[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING HELEN C. VANCE ON RECEIVING THE BROWN-HUDSON AWARD FROM 
                  THE NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLORE SOCIETY

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                           HON. HEATH SHULER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 23, 2010

  Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Helen C. 
Vance on receiving the Brown-Hudson Award from the North Carolina 
Folklore Society for her outstanding work to preserve the North Shore 
Cemeteries in Swain County, North Carolina.
  In the 1940s, many families in Western North Carolina were displaced 
when the Fontana Dam was constructed on the Little Tennessee River in 
Swain County, and as a result they had to leave behind their homesites 
and family cemeteries. Plans to build the North Shore Road that would 
connect displaced families to their old homesites were discontinued in 
the 1960s. Although the lack of a road makes it difficult to access 
these sites, Ms. Vance has worked hard to ensure that local communities 
are able to visit their cemeteries.
  For over 30 years, Ms. Vance has organized the Appalachian tradition 
of Decoration Day, a day where relatives, friends, and neighbors of the 
deceased in Western North Carolina travel together on trails through 
the woods, or by boat over the Fontana Lake to these local these 
cemeteries for a day of remembrance. On Decoration Day, communities 
spend the day together cleaning the cemeteries and placing decorations 
on the sites.
  The Brown-Hudson Award recognizes Ms. Vance's exceptional 
contributions to preserving our traditions in our mountain region, and 
her tireless work to maintain the North Shore cemeteries for future 
generations. Her community activism is a source of pride to me and to 
Western North Carolina.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues today to rise with me in 
recognizing the amazing efforts of Ms. Vance, and the dedication she 
has shown to preserving the historic North Shore cemeteries Western 
North Carolina. I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating her 
outstanding commitment to our community traditions.

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