congressional_record: CREC-1994-12-20-pt1-PgS29
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| CREC-1994-12-20-pt1-PgS29 | 1994-12-20 | 103 | 2 | TRIBUTE TO BEN H. CRAIG | SENATE | SENATE | FRONTMATTER | S | S | [{"name": "Howell Heflin", "role": "speaking"}] | 140 Cong. Rec. S | Congressional Record, Volume 140 Issue 150 (Tuesday, December 20, 1994) [Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 150 (Tuesday, December 20, 1994)] [Senate] [Page S] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [Congressional Record: December 20, 1994] From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO BEN H. CRAIG Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, Ben H. Craig, former mayor of Florence, AL and 1994 Shoals Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year, died recently at his home after a lengthy illness. Ben was known as a true gentleman by those who knew him and by his entire community for his contributions to historic preservation and his generosity to the University of North Alabama. His company, B.H. Craig Construction, contributed to many public projects and stands as a tribute to Ben and his betterment of the community. Ben Craig will be greatly missed by the people of Florence and by all those who knew him personally. My sincerest condolences are extended to Ben's wife, Ann Craig, and their entire family in the wake of this tremendous loss. I ask that a news article recounting the life and work of Ben Craig be printed in the Record. The article follows: Former Florence Mayor Ben Craig Dies (By Lena Mitchell) Florence.--Former Mayor Ben H. Craig, the 1994 Shoals Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year, died Sunday at his residence after a lengthy illness. He was 73. Florence and the Shoals lost a builder, historian benefactor, former mayor and generally great gentleman, said many who were close to him. Craig founded B.H. Craig Construction Co. in 1951, and his company's work includes Joe Wheeler State Park Resort near Rogerville, Turtle Point Yacht and Country Club in Florence, the Franklin County Courthouse in Russellville, Bradshaw High School in Florence and the Natchez Trace Bridge across the Tennessee River. His firm was recently named the prime contractor on the city's $6.7 million conference center adjacent to Renaissance Tower. ``He was one of the finest gentlemen in the area, well- respected, and will be missed by all of us,'' said architect Stan Tomblin. ``We worked together on a number of different projects over the years--Eliza Coffee Memorial) Hospital, Colbert County Courthouse, and they had just completed the renovations for the Florence Police Department.'' Craig was mayor of Florence from 1966 to 1969 and retired Florence Housing Authority director Karl Tyree remembers that he not only led a very progressive administration, but left his mark on the city in a very personal way. ``He was invaluable to us in his progressive thinking,'' Tyree said. ``He was a mayor at a time when it was very important to continue our program when they under attack nationally. He really had a wonderful and productive life. He was a close friend and very dear to all of us.'' Craig and his wife, Ann, recently made a gift of $250,000 to the University of North Alabama to establish an endowment in memory of his mother, Emma Vaughn Craig, and grandmother, Susan Kirkman Vaughn, and an endowment for the Ben H. Craig professorship in geography. His firm built Flowers Hall and did renovations on Powers Hall, Rogers Hall and the Towers residence halls at UNA. University President Robert L. Potts said he was deeply saddened by Craig's passing. ``Ben Craig was a kind, gentle and generous man,'' Potts said. ``He was a true friend of the university who gave freely of his time and resources to advance our programs and he will be greatly missed by all at the university. He was a very special person.'' Craig was a member of the UNA President's Cabinet, past president of the Florence Rotary Club, was named a Paul Harris Fellow and was an elder at First Presbyterian Church of Florence, where he had also served as a deacon. Florence historian William L. McDonald praised Craig's commitment to preserving the history of the city and the Shoals area. ``We shall long remember his as one of our outstanding mayors and church and community leaders,'' McDonald said. ``Ben has done more for historic preservation then perhaps anyone in North Alabama. It was through his expertise, labor and love that many of our historic shrines have been rescued and preserved for the generations yet to come.'' Survivors include his wife, Ann Craig, Florence; daughters, Landis Williams, Caroline O'Brien, Nancy Marbury, Catherine Craig, all of the Shoals area. Margaret Schafer, Houston, Texas, Frances Craig, New York, N.Y. |