[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 130 (Friday, September 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      A TRIBUTE TO DR. E.B. TURNER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 25, 1998

  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who, 
since 1948, has given half a century of devotion to rebuilding his 
community of Lumberton and his county of Robeson in southeastern North 
Carolina. An empowering, inspirational leader, Dr. E.B. Turner has 
worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those around him. He has 
encouraged all citizens, especially African-Americans, to find the 
courage to use their voices to break an oppressive silence. Dr. Turner 
has given all people in our community, county and state an example of 
faith in God, faith in the potential of our area, and the faith to 
cultivate a land where equality and opportunity flourish. In addition 
to his countless gifts to our community, he has given my family and me 
true friendship, by which I have been enormously honored.
  This month, our community celebrated Dr. Turner's 50-year commitment 
to ending social injustice. Even at the age of 72, this continues to be 
his vision. It was when Dr. Turner arrived to Lumberton as a preacher 
at the age of 22, that he first discovered the harsh living conditions 
African-Americans were force to endure. There were no paved streets in 
the black sections of town, and most blacks lived in poor housing with 
little opportunity for upward movement. Not intending to enter the 
political realm, but responding to the need to reform a decrepit social 
structure, Dr. Turner accepted the challenges around him as 
opportunities for a better future for our area. He began his life in 
the political sphere by working for homes for the elderly and disabled, 
as well as housing developments for the poor. Since then, he has been 
actively involved in local government and community organizations. 
Serving on the Board of Directors of Lumberton Economic Advancement for 
Downtown, Inc., the Lumberton Housing Authority, and the Lumberton 
Community and Economic Development Committee are only a few of the ways 
he has made a difference. He was also the first chairman of the 
Lumberton Commission for Youth and the Family, an innovative board that 
has started a variety of programs which have benefitted our citizens 
and their children. He has been actively involved in the Lumberton 
Civic Committee, the Youth Fellowship Society, the Lumberton Visitors 
Bureau and Historic Robeson, Inc. In addition to his civic role in the 
community, Dr. Turner has been an influential voice for education by 
serving both on the Board of Trustees for Fayetteville State University 
and on the Board of Governors for the University of North Carolina. 
Politically, Dr. Turner has served as chairman of the Robeson County 
Democratic Party and on the Lumberton City Council, to which he was 
first elected in 1962 and served for 30 years. He also served as Mayor 
Pro-Tempore of Lumberton. Currently, Dr. Turner serves on the Robeson 
County Board of Commissioners, to which he was first elected in 1992.
  Dr. Turner still lives next door to the First Baptist Church that 
brought him to Lumberton years ago with his wife of 47 years, Georgia 
McNeill Turner. In addition to his priceless contributions to society, 
Dr. Turner and Mrs. Turner carry the added accomplishment of rearing 
their two daughters, Andrea and Rosalind.
  Dr. Turner has been a symbol of hope and humanity to all races and to 
every individual he has ever encountered. Often called a trailblazer 
for blacks in politics, Dr. Turner's fire continues to burn with as 
much vigor and boldness as it did on that day our community was first 
blessed with his services 50 years ago.
  I am proud to call Dr. Turner my friend, and I look forward to his 
continuing presence and service to our area. May God's blessings be 
upon him and his family.

                          ____________________