987 to 2022. He represented Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District from 1979 to 1986. He represented Tuscaloosa in the Alabama Senate from 1970 to 1978. Before becoming an elected official, Shelby worked as an assistant Alabama Attorney General and prosecutor for the City of Tuscaloosa.
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