[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 132 (Wednesday, November 17, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S11426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO CHARLES WOODS

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I rise to commemorate the recent 
death of one of Alabama's most remarkable men, Charles Woods of Dothan, 
AL. Mr. Woods, who was 83 years old, died October 17 in Dothan after an 
extended illness. Mr. Woods lived an extraordinary life. Orphaned until 
age 6, he worked hard and became a decorated World War II pilot who was 
severely burned in a plane crash in India as he and his crew were on 
their way to China over the Himalayan Mountains. Mr. Woods was riding 
as check pilot in a C-109 supply aircraft when the accident occurred. 
The plane crashed off the end of the runway, and Captain Woods was able 
to open the window on his side of the cockpit and stumble away from the 
flaming aircraft. The training pilot and two other crew members 
perished. That crash left Mr. Woods scarred but not beaten. His 
powerful drive to survive his burns was the same drive that made him a 
highly successful businessman.
  After the war, Mr. Woods established successful real estate and media 
businesses that included the launching of Dothan's first television 
station, WTVY-TV. Still, he had a deep interest in politics and ran a 
number of high profile races that did not lead to victory but captured 
the attention of the people of Alabama and certainly his opponents. I 
well remember as a teenager watching his dramatic story produced as 
part of his first campaign for Governor. It was a powerful piece. I 
believe this early ``infomercial'' was a breakthrough in political 
campaigning and now, with the advent of cable television, has become 
more common.
  He ran a strong race for the U.S. Senate in 1996 and his surge in the 
polls got the attention of all of us in that Republican primary. After 
I got in the runoff, I was very pleased that he chose to immediately 
endorse my candidacy. He was gracious and affirming. I valued that 
highly because everyone knew that Charles Woods was a courageous and 
independent minded person whose goal was to improve the lives of all 
Alabamians. His endorsement gave my campaign a real boost. Since that 
time, I had the opportunity to talk with him on a number of occasions, 
to appreciate his insight and decisiveness, and to become friends. He 
spoke to me of his faith on more than one occasion.
  Mr. Woods' 10 children, 17 grandchildren and one great grandchild 
have received a tremendous legacy. Charles Woods was truly a giant of a 
man who overcame tremendous adversity to achieve extraordinary things. 
His was an American story of almost unbelievable achievement.

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