[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 107 (Friday, September 10, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING AUSTIN CUNNINGHAM OF ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 9, 2004

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow I will join with 
many other South Carolinians to celebrate the 90th birthday of a 
Palmetto State legend, Mr. Austin Cunningham. In 1998, my predecessor 
Congressman Floyd Spence; made the following remarks before Congress 
describing the life of Austin Cunningham:

       As a young man, Austin Cunningham, went to work to help 
     support his family when his father died. He worked during the 
     day and went to both high school and college at night, 
     earning a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1940. 
     During his business career, Mr. Cunningham has been the 
     president of five companies and he has owned two 
     manufacturing plants in South Carolina. President Reagan 
     recognized Mr. Cunningham for his work with the Jobs Tax 
     Credit Program and he has been involved with the 
     administrations of former Governor Carroll Campbell and 
     Governor David Beasley in improving race relations in our 
     State. He has also contributed his time and efforts in the 
     Orangeburg area on behalf of: Crime Watch, Crime Stoppers, 
     the People's Assault on Drugs (PAD), as well as the 
     collaboration between South Carolina State University and the 
     South Carolina Philharmonic, which has resulted in an annual 
     three concert satellite series.

  As Congressman Spence rightfully pointed out, Austin Cunningham has 
been active in public service and community leadership throughout his 
life. He continues to make a large impact on South Carolina through his 
regular newspaper columns that are featured in newspapers such as the 
Orangeburg Times & Democrat and The State.
  I am honored to have been able to call Austin a close friend for many 
years, and I have learned so much from him. I ask all of my colleagues 
to join me in wishing Mr. Austin Cunningham a happy 90th birthday, and 
thank him for his years of service to others.

                          ____________________