[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 62 (Tuesday, May 7, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO THE LATE WALTER S. MONTGOMERY, SR.

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, if the Palmetto State is famous for 
textiles, then Mr. Walter S. Montgomery, Sr., is one of a handful of 
South Carolinians whose name is synonymous with that industry. Without 
question, he is a man who has left his mark on our State and Nation, 
and it is with great sadness that I rise today to note his recent 
passing.
  ``Mr. Walter,'' as he was affectionately known by his friends and 
employees, died late last month, ending what was a lifelong commitment 
to service and industry. From the time he took over his family's 
textile mill to the day he died, Walter Montgomery worked hard to 
advance textile manufacturing, to strengthen the South Carolina 
economy, and to improve the quality of life for the South Carolina 
Upstate, especially his beloved hometown of Spartanburg.
  Known as a benevolent boss, Mr. Walter would stroll the floors of his 
factories in his shirtsleeves, supervising operations and talking with 
his employees. His interest in those who worked for him extended beyond 
the plant walls, and he was known to spend afternoons on the front 
porches of the homes of Spartan Mills workers, passing the time and 
getting to know those in his employ. Additionally, Walter Montgomery 
worked hard to create a job place that was modern, clean, and safe, a 
far cry from the old style mills of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
  Walter Montgomery joined the family run Spartan Mills shortly after 
his graduation from the Virginia Military Institute and eventually 
became its president and chairman of the board. Through his hard work, 
determination, and business acumen, Spartan Mills grew from 1 plant to 
10, and became the largest employer in Spartanburg County. A young and 
dynamic executive, Mr. Montgomery became a force in the national 
textile industry and held leadership positions with the South Carolina 
Textile Manufacturers Association, the J.E. Sirrine Foundation, the 
Institute of Textile Technology, and the American Textile Manufacturers 
Association. His professional accomplishments earned him recognitions 
from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, which named him 
Businessman of the Year; and from the ATMI, their organization's 
prestigious and coveted Samuel Slater Award.
  Equally important to the contributions Mr. Montgomery made to 
business was the role he filled as a civic leader. Spartanburg and the 
Upstate Region benefited handsomely from the efforts of Mr. Montgomery 
who helped to establish the University of South Carolina at 
Spartanburg; served as a trustee of the Spartanburg Music Foundation 
and the Spartanburg Historical Society; and, organized the Spartanburg 
County Foundation. He also served for 55 years on the board of trustees 
at Converse College, was a booster for educational causes, and was an 
active leader in the United Way. For these undertakings, and many 
others, Mr. Montgomery was awarded the Order of the Palmetto; inducted 
into the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame; was awarded three 
honorary degrees; and, was recognized with almost countless citations 
from various business and community groups.
  Mr. President, Walter Montgomery was the type of person that any 
community or State would be fortunate to have as one of its citizens. I 
can think of no more fitting tribute to Walter than the fact that he 
was so well thought of, that hundreds of people came to pay their last 
respects to this man. As a matter of fact, on the day of his funeral, 
the Episcopal Church of the Advent was packed to capacity and 
loudspeakers had to be placed outside the church in order for mourners 
to be able to hear the service. While we will all miss Walter, I hope 
that others will honor his legacy by trying to match the example he set 
for service to business and community. I join a long list of people who 
express their sympathy and condolences to the family of Mr. Walter 
Montgomery, including his sisters, Kate Montgomery Ward and Lucile 
Montgomery Cart; his son, Mr. Walter Montgomery, Jr.; his daughter, 
Rose M. Johnston; and his many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 
These people are kin to a man who was one of a kind.

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