Honoring the Memory of the Hon. William Henry McDermott

HONORING THE MEMORY OF THE HON. WILLIAM HENRY McDERMOTT -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 15, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. JO BONNER
OF ALABAMA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2004

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, Mobile County, AL, and indeed the entire First Congressional District, recently lost a dear friend and I rise today to honor him and pay tribute to his memory.

Judge William Henry McDermott was a devoted family man and dedicated public servant throughout his 50-year career in public service.

A former member of both the Alabama State House and Senate, Judge McDermott turned down an appointment to the bench in Mobile County in 1970, feeling called instead to devote his time to a law practice that would enable him to support his large family. Thirty years later, he ran for-and won-election to a six-year term on the circuit court and until his untimely death, served with distinction in this position.

Unfortunately, Judge McDermott was only recently diagnosed with cancer. However, even in the face of such difficult news, his first thoughts were of selecting the best possible replacement to ensure that the judicial system would not be adversely affected and that the wheels of justice would continue to turn.

In addition to his distinguished career in the state legislature and on the circuit court, Judge McDermott also served with pride in the United States military and was, for a time, the city attorney for Chickasaw, AL.

At the time of his passing, I remarked that Judge McDermott had a heart as big as the state of Texas and that his death would create a large void in the fabric of the Mobile community. In the days since his death, those sentiments have in no way lessened.

The Judge and his lovely wife, Katie, were fixtures in the life of our community for many years and together, they worked in numerous ways, both publicly and behind the scenes, to make life much better for the people of south Alabama.

Not surprisingly, the dedication and care Judge McDermott devoted to community service was constantly on display in his service on the bench. In fact, his attention to even the smallest detail in the cases he heard became legendary around the courthouse, and he was always striving to render a fair decision to all concerned.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated public servant and long-time advocate for all of south Alabama. Judge McDermott will be deeply missed by his family-his wife, Catherine O'Brien McDermott; his daughters, Elizabeth O'Neill, Annette Carwie, Jeanne Marie Cruthirds, Michelle Mayberry, Mary Claire Wacker, Catherine Williamson, and Maureen McDermott; his son, William Joseph McDermott; and his two brothers, Charles L. McDermott and Edward B. McDermott-as well as the countless friends he leaves behind.

Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time.

END