[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 143 (Sunday, October 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF JUDGE MARSHALL CRAIG

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JO ANN EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 1998

  Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
eulogize a great man who lived in my Congressional District in 
Sikeston, MO. Judge Marshall Craig died on August 31, 1998, at the age 
of 91. As an editorial in the local newspaper written by Mike Jensen 
stated ``Judge Marshall Graig was in a league of his own. Universally 
respected and genuinely admired by all of those who knew him . . . he 
leaves a legacy of community involvement, professional accomplishment 
and unparalleled admiration. We will likely not see another of his 
caliber come along for many years.''
  Judge Craig was born on February 10, 1907, near Hickman Mills in 
Jackson County, MO, to the late Robert Lee and Theodocia Cowherd Craig. 
He graduated from high school in Columbia, MO, in 1926, from the 
University of Missiouri-Columbia in 1930, and from the University 
Missouri Law School in 1932. He played basketball for the Missouri 
Tigers, leading his team to the Big-Six Championship in 1930, as the 
team captain. He was selected to the First Team All-conference squad 
that same year.
  Craig was an assistant U.S. Attorney in St. Louis, and later served 
as prosecuting attorney in Mississippi County. He served his country in 
the U.S. Army during World War II, prior to moving to Sikeston and 
joining the Bailey Law Firm as a partner. He served four terms as 
Circuit Judge and was then appointed as the first senior judge in the 
state of Missouri.
  Judge Craig loved his family, church and community and took an active 
role in every organization he deemed important . . . and they were 
many. He received almost every honor and award that existed in 
Sikeston. In Mr. Jenson's editorial he stated, ``If you wanted instant 
credibility on any board or for any issue or cause, the first name to 
surface was Marshall Craig. His reputation brought that degree of 
authority and respect. To many of us, if Marshall Craig thought it was 
a good idea, that was good enough for us.''
  Judge Craig also had a profound effect on a member of my staff when 
he presided over the adoption proceedings of my Executive Assistant, 
Kacky Garner, when C.W. and Lucille Martin adopted her. Kacky has 
related to me that Judge Graig often told her that having been involved 
in her adoption and then watching her grow to adulthood in that happy 
home was one of the nicest and most rewarding things he ever got to do 
as a Judge.
  One son, Michael H. Craig of Memphis, TN, one daughter, Nancy McMahon 
of Sikeston; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren survive 
Judge Craig. His wisdom, strength of character, and faith will never be 
forgotten by all those who knew and respected him. He was truly a great 
American.

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