Tommy Tuberville salutes retiring Richard Shelby
On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville spoke on the Senate floor saluting Sen. Richard Shelby, who is retiring at the end of this term after 44 years of congressional service – 36 of them in the U.S. Senate. “To say Senator Shelby committed his career to the betterment of his state and nation would be a huge understatement,” Tuberville said. “His retirement is well earned, and his work should be celebrated.” Tuberville entered the Senate after a long career coaching college football, including serving as the head football coach at the University of Mississippi, Auburn University, Texas Tech, and Cincinnati. “It was quite the transition from college football to politics, but I jumped into the ring because I care deeply about the future of our nation — and I realized very quickly, so does Richard Shelby,” Tuberville said. “My transition to public office was supported by some great advisors who shared my belief in America. Chief among those allies is Senator Shelby…Congress is like a football team; it has a lot of great players in different positions. But to come together, form a game plan, and get some wins for our country, those players need good coaches. Senator Shelby has been one of the best.” “Today, I want to honor the countless hours — countless hours — he has spent fighting for Alabama and the many achievements he has championed for the betterment of all Americans,” Tuberville continued. “Senator Shelby’s work has hit almost every corner of Alabama…His focus on national defense, manufacturing, infrastructure, and education will be the hallmarks of his legacy.” “His support for America’s military and belief in the abilities of Alabamians cemented our state’s role as a leader in America’s national defense infrastructure,” Tuberville said. “Second, thanks to Senator Shelby’s commitment to bringing jobs and industry to Alabama, our state has also grown into one of the country’s leading manufacturing hubs…Third, that growth would not be possible without solid infrastructure, which Senator Shelby has helped build for decades… Fourth, all of this growth — in defense, manufacturing, infrastructure, and more — would mean nothing without the talented men and women who serve our military, lead our companies, and pioneer the new industries driving economic development. That talent and those are cultivated through education — and Senator Shelby believes in the value of a quality education.” “As we bid farewell to Senator Shelby, I encourage all my colleagues to honor his legacy by following his example,” Tuberville concluded. “Put your family, your country, and your principles first — and the rest will fall into place. We all know public service is not just a burden of time and effort for the servant but also for their families. So, to Dr. [Annette] Shelby — thank you for your steadfast service to our state alongside your husband. And, to Senator Shelby — thank you for your mentorship over the past two years. I will use these lessons learned by serving you for the rest of my time in the Senate and beyond.” Shelby represented Tuscaloosa in the Alabama State Senate from 1970 to 1978. He represented Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1979 to 1987. He was elected to the United State Senate in 1986 and re-elected five times. Shelby is 87 years old. Shelby is the outgoing Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Steve Flowers: Alabama will miss Richard Shelby, immensely
In only 21 short months, at the close of 2022, Alabama will lose the greatest senator in our state’s history. Those of us who are political historians will acknowledge Richard Shelby as Alabama’s most pronounced political emissary in Washington. In my 2015 book, Six Decades of Alabama Political History, I have a chapter titled “Alabama’s Three Greatest Senators,” which features Lister Hill, John Sparkman, and Richard Shelby. Lister Hill and John Sparkman were icons but, if we’re writing that chapter today, Richard Shelby would be alone as the premier “Giant of Alabama.” Hill served in the Senate for 30 years and Sparkman for 32 years. Shelby eclipsed Sparkman’s record two years ago and at the end of his term will set the bar at 36 years. It should also be noted that Senators Shelby, Hill, and Sparkman served nearly a decade or more in the U.S. House of Representatives. Senator Shelby is now in his 43rd year in Washington. Seniority is king and paramount in assessing power under the Capitol dome. However, what you do with that seniority is what makes one great. The average voter and citizen of our beloved state does not comprehend the magnitude of the federal largesse that Richard Shelby has brought home to the Heart of Dixie. His strength, power, and resolve have resulted in countless improvements to every corner of our state. It would take volumes and annals to chronicle the federal dollars that Shelby has funneled to Alabama throughout his career. Beginning with the coastal area of Mobile and the Docks, to the Wiregrass and Fort Rucker, to Montgomery’s Maxwell and Gunter; to UAB in Birmingham, and finally Shelby’s impact on the growth and prosperity of the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, are incomprehensible. Folks, when you combine all of the aforementioned economic engines, we are not talking about a couple million extra federal dollars but more like hundreds of millions of federal dollars. Shelby has been the savior of these centers of economic growth and employment in our state. The two most important, UAB and Redstone Arsenal, owe their growth and prosperity to Shelby’s ability to bring home the bacon. He has had the most profound impact over the last few years as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. He very adroitly kept in conjunction the Chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations. If you do not think defense dollars are important to Alabamians, simply ask the folks in the Wiregrass and Montgomery’s River Region what Ft. Rucker and Maxwell/Gunter mean to them. Also, Huntsville would be a sleepy little cotton town if it were not for the Redstone Arsenal. While Shelby was not in the U.S. Senate when these facilities were placed in Alabama, you can bet your bottom dollar that they have flourished, prospered, and more than likely survived because of Richard Shelby. Senator Shelby and I have been friends for over 35 years. I was a part of his inaugural 1986 triumphant election to the Senate. To know him personally is to see a man that you instantly recognize as a once-in-a-lifetime giant. He is extremely witty and personable with a keen lawyer’s mind that analyzes your words as soon as they come out of your mouth. Indeed, he was a brilliant and very successful lawyer before entering Congress. If he had not gone into politics, he could have become a billionaire as a Wall Street Lawyer. As Shelby eloquently said in his retirement statement, there is a time for every season. He will be 87 in May of this year and 88 at the end of this term. He deserves some private years. He enjoys time with his wife and best friend of over 60 years, Annette Shelby. He will enjoy being at home in his beloved Tuscaloosa and hunting occasionally with his buddies, Joe Perkins and Judge L. Scott Coogler. Maybe he will have time to reminisce with some of us who like to share old Alabama political stories. In closing, there will be plenty of time to observe the fray that will be developing to follow the legend of Richard Shelby, but no one will ever fill his shoes. As I traversed the state doing television interviews the day of Shelby’s announcement, I became melancholy and almost tearful for Alabama’s sake. While driving between Montgomery and Birmingham, I had a lengthy telephone conversation with the lady who has been Shelby’s real Chief of Staff, confidant, and gatekeeper his entire career in Congress. She very aptly told me to tell the people of Alabama that whoever follows Shelby, even if brilliant, will be 20 years in waiting and learning before they will be able to wield any power. She is correct. Seniority is king in Washington. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
