[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1882]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE MEMORY OF REPRESENTATIVE L.H. FOUNTAIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2002

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, North Carolina has lost a fine statesman 
and a great American whose shadow stretched far beyond Tarboro, 
Representative L.H. Fountain. His death at the age of 89 has saddened 
all of us in the North Carolina delegation and our state has lost one 
of its greatest sons. I wish that I could be with you all today as you 
gather to honor the life and work of this great North Carolinian, but I 
know that Ted Daniel, Representative Fountain's chief of staff and good 
friend will deliver well my words and condolences.
  I first met L.H. Fountain when I was a young Hamett County 
Commissioner. But before ever setting eyes on him I knew well his 
reputation as a dedicated advocate of North Carolina's citizens and a 
leader in Congress. Up in Washington there was an ongoing debate about 
how federal funds would be sent to counties, leaving us in Hamett 
County grappling with our budget. L.H.'s subcommittee in Government 
Operations was handling that issue, and I quickly became one of the 
many North Carolinians who sought his counsel and assistance. As he did 
for his other constituents, he gave me sound advice and guided Hamett 
County toward a path for the future. We, and all of North Carolina's 
citizens, were blessed to have such a representative even though we 
were not in his Congressional District.
  Hard work and dedication brought L.H. Fountain from the small town of 
Leggett to the United States House of Representatives. A graduate of 
Edgecombe county schools and the University of North Carolina at Chapel 
Hill, he was truly a product of North Carolina.
  He was part of the greatest generation, who bravely went to war to 
defend the cause of freedom and protect the world from tyranny during 
World War II. In the darkest nights the world has ever seen, American 
soldiers like L.H. were a beacon of light and hope, restoring justice 
and establishing our nation as a world leader.
  L.H. rose through the military ranks quickly, entering the U.S. Army 
as a private and completing his service in 1946 as a major. After the 
war, he returned to North Carolina and dedicated his life to public 
service. He served two terms in the State Senate and the people of the 
Second Congressional District rewarded him with a seat in the U.S. 
House of Representatives.
  For 30 years, he held that seat and represented the people of North 
Carolina in Washington. Those 15 consecutive terms are a testament to 
his character, his reputation and his commitment. I can tell you, as 
can my good friend Tim Valentine, that it is no easy feat to hold a 
seat for so many years. The people of his District knew well that day 
in and day out he was in their corner, advancing the issues that 
touched them and their families. Throughout his years in Congress, he 
fought for the causes of eastern North Carolina's farmers and 
especially for tobacco farmers. We could use him in Congress today as 
we work to make sure farmers have an opportunity to make a living in 
the land.
  L.H. was an undying advocate for consumers, and he was most proud of 
his efforts to establish watchdogs within federal agencies to keep the 
bureaucrats focused on their ultimate bosses, the citizens of this 
country. His lasting legacy in the federal government is this system of 
inspectors general, who ferret out waste and corruption. Together they 
have saved the taxpayers billions of dollars and will unquestionably 
save hundreds of billions of dollars in the years ahead.
  Throughout his years in Congress, L.H. never forgot his roots nor his 
commitment to God and family. He was a true Southern gentleman in the 
grandest tradition. His colleagues and all who met him knew him as 
mild-mannered and polite, smiling at those who opposed him. L.H. 
Fountain was a complete person. Not only was he a model public servant, 
but he was a father who lived out the ideals of family values. He and 
his wife Christine raised a beautiful daughter in Nancy and were 
blessed with two fine grandchildren. On top of that, he was an elder in 
the Presbyterian Church and a past trustee of the National Presbyterian 
Church in Washington.
  One story in particular highlights the very essence of L.H. Fountain. 
From the time he was three years old, L.H. had a perfect record of 
Sunday School attendance. Although as a congressman he was saddled with 
responsibilities and engagements, he was determined not to break that 
record. One Sunday he found himself aboard an Air Force plane as part 
of a congressional delegation headed for a meeting in Europe, unable to 
make it to any Sunday School. Undeterred, he quickly organized his 
colleagues into his very own class. He recruited Sen. Strom Thurmond to 
give the opening prayer, he taught the lesson, and Sen. Barry Goldwater 
gave the closing prayer.
  Although his career in Congress ended in 1983, L.H.'s work on behalf 
of the people of North Carolina did not. When I first ran for Congress, 
I again sought his counsel and guidance. And once again, he sent me 
along the right path. After the election, he was gracious and generous 
enough to show me the ropes in Washington and to school me in the 
lessons of the Second Congressional District. Although we did not 
necessarily agree on each and every issue, he reached out his hand in 
friendship.
  L.H. Fountain is one of the greatest public servants my state has 
ever produced. But, he was great not because he had the benefits of 
political connections, and wealth, or because he served for over 30 
years in this body. He was a remarkable human being because he made the 
most of his God given gifts, and he desired to make a difference in the 
lives of every North Carolinian.

                          ____________________