[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 188 (Thursday, December 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA MAYOR EMORY FOLMAR

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                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2011

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to give tribute to an Alabamian whose 
patriotism and devotion to country made him a leader early in life and 
carried him to prominence in business and public service in later 
years. I am speaking of former Montgomery Mayor Emory Folmar, who 
passed away on November 11 at the age of 81.
  Emory Folmar was born in Troy, AL, in 1930 and moved to Montgomery 
when he was fourteen. After graduating from Sidney Lanier High School 
in 1948, he attended The University of Alabama, receiving a BS in 
Business in just three years while serving as cadet colonel of the Army 
ROTC.
  After college, he received an Army commission and went to Ft. 
Benning, GA for parachute training and instructors' schools where he 
was assigned to the 11th Airborne Division attached to the 2nd Infantry 
Division. He married Anita Pierce in February 1952 and was deployed to 
Korea that summer. Wounded in action, he received the Silver Star, the 
Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. At the rank of lieutenant, he 
received the French Croix de Guerre as a result of his actions with the 
23rd Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division and French troops.
  Following his service in Korea, he was assigned to Ft. Campbell, 
Kentucky, as an Airborne Jump Master until 1954. He then moved to 
Montgomery to join his brother James Folmar and Henry Flynn in home 
construction. The Folmar brothers' business later expanded to include 
large commercial shopping center construction throughout the Southeast.
  In 1975, he entered politics at the urging of his son David, first 
running for Montgomery city council. He was soon elected president of 
the city council and then became Mayor of Montgomery from 1977 till 
1999. His time in office was marked by economic growth and an emphasis 
on law and order.
  Mayor Folmar ran as Republican for governor in 1982 against former 
Democrat Governor George C. Wallace. Although he did not win the 
election, Emory made the strongest showing of any Republican running 
for governor since reconstruction to that time.
  Very active in Republican politics on the state and national levels, 
he also served as campaign chairman for Ronald Reagan's finance 
committee in 1980; state chairman for President Reagan in 1984; and 
chairman for Bush-Quayle in 1988 and 1992. After retiring from 
politics, he was appointed Commissioner of the Alabama Beverage Control 
Board by then-Governor Bob Riley in 2003. During his time in that post, 
he streamlined and modernized the ABC to make it more efficient.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Alabama, I wish to send my 
heartfelt condolences to his wife, Anita; their children, Wilson Bibb 
and Margaret; and their grandchildren; as well as his sisters, Miriam 
and Anne, and many friends. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

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