[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E220-E221]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE MEMORY OF MR. BEN C. STIMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2004

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, Mobile County and indeed the entire state of 
Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor him and 
pay tribute to his memory.
  Mr. Ben C. Stimpson was a devoted family man and dedicated business 
leader and conservationist throughout his life.
  After attending the University of Alabama for a number of years, he 
left in 1945 to join the United States Army. At the conclusion of his 
enlistment, Mr. Stimpson returned home to join his brothers in the 
family timber business, Ben May's Gulf Lumber Company, in Mobile, 
Alabama. Over the next several years, he and his family built Ben May's 
into one of the largest sawmills in the State of Alabama, and Mr. 
Stimpson served as president of the company. Through his work in the 
timber industry, he had the opportunity to become affiliated with 
several professional organizations and served in various leadership 
capacities with these groups. These include serving as a director of 
the Alabama Forest Products Association, director of the Southern 
Forest Products Association, and chairman of the board of the Southern 
Pine Inspection Bureau. As a result of his professional success and 
industry involvement, Mr. Stimpson was inducted into the Alabama 
Business Hall of Fame in 2002 at the University of Alabama.
  Along with his work in the timber industry, Mr. Stimpson was also 
actively involved in the conservation and preservation of the wildlife 
and natural resources of his native State. Between 1971 and 1984, he 
served as a member of the Conservation Advisory Board for the

[[Page E221]]

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He was also a 
member of the Alabama Wildlife Federation for many years and was both a 
member of the board of directors and past president of that 
organization. In 1964, he was recognized for his tremendous efforts in 
the field of conservation when he was awarded the Governor's 
Conservation Award by then-Governor George C. Wallace.
  In the midst of his busy professional schedule, Mr. Stimpson also 
found time to serve in many community organizations and on several 
boards of directors. He was a member of the board of Mobile Infirmary 
for 25 years; he served for 20 years as a past chairman, president, and 
member of the St. Paul's Episcopal School board of trustees; and was a 
vestryman at St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a 
dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout South Alabama. 
Mr. Stimpson will be deeply missed by his family--his wife, Nedra Greer 
Stimpson; his children, Nedra Stimpson Crosby, John L. Stimpson, Ben C. 
Stimpson, Jr., Mary Stimpson Turner, and Greer Stimpson Stephens; his 
brother, William Herbert Stimpson; and 16 grandchildren--as well as the 
countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with 
them all at this difficult time.

                          ____________________