[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  HONORING THE MEMORY OF RICHARDSON PREYER, FORMER MEMBER OF THE HOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. EVA M. CLAYTON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2001

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to say a few words about a North 
Carolina native son, the Honorable Lunsford Richardson Preyer. He died 
this month but left a legacy of dedicated, visionary and exemplary 
service to his family, community, state and nation.
  He was bom in Greensboro, NC in 1919 and lived and served during a 
difficult time in the history of our state and nation. Racial 
discrimination was widespread during his early life. African Americans 
were objects of legal, social and economic oppression. However, 
Richardson Preyer rose above the prevailing conditions and displayed 
remarkable moral integrity, tolerance and support for racial diversity 
and human rights.
  After graduating from Princeton University and Harvard Law School, he 
returned home. Although an heir to a family fortune, he chose to engage 
in efforts to resolve conflicts between contending groups in society. 
He was well-suited to be a judge; he served as a state court trial 
judge and in 1961 was appointed to a lifetime position on the federal 
District Court. A few years later, he left this comfort zone seeking 
other opportunities to serve. In 1964, he ran unsuccessfully for 
Governor of North Carolina. He served several years as a bank executive 
and, in 1968, was elected and served the 6th District of North Carolina 
for six terms in the United States Congress.
  Mr. Preyer was a gentleman and a scholar and a bold and courageous 
leader. He was given much and he gave much. It is fitting that we pay 
tribute to his life and legacy. He was a good man.

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