[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 18, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1258-E1259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN MEMORY OF MAYOR HUGH MARTIN CURRIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EVA M. CLAYTON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 17, 2000

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, July 15, 2000, Mayor Hugh 
Martin Currin, of Oxford, North Carolina, left this life. He was laid 
to rest today, after serving a total of 25 years as Mayor of Oxford, 
over a period which spanned 50 years. He spent almost a third of his 
life as Mayor. At age 78, he died at his home and has now been called 
to rest and to reside in a place of total peace.
  Mayor Currin was first elected to that position in 1949, after having 
graduated from Oxford High School, Wake Forest College and Wake Forest 
Law School. This son of a tobacco farmer served as a Naval Officer 
during World War II. Over the years, in addition to Mayor, he served in 
various public positions. He was known for his ability to work with all 
people. The late Floyd McKissick, Sr., himself an attorney in Oxford, 
once said of Mayor Currin, that he was a ``man of vision.'' He said the 
Mayor, ``had the nature and capacity to treat a man fairly. He 
converted Christianity to the political arena.'' Indeed, despite his 
many activities and responsibilities, he still found time to teach 
Sunday School class for more than 40 years.
  His years of service were perhaps captured best, in his own words. He 
said, ``The City of Oxford has improved, not because of me or the 
commissioners, but because the people in this Town cared, and still 
do.'' Then, he added, ``That's why Oxford has come so far--the 
people.''
  Mayor Currin was a devoted husband and loving father, whose son, also 
a lawyer, practiced with him in Oxford for many years. I know his wife, 
Doris; his son, Hugh Martin, Jr.; his daughter, Patricia Currin Mangum; 
and his two granddaughters will miss him dearly. All who knew him were 
touched by his humility, strength of character and faith in God. He was 
loved and well respected.
  God's finger has gently touched Mayor Currin, and he now sleeps. I am 
confident that

[[Page E1259]]

he has left a lasting impression on those who came to know him, and the 
principles that guided him will now serve as guideposts for those he 
leaves behind. He shall surely be missed. I feel certain, however, that 
he would want all of us to rejoice in his life and the time he spent on 
this earth.

                          ____________________