[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.