[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 92 (Monday, June 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO MR. RALPH POTTER

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 18, 2012

  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise with sorrow today following the 
passing of Ralph Potter of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Mr. Potter was 
a proprietor of almost fifty restaurants in the Carolinas, beloved 
member of the community, devoted family man, dear friend, and effective 
public servant. Mr. Potter passed away on June 2, 2012 at the age of 
75, and he will be dearly missed.
  Ralph Potter grew up in Wilmington, attended New Hanover High School, 
and then enrolled at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he was the first in his 
family to graduate from college. He went on to earn his juris doctor 
from UNC School of Law, which he would later use to serve his community 
as the president of the state restaurant association. His strong work 
ethic and intelligence helped earn him the Methodist University's 
Entrepreneur and Businessman of the Year award, and his restaurants can 
now be found throughout North and South Carolina. Outside of business, 
Mr. Potter was devoted to his family, to his church and his community, 
and he will long remain a well-known and influential figure in 
Fayetteville.
  Mr. Potter was very active in the American Hellenic Educational 
Progressive Association as a reflection of his proud Greek heritage, 
and supported education efforts through his such as the Ira Douglas 
Potter Memorial and Ralph M. Potter Scholarship Funds at UNC, as well 
as a scholarship fund at Salem College. He pushed for the creation of 
the first Cumberland County Public library, along with his roles at the 
board of trustees of Fayetteville Academy and ARC of Cumberland County. 
He always worked hard to address community challenges in Fayetteville, 
and always did so with humor and kindness.
  Mr. Potter was also recognized for his deep faith in Christ, and was 
active at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. There he 
taught Bible study, established the Paris and Potter Endowment Fund for 
the church, and became a godfather for the church at its consecration. 
We know today that he is resting at home in peace and joy with his 
Savior.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Potter was a personal friend of mine and I have the 
utmost respect for his integrity, business acumen and his strong 
commitment to church and community. May we never forget the goodness, 
humility, service, and character that defined his life. He is survived 
by his wife, Dena Fasul Potter, son Nicholas D. Potter, daughter 
Rebecca Cooke and numerous grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. 
May God continue to bless all of his loved ones, the work he did, and 
the greatness that he inspired within all who knew him.

                          ____________________