[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO MAC McCUE, A CONSTITUENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACK KINGSTON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 6, 1998

  Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, a republic means a lot more than just free 
elections and representative government.
  It requires a commitment to the political process from not only the 
candidates for public office, but from activist citizens who 
participate in the process.
  There are those who participate behind the scenes, with little 
recognition or publicity, without pay or perks, and with little regard 
for the cost to their personal lives in time and energy.
  They are political activists volunteers who are the heart and soul of 
every campaign, every election, and every contest between two visions 
for the future.
  They are the kind of people who care deeply about what kind of 
country we live in, and care enough to get involved in that great 
American tradition, the political campaign.
  Mac McCue is just such an activist.
  For years Mac McCue has been synonymous with Republican Chatham 
County politics.
  In fact, Chatham County Republicans could not even imagine an 
election without the services of Mac McCue.
  Some may think of Mac as a senior citizen, but those of us who know 
him cannot.
  In campaign after campaign, Mac has shown so much energy he makes the 
candidates look only partially committed!
  And he brings the same excitement to a campaign as he did to his 
first campaign, back in the 1950s.
  It doesn't matter whether the race is school board, city council, 
county commission, state legislature, U.S. Congress, or President, Mac 
is there.
  It doesn't matter if the candidate is a dark horse, an incumbent, a 
political veteran or a novice--If there's a Republican who needs help, 
Mac will help.
  It doesn't matter if it's putting up yard signs, stuffing envelopes, 
manning the phones, or going door to door--no job is beneath Mac if it 
needs doing.
  Mac is a guy who knows all the ups and downs of a campaign--the 
pitfalls to avoid, the tricks to get press, and secret for getting 25 
hours of work done in the last 24 hours of a campaign.
  When the chips are down and the dark days set in as they do in all 
campaigns, Mac stands faithfully by.
  And on election night, if you fall a few votes short, Mac reminds you 
that there are other things--such as family--which are more important.
  And when the election is over and the crowds have gone home, Mac even 
sticks around to pick up your yard signs.
  In addition to all these talents, Mac can be the campaign humorist 
with one of his infamous limericks.
  He had hundreds of them, and you could always tell when he was 
working on one in his head, for he had that little smile that suggested 
that he was up to some clever mischief.

  One of them goes to the tune of ``Home on the Range.''

Oh give us a home--
Where the flounder can roam--
With trout and with bass on display;
Where seldom are heard the economy word,
And our taxes go up every day.

  It's hard to believe that he's not in the Poet's Hall of Fame!
  As you can see, he's a guy who can make a serious point, even when he 
is just having a little fun.
  Voters who encounter Mac on the campaign trail invariably come away 
with a positive feeling about the candidate he is supporting.
  He is so upbeat, so obviously committed to his beliefs, and so 
sincere in his enthusiasm, people naturally conclude that Mac is on the 
right side of the issues.
  Whether through politics or not, Mac has always loved and served his 
country.
  In the 1940s, he was in the South Carolina National Guard.
  He served in the Army during the Korean War; 20 years later he served 
in the Reserves.
  Mac along with his beautiful wife Millie have always made public 
service a part of their life because they care passionately about what 
kind of country we live in, and what kind of country their children and 
grandchildren will live in.
  Mac didn't care whether you were a longshot or not, and he didn't 
care if the media totally ignored you--if he believed in you, he was 
behind you 100%.
  Mac worked to help elect Lamar Davis to a state representative 
office, the same Lamar Davis who has since gone on to take a position 
as our U.S. bankruptcy judge.
  Former Savannah mayor Susan Weiner is another one of Mac's success 
stories, as are County Commissioner Ed Silas, State Senator Eric 
Johnson, State Reps. Anne Mueller and Herb Jones, and many others.
  Young at heart and dedicated to the core, Mac McCue is a friend and 
mentor to all the young people on their first campaign, and he is a 
tribute to our democratic system of government.
  Mac, we salute you, and we thank you for all the truly fine work you 
have done all these many years.
  Mike, we salute you and thank you for sharing Mac with us.
  You two are an inspiration to all people in government--so many who 
are now in office with your help--who believe that politics is 
important to people's lives and who believe that ideas are worth 
fighting for.
  You are great Americans!

                          ____________________