[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E534]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 IN MEMORY OF REPRESENTATIVE ROY TAYLOR

                                 ______


                         HON. CHARLES H. TAYLOR

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 7, 1995
  Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, last week, western North 
Carolina lost a great statesman and a friend. Former Congressman Roy 
Taylor who served the constituents of North Carolina's 11th District 
for 16 years died March 2, after years of declining health.
  During his tenure on Capitol Hill, Congressman Taylor championed the 
conservation of natural resource and was known for his exhaustive work 
on behalf of the people of our district. Those who were here tell of 
his commitment to 12-hour days and 6-day workweeks.
  Roy Taylor was born, January 31, 1910, in Vader, WA, but his parents 
moved to western North Carolina not long after he was born. He attended 
the public schools in Buncombe County, spent 2 years at Asheville-
Biltsmore College, and then graduated from Maryville College in 
Tennessee in 1931.
  Mr. Taylor began a career as a schoolteacher in 1931 at Black 
Mountain High School and the next year married Evelyn Reeves of 
Leicaster. While teaching, Taylor began studying law and in 1936 
graduated from Asheville University Law School. Upon passing the bar 
that same year, he quit his teaching job and began to practice law in 
Asheville.
  In 1943, Taylor left his law practice to serve in combat with the 
U.S. Navy. Upon fulfilling his duty to the Nation, he was discharged as 
a lieutenant in 1946.
  After returning to western North Carolina, Taylor began his political 
career as a member of the North Carolina General Assembly from 1947 to 
1949. He then served as Buncombe County attorney from 1949 to 1960. 
During this time, he also served as a member of the board of trustees 
of Asheville-Biltmore College.
  In 1960, Taylor was elected as a Democrat to the 86th Congress, 
during a special election to fill the vacancy created by the death of 
Representative David Hall. Taylor was reelected to the eight succeeding 
Congresses and retired in 1976. Taylor served 10 of those years as 
chairman of the House Interior Committee's Subcommittee on National 
Parks and Recreation.
  After public service, Congressman Taylor dedicated his time to the 
church and his community. He was district governor of Lions Clubs in 
western North Carolina. He also served as a deacon and Sunday school 
superintendent of Black Mountain First Baptist Church.
  Taylor is survived by his wife, Evelyn; daughter, Toni Robinson of 
Plymouth; son, Alan Taylor of Bent Creek; granddaughter, Stacy Taylor; 
grandsons, Marshall and Gregg Robinson; sister, Alberta Greene of Enka; 
great-grandchildren, Katherine Taylor Robinson and Charlotte Whittfield 
Robinson.


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