[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 37 (Thursday, March 20, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE LATE EDWIN CRAIG WALL, JR.

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, in any state, there are certain 
individuals who make their mark in one or more fields, and in the 
process, they not only earn personal success, but they also make 
significant contributions to the place they call ``home''. I rise today 
to pay tribute to one such man, Edwin Craig Wall, Jr., who was a 
successful businessman and civic booster, who recently passed away 
after being struck by a heart attack.
  During his adult life, Mr. Wall distinguished himself as a leader of 
business and industry in the Grand Strand area of South Carolina. This 
region is one of the fastest growing parts of the Palmetto State and 
represents a well developed and diversified economy that includes 
manufacturing, tourism, and shipping concerns. Tens of thousands of 
South Carolinians are employed in good paying, secure jobs, and the 
revenues that are contributed to our State's coffers from this area are 
certainly significant. Without question, Mr. Wall helped to create this 
very impressive picture of economic health that typifies the Grand 
Strand and Pee Dee.
  Though Mr. Wall entered the businessworld with a tremendous 
advantage, his father had built a very successful company called Canal 
Industries, he chose not to rest on the accomplishments of his 
namesake. Trained at the business schools of Davidson College and 
Harvard University, Mr. Wall was determined to find ways to streamline 
Canal and make it more efficient and profitable. From what I 
understand, he was more than successful in his objectives, as Canal is 
now a world leader in the timber industry, as well as becoming a 
prominent company in commercial development in the Myrtle Beach area.
  Perhaps one of the hallmarks of a good business person is how much 
they give back to the community and state which allowed them to 
prosper. In the case of Mr. Wall, he was very generous in what he 
contributed to South Carolina and he set an excellent example for other 
corporate executives to follow. His expertise and insight were valued 
by many, and he served on countless boards, including those of Davidson 
College and NationsBank. He was a strong advocate of education and 
worked hard to ensure that the Palmetto State had a school system that 
would guarantee that none of our citizens lack for the skills they 
would require to succeed in life.
  Mr. President, Craig Wall was a man who had a tremendous impact on 
life in South Carolina, and though he passed away at far too young an 
age, his star certainly shone bright. We are all grateful for the 
leadership and contributions he made throughout his life and career, 
and his wife and children have my deepest sympathies.

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