[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 198 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF DR. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                                 ______


                          HON. EVA M. CLAYTON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 12, 1995

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, November 28, 1995, at 2 p.m., 
the family and legions of friends gathered to acclaim the life of their 
beloved, Dr. George Kenneth Butterfield. A near centurion, he spent 95 
years of life before God called him to rest and to reside in a place of 
total peace.
  I regret that official business did not allow me to attend the 
celebration of Dr. Butterfield's life, however, he has left a lasting 
impression on me, and the principles which guided him now serve as 
guideposts for those he leaves behind.
  Dr. Butterfield began his legacy in a foreign land, when he was born 
in St. George's, Bermuda, on February 9, 1900. He left Bermuda in 
search of a better life and migrated to the United States. He soon 
enlisted in the army and served in World War I before being honorably 
discharged on March 18, 1919. During his service, in the midst of a 
bitter, cold winter, he fought at the battle of Alsace-Lorraine in 
France.
  Following military service, he attended and graduated from Shaw 
University in Raleigh, NC, and later attended and graduated, with a 
doctor of dental surgery degree, from Meharry Medical College in 
Nashville, TN. Upon graduating from dental school, however, he was not 
able to afford the equipment to establish a dental practice, and he 
worked for a period of time in maintenance at a hotel. Fate, however, 
joined him with an aging dentist in Henderson, NC, and a dental 
practice which spanned 50 years was launched.
  An advocate of justice, equal treatment and fair play, Dr. 
Butterfield was on the cutting edge of many important changes 
throughout North Carolina. He fought for integration, pushed for voting 
rights, led the way in opening up employment opportunities and still 
managed time for important civic duties. Through it all, he remained a 
caring friend, a devoted family member, a loving brother, a committed 
father, and a dedicated husband.
  May God comfort and help his family and friends to hold on to 
treasured yesterdays; and reach out with courage and hope for tomorrow, 
knowing that their beloved is with God. Death is not the end of life. 
It is the beginning of an eternal sleep. Rest, Brother George, you have 
labored long.

                          ____________________