[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 27 (Thursday, March 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING JAMES WESLEY ``WILLIE'' YORK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 4, 2004

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to James Wesley ``Willie'' York. Mr. York was a builder, developer, 
realtor and philanthropist whose creativity and generosity have shaped 
Raleigh and the State of North Carolina in ways we will appreciate and 
honor for years to come. He died in Raleigh on March 2, at the age of 
91, after an outstanding career that spanned the 20th century.
  Long before shopping malls and urban planning became the norm in 
America, Mr. York took the bold step of developing land that combined 
multifamily housing and shopping facilities in a community setting. 
When it opened in 1949, Raleigh's Cameron Village was the first 
shopping center in the Southeast, and it has flourished through 
multiple changes in the years since. From that visionary development, 
Mr. York completed numerous other construction projects that have 
become landmarks in Raleigh. They include York Industrial Park, the 
Raleigh Farmers' Market, the Velvet Cloak Inn, Mission Valley Inn and 
Shopping Center, and Northgate Shopping Center in Durham.
  Mr. York was also a public servant and made numerous contributions in 
this arena to enhance the public good. As a member of the Raleigh 
School Board, he became a leader in the peaceful desegregation of the 
school system. J. W. York Elementary School was named for him in 1965 
in recognition of his efforts. From 1976 to 1985, Mr. York brought 
visionary leadership to the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority to ensure 
that it would continue to meet the demands of a growing region. By 
organizing major bond campaigns, he raised over $163 million to finance 
construction of a major runway, additional terminals, and ground 
transportation. A 1933 graduate of North Carolina State University, Mr. 
York was also a life-long Wolfpack fan and devoted supporter of that 
institution. His leadership and generous contributions shaped 
development of the campus and gave life to the J. C. Raulston 
Arboretum.
  Mr. York is survived by seven children, 13 grandchildren, and four 
great-grandchildren. I particularly want to acknowledge the leadership 
of his son Smedes, who has continued his father's development and 
philanthropic work. Smedes' tenure as mayor of Raleigh from 1979-83 was 
a progressive era for our capital city, and he has been a respected 
voice in many projects before and since.
  The Fourth Congressional District and all of North Carolina are more 
livable places because of Mr. York's vision and gutsy determination to 
enhance the character of our infrastructure and the life of our 
communities. His legacy is much more than the bricks and mortar of his 
buildings; they are visible symbols of his strength and imagination. 
They will continue to be welcome reminders of his leadership in the 
years ahead.

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