Vanguard

Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: News

The Mobilian of the Year banquet, honoring 2007 recipient Robert S. Edington, was held at the USA Mitchell Center April 1.
Community leaders, including Mobile Mayor Sam Jones and Alabama Circuit Judge Edmond Naman, gathered to pay tribute to Edington for his work in the Mobile community.
More than 300 tickets were sold for the award banquet, which began at 6 p.m. with a reception. A three-course meal was served at the black-tie-optional affair.
The University of South Alabama, in conjunction with the Cottage Hill Civitan Club, hosted the up-scale banquet. Civitan President Randall H. Eckhoff served as the master of ceremonies.
Edington's son Sherard, a Presbyterian minister in Tennessee, delivered a light-hearted opening prayer. The USA Army ROTC presented the colors and USA music major Andre Chiang sang the national anthem.
South Alabama President V. Gordon Moulton welcomed the audience. Moulton referred to Edington as a "special friend and neighbor," citing that the two live "side-by-side on the Bay."
Following dinner, Judge Naman offered his praise for the work Edington and his wife, Pat, have done to improve the community.
At Edington's request, his own pastor, Dr. Norman H. McCrummen III of Springhill Presbyterian Church, presented the recipient's qualifications.
After graduating from the University of Alabama's law school in 1956, Edington joined the U.S. Navy and served as an intelligence officer in the Korean War. Edington went on to spend 12 years in Montgomery, first serving in the Alabama House of Representatives and then the State Senate.
During his time in the legislature, Edington co-sponsored the bill that created the University of South Alabama and the USA Medical School. Edington also created the commission that saved the World War II battleship U.S.S Alabama from the scrap heap and moved it to Mobile in the 1960s. Edington served two terms as chair of the U.S.S Alabama Commission, and he continues to be a part of the commission to this day. Among countless other accomplishments, Edington is also a charter member of Mobile United and directs the Mobile Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program.
A short video containing pictures of Edington during different times in his life was shown before Mayor Jones presented him with the Bienville plaque.
Jones acknowledged Edington for his "tremendous contribution to the community over several years in almost every area." Jones also gave Edington a declaration designating April 1, 2008 Robert S. Edington Day.
Edington's humble response gave thanks to many others in the Mobile community. Edington acknowledged that he could not have accomplished what he has without the cooperation of others.
"You get things done for your city by working together," Edington said.
Edington closed with a quote he heard from his minister several weeks ago that impressed him: "Service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy on this Earth."
Before closing the ceremony, Eckhoff presented Edington and his wife with letters of congratulations from Alabama Governor Bob Riley, Senator Richard Shelby, Senator Jeff Sessions, Congressman Jo Bonner, former Vice President Al Gore and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools