Tony Thurmond: “while the Senate was recessed last week, South Carolina lost one of its most prominent citizens, Ellison "Bubby"…”

“while the Senate was recessed last week, South Carolina lost one of its most prominent citizens, Ellison "Bubby" McKissick, Jr., who was best known as a leader in the textile industry both in the Palmetto State and throughout the United States. Bubby McKissick passed away, after a long illness, at the rather young age of 69. Though his passing came too soon, he distinguished himself in many ways throughout his life. Not the least of these achievements was serving as the Chairman of Alice Manufacturing, the McKissick family mill and one of the largest textile companies in the Southeast. Additionally, he was a past president of the American Textile Manufacturers Institute, and a forceful advocate for measures that would make the textile industry more competitive, including promoting education. While his career ultimately took him to the boardroom, Bubby McKissick learned the textile business from the ground floor of one of his family's facilities, working in some of the most demanding jobs in any mill operation. Additionally, Bubby McKissick served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War, earning the rank of Sergeant, and having the unenviable distinction of being wounded in combat. This was a man who truly did not have anything handed to him on a silver platter, and who knew well the valuable lessons that one can only learn from experience and hard work.”