[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 4 (Friday, January 9, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E54]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE SERVICE OF ROBERT H. CHRISTY, JR., CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT 
                  FOR BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HEATH SHULER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 9, 2009

  Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Robert H. 
Christy, Jr., on his impending retirement. He has faithfully and 
effectively served as the Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court for 
the past 18 years and will retire on December 31, 2008.
  Since his initial swearing in on September 1, 1990, Bob Christy has 
overseen the court system during a time of tremendous growth. During 
that time, his office has grown from 47 employees to 65. Criminal and 
civil court filings have more than doubled during his tenure. 
Previously practicing law in the community, Christy's experience as an 
assistant clerk of court to J. Ray Ellingburg for 7 years prepared him 
well for the clerkship.
  As Clerk of Court, Christy managed Buncombe County's District Court 
and Superior Court, an operation that entails approximately $25 million 
in annual revenue. Beyond monetary responsibilities, Christy supervised 
record-keeping in the local courts for all civil actions, special 
proceedings, court minutes, liens and other actions.
  Mr. Christy found opportunity in the clerkship to express his great 
compassion for the elderly, the bereaved, and the struggling of 
Buncombe County. Over the past 18 years, the Clerk of Court has handled 
such delicate matters as juvenile crime, adoption, domestic violence, 
and issues of wills and estates. Christy operated the clerk's office 
with an open door policy in which he counseled on legal matters but 
also strove to alleviate the emotional concerns of those in need.
  As a public servant, Christy had a great passion and respect for the 
office that he held. During his tenure, he served as president of the 
North Carolina Clerks Association, overseeing the executive committee 
in decisionmaking that in turn affected 10,000 clerks in the 100 
counties across the state. He served on the Governor's Crime Commission 
and the boards of the North Carolina Courts Commission and the North 
Carolina Credit Union. He worked closely with the bar association in 
the county and is known for having strong relationships with area 
attorneys.
  In his private life as well, he is known for activism and 
involvement. The Democratic Party in Buncombe County has honored 
Christy with several awards. He is an active member of Central United 
Methodist Church. In retirement, Christy will be returning to private 
legal practice with his long-time friend, Asheville attorney Jack 
Stewart.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Mr. Robert Christy today, to thank 
him for his tremendous service to the community, and to wish him well 
in his retirement.

                          ____________________