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.
