Recently in Record Statements

HON. HEATH SHULER

OF NORTH CAROLINA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MR. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the basketball team of the Nantahala School in Macon County, North Carolina. The team had an exceptional season, finishing with a record of 23-7 and an appearance in the regional semi-final game. 

Their season would be considered impressive for a team from any school, but this team comes from remarkable circumstances. There are only 36 students in the school, 18 of which are men. Over half the eligible students play on the basketball team. From one of the smallest schools in the state of North Carolina, this group of young men was able to hold their own against teams from much larger schools. 

Making their success less probable, the school graduated some excellent basketball players last year, retiring three jerseys. The class of 2009 accounted for over 3,000 career points. Fortunately, this year’s seniors - Jordan West, Wesley Holden, Josh Griffith, Jerrod Crosby, and Woody Passmore – were equally impressive in fulfilling their leadership roles. 

The team’s final game against Hendersonville High School in the regional semifinals was a testament to their perseverance. Trailing at one point by 16 points, it seemed the odds were against them. Still, the team played with everything they had. With 43 seconds remaining, Jordan West gave Nantahala the lead. Hendersonville managed to pull back ahead, but Nantahala fell only three points short of playing in the regional finals for a spot in the North Carolina state championship game.

Some of the team achieved special recognition for their outstanding seasons. Wesley Holden averaged 13 points per game and was selected to play in the Blue-White all-star game. Josh Griffith, averaging 18 points per game, was selected to play in the Blue-White all-star game and the regional all-tournament team. Coach Josh Taylor and Assistant Coach Tom Dillard have created a strong program, and I doubt this is the last we have heard from this small school in the mountains. 

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the impressive Nantahala School basketball team for their accomplishments and wishing them continued success in future years.

HON. HEATH SHULER

OF NORTH CAROLINA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MR. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the past, present, and future members of the production of Unto These Hills. An outdoor dramatic rendering of the history of the Cherokee people, the play is nearing the 60^th anniversary of its opening night. 

The show has achieved remarkable success, selling over 6 million tickets since its opening on July 1, 1950. It is the second longest continuously running outdoor drama in the United States, behind only The Lost Colony, which is performed in Manteo, North Carolina. Over sixty years, countless skilled actors and actresses have taken part in the performances. Among them are some who have reached the heights of fame, including Morgan Freeman and Michael Rosenbaum. 

For 60 years, Unto These Hills has provided entertainment and education for visitors to historic and scenic Cherokee. The format is especially effective for the many school groups that visit Cherokee; the dramatic rendering passes important lessons of history on to future generations. 

The show is an integral part of preserving the heritage of the Cherokee people, a group integral to our mountain community. The ongoing legacy of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee is an important part of our broader mountain heritage. With a new and more accurate script, the show portrays the history of the Cherokee from the height of their power to the depths of their despair during the Trail of Tears. An accurate dramatic retelling is an important way to remember the tragedy of the Trail of Tears and help us learn from that event. 

With the new script and a recently renovated theater, Unto These Hills is poised to continue to build on its impressive record of success. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues today to join me in recognizing Unto These Hills for its remarkable success and its important role in preserving and reliving such a profound moment in American history.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010  

MR. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Cecil Groves for his 40 years of service in higher education and to congratulate him on his retirement after 13 years as President of Southwestern Community College in Sylva, North Carolina. Under his leadership, Southwestern experienced significant expansion, serving as a catalyst for further growth throughout the region. 

Dr. Groves received his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas. His first job was as the president of Delgado College in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Groves was able to lead Delgado College to national accreditation in the midst of the turmoil of desegregation. Seven years later, he became President of Austin Community College in Austin, Texas. In a city dominated by a major research university, Dr. Groves created a model of the community college as a stepping stone to enrollment at a four year university. He grew Austin Community College into a 16,000 student campus, creating jobs and allowing students a pathway to achieve their dreams. 

After working at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, Colorado and serving as Provost of Texas State Technical Colleges System, Dr. Groves moved to the mountains of Western North Carolina to become the president of Southwestern Community College. He would transform this small school with a strong sense of community into one of the best community colleges in the nation. 

During his tenure, Southwestern Community College opened a new campus in Macon County, North Carolina and graduated the largest class in its history. Dr. Groves instituted a new technology platform for delivering education to students, offering Internet learning without sacrificing a sense of community. He encouraged teachers who found their most effective teaching method to continue to succeed, and he pushed those who struggled to continue to work toward becoming better teachers. Most importantly, he was widely loved by the faculty, staff, and students. 

Even those in Western North Carolina who are not directly a part of the Southwestern Community College family benefited from Dr. Groves’ tenure. One of his biggest contributions to the region was the creation of the Balsam West FiberNET. After an attempt to convert the school’s Interactive Television system to digital proved too costly, Dr. Groves began investigating a regional broadband system. Southwestern Community College helped bring together Drake Enterprises and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee to form Balsam West FiberNET. This private, for-profit partnership constructed a 300 mile broadband ring, benefiting both Southwestern Community College and the entire mountain community. 

Outside of his duties as President, Dr. Groves has taken an active interest in community development—on a regional, state, and national level. He served as an appointed advisor to governors in two states and testified in front of Congress. As a founding member of the National Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing, a part of the National Association of Manufacturers, and the National Coalition for Advanced Technology Centers, Dr. Groves has helped modernize U.S. manufacturing and education technology. He has also been active in successfully recruiting several companies to conduct business in the regions where he worked.

Dr. Groves is now retiring and moving closer to two of his children. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to rise with me to thank Dr. Groves for his many years of invaluable service to both Southwestern Community College and the broader mountain community of Western North Carolina.

HON. HEATH SHULER

OF NORTH CAROLINA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 Thursday, May 27, 2010 

MR. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Principal Jan King of Glenn C. Marlow Elementary School in Mills River, North Carolina on being named the 2010 Wachovia North Carolina Principal of the Year. The designation of Principal of the Year not only signifies her effectiveness as an administrator but also the respect she has earned among her students, their parents, and their teachers.   

With this honor Mrs. King will be appointed to the State Superintendent’s Principal’s Advisory Committee and will serve a one-year term as advisor to the State Board of Education. Principal King will also be appointed to a one-year term on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Public School Forum and will chair the 2011 Wachovia Principal of the Year Selection Committee. 

As a native of Jackson County and an educator in the area, Mrs. King has spent most of her life in Western North Carolina. Throughout her educational career, Jan King has set a high educational standard for herself and her peers. 

In 2003, Mrs. King was named Henderson County Schools’ Teacher of the Year and achieved National Board Certification. Mrs. King has also been selected to speak at various events including the North Carolina Gifted Education Conference, North Carolina Social Studies Conference and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Conference. She also served as a teacher and a consultant for the Library of Congress American Memory Fellow Program. 

The children of today are the leaders of our nation tomorrow. Educators like Principal King are central in providing these children the tools they need in order to be productive citizens in the future.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to congratulate Principal Jan King and to thank her for her tremendous service to the students in Western North Carolina.   

MR. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Stephen L. Page, Ed. D. on his June 30^th retirement from his position as the Superintendent of Henderson County Schools. Dr. Page’s efforts have been central to the development and success of the public school system of  Western  North Carolina where he has served faithfully and effectively for the past 37 years.  

Before beginning his career in the public school system, Dr. Page served honorably as a First Lieutenant, Combat Executive Officer, in the United States Army. For his bravery and meritorious service during the Vietnam War, Dr. Page was awarded the Bronze Star. 

Dr. Page is also actively involved  in the Henderson County Community. He is a member of the Civitan Club of Hendersonville and serves as Chairman of the Civitan Foundation Board of Directors. He serves on the United Way of Henderson County Board of Directors and on the Daniel Boone Council of Boy Scouts of America. Dr. Page also served as the Honorary Chairman of the 2007 March of Dimes WalkAmerica campaign in Henderson County.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Dr. Stephen Page today, to thank him for his tremendous service to the community, and to wish him well  in  his  retirement.

HON. HEATH SHULER
OF NORTH CAROLINA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, May 13, 2010

MR. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Martins Creek Elementary and Middle School in Murphy, North Carolina. I would like to commend the exemplary educators, administrators, and planners for their hard work, preparation, and research that led to Martins Creek School acquiring the largest public school solar power array in North Carolina. The array will produce close to an entire megawatt of power; enough energy to prevent the burning of 75 tons of coal per day for electricity production.

On May 7, 2010, Martins Creek School will hold an opening ceremony to mark the introduction of the solar array. This event highlights the school’s commitment to green conservation and environmental improvement in classrooms at Martins Creek School. It sets a high standard of environmental consciousness for other schools to study and consider.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to support and applaud this innovative Western North Carolina School for their monumental achievement. I ask my colleagues today to rise in support of solar research and environmental safety in our nation’s schools, and to congratulate Martins Creek School on their environmental and educational accomplishment.

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HON. HEATH SHULER
OF NORTH CAROLINA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, May 11, 2010

MR. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Eastern Band of Cherokee in Cherokee, North Carolina on becoming a Certified Entrepreneurial Community by the AdvantageWest Economic Development Group. AdvantageWest, an economic development commission which serves 23 Western North Carolina counties, created the “Certified Entrepreneurial Community Program” to train local communities to encourage small business start-ups in the mountain region and to help such businesses thrive.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee, North Carolina has an over 11,000-year history rich with culture, arts, and a heritage of magnificent storytelling. Being designated as a Certified Entrepreneurial Community is just one example of the continuation of the remarkable history, and a tribute to the vision of the Eastern Band of Cherokee. The focus on youth and education as integral components of their Certified Entrepreneurial Community vision ensures that the future leaders of the community will have the tools to continue their strong legacy.

The Certification, developed by the AdvantageWest Economic Development Group, contains a strict set of guidelines that highlight a community’s enthusiasm and readiness to support entrepreneurship and small business. While several communities throughout Western North Carolina have become certified as entrepreneurial communities, the Eastern Band of Cherokee is the first nation to receive this designation. This designation showcases the Eastern Band of Cherokee’s foresight in creating and fostering an environment in which prosperity can be achieved. As a Certified Entrepreneurial Community, the Eastern Band will build upon the success of its marketing campaign to further promote the potential of its people to the United States and abroad.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues today to celebrate this remarkable honor bestowed on The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in Cherokee, North Carolina, and their commitment to the future of their people. I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating their outstanding achievement.

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HON. HEATH SHULER
OF NORTH CAROLINA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Friday, May 7, 2010

MR. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Roy Welch on his 50th birthday. Born with Down Syndrome in 1960 in my home town of Bryson City, North Carolina, the doctors told his parents he would not live long enough to take him home from the hospital. Fifty years later, Mr. Welch is a standing testament to the importance of faith, strength, and the desire to live a fulfilling and fruitful life.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues today to rise with me in recognizing the incredible story of Roy Welch, and the inspiration he has provided to all of Western North Carolina. I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating the courage, character, and vitality of Mr. Welch.

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Wednesday, May 4, 2010

Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Floyd Carson Frisbee of Iron Duff, North Carolina for his valiant service in the United States Army. For the better part of two years, Mr. Frisbee fought bravely on the Korean peninsula in order to protect the sovereignty of South Korea, and the freedom of its people. Floyd Frisbee’s wartime effort exemplifies his dedication to our nation and the principles by which we live.  

Mr. Frisbee received various medals and accolades for his service in the Korean War including the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge,

After his service in the military, Floyd Frisbee continued to display his strong personal character as well as a commitment to provide for his family through 19 years of hard work at the Dayton Rubber plant. Since his retirement Mr. Frisbee maintains a strong attachment to the Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute and has preached at various churches in the community.

Madam Speaker, Floyd Carson Frisbee provided an exemplary service for the people of our great country through his service in the Korean War. His dedication and commitment to the United States is truly a source of pride to western North Carolina. I urge my colleagues to join me today in honoring Floyd Carson Frisbee for the sacrifices he has made for our nation and the service he has provided for its citizens.

HON. HEATH SHULER
OF NORTH CAROLINA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, March 23, 2010

MR. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Helen C. Vance on receiving the Brown-Hudson Award from the North Carolina Folklore Society for her outstanding work to preserve the North Shore Cemeteries in Swain County, North Carolina.

In the 1940s, many families in Western North Carolina were displaced when the Fontana Dam was constructed on the Little Tennessee River in Swain County, and as a result they had to leave behind their homesites and family cemeteries. Plans to build the North Shore Road that would connect displaced families to their old homesites were discontinued in the 1960s. Although the lack of a road makes it difficult to access these sites, Ms. Vance has worked hard to ensure that local communities are able to visit their cemeteries.

For over thirty years, Ms. Vance has organized the Appalachian tradition of Decoration Day, a day where relatives, friends, and neighbors of the deceased in Western North Carolina travel together on trails through the woods, or by boat over the Fontana Lake to local these cemeteries for a day of remembrance. On Decoration Day, communities spend the day together cleaning the cemeteries and placing decorations on the sites.

The Brown-Hudson Award recognizes Ms. Vance’s exceptional contributions to preserving our traditions in our mountain region, and her tireless work to maintain the North Shore cemeteries for future generations. Her community activism is a source of pride to me and to Western North Carolina.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues today to rise with me in recognizing the amazing efforts of the Mrs. Vance, and the dedication she has shown to preserving the historic North Shore cemeteries Western North Carolina. I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating her outstanding commitment to our community traditions.

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