[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 133 (Wednesday, August 9, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12076-S12077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           TRIBUTE TO THE LATE ARTHUR MAGILL, AUGUST 9, 1995

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, one of the unique aspects of the 
American business community is the concept of the ``corporate 
neighbor''. The belief that business leaders and heads of companies 
need to be involved in their communities and give something back to the 
cities, States, and Nation which have allowed their enterprises to 
prosper. Some of the leading philanthropic and charitable organizations 
in the Nation were started by the men who made their fortunes in 
business. Ford, Carnegie, and Rockefeller--among many others--are 
familiar names gracing endowments and foundations that support the arts 
and other noble causes. I rise today to pay tribute to a man, who in my 
home State of South Carolina, was a person who excelled in business and 
gave generously back to the city and State that he loved--Mr. Arthur 
Magill.
  Born in Philadelphia, Arthur Magill moved to South Carolina in 1954 
after inheriting the textile business his father started, Her Majesty 
Industries. Three of the company's mills were located in South Carolina 
and Arthur chose to settle in the upstate city of Greenville, a 
historic community that was at the heart of much of the South's textile 
manufacturing. In the 41 years between Arthur's arrival in South 
Carolina and his death earlier this week, he became known as a gifted 
businessman, a civically concerned individual, and a supporter and 
pioneer of culture in South Carolina.
  Many organizations benefitted from the generosity of Arthur Magill 
and the foundation he and his wife started, including the Greenville 
County Library, the Greenville Little Theater, the Greenville Symphony, 
and the South Carolina State Museum. Perhaps Arthur's most well known 
contribution to the arts community was his purchase of a large 
collection of Andrew 

[[Page S12077]]
Wyeth paintings and drawings, which he placed on loan to the Greenville 
Museum. Though he eventually sold this collection, the display of these 
items not only brought recognition and acclaim both to the museum and 
to Mr. Magill, but they served as an impetus to involve others in the 
arts community.
  A man of many talents and much energy, Arthur Magill pursued many 
interests outside of his company. He was instrumental in starting a 
Furman University summer program geared toward high school students 
called ``School of the Arts,'' even serving as its director; he was the 
author of four books; served as the director of the Friends of the 
American Art in Religion; and, he was an adjunct professor of economics 
at Furman University. Truly an impressive set of accomplishments for 
any one person, let alone a man who had to shoulder the considerable 
pressures and responsibilities of running a corporation.
  Mr. Magill's charitable efforts were not limited to the art world. 
Through a substantial donation to the Medical University of South 
Carolina, the Arthur and Holly Magill Refractive and Laser Center was 
established at the Storm Eye Institute. These facilities greatly 
enhance the research, treatment, and instruction that is conducted at 
MUSC and they help to ensure that South Carolinians are able to see to 
enjoy all that life has to offer, including art.
  Mr. President, Arthur Magill passed away this past Sunday at the age 
of 88, after enduring a lengthy illness. While he will be greatly 
missed by those who knew him and those who benefitted from his 
endeavors, his lifelong commitment to improving the quality of life in 
our State and Nation ensures that his memory and legacy shall live on 
for generations to come. His wife, Holly, and daughter Holly Melosi, 
have my deepest sympathies on the occasion of the death of their 
husband and father.


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