[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 17, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E721]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF WILLIAM HARVEY PRITCHETT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROBERT HURT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 17, 2016

  Mr. HURT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks to 
commemorate the life of William Harvey Pritchett of Pittsylvania 
County, Virginia, who passed away May 7, 2016 at age 88.
  Mr. Pritchett was a man who believed in service to God, family, 
community and country. He was a faithful member of Bethel Baptist 
Church where he taught Sunday School and served as Sunday School 
Superintendent. Mr. Pritchett also served as a Deacon, a Trustee, 
Choir, and Chorus Member and in various other committee and leadership 
capacities both inside and outside of the church.
  Mr. Pritchett, a native of Danville, graduated from Langston High 
School, attended Danville Community College, and earned his associate's 
degree in business from Christian Brothers College in Memphis, 
Tennessee. He also served our country for two years in the United 
States Army during World War II. Mr. Pritchett retired as a District 
Manager for Universal Life Insurance Company, where he worked for 
twenty five years.
  Mr. Pritchett was the first African-American to serve on the 
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors and was a man who inspired 
many others to public service. He held the Banister District Supervisor 
seat for 20 years--first elected in 1991 and serving five terms before 
retiring in 2011. Mr. Pritchett also served six years as Vice Chairman 
and chaired the Board of Supervisors in 1996.
  Mr. Pritchett was a strong advocate for education and establishing a 
local recreation department in Pittsylvania County; he served as 
president of the Dan River-Blairs Civic League, served on the 
Pittsylvania County Social Services board, served as the President of 
the Chief Elected Officials of the Workforce Investment Act, and 
Chaired the Dan River Business Development Center Board.
  Mr. Pritchett is fondly remembered by all of his compatriots, 
including his successor, Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors 
Chairman Jessie Barksdale, who stated, ``It was very obvious to me that 
Mr. Pritchett just had a passion to help other people [. . .] If not 
for Mr. Pritchett, I am positive I would not have run for office of any 
kind.''
  On the occasion of the passing of William Harvey Pritchett, I ask 
that the Members of this House of Representatives join with me and the 
entire Pritchett family including his wife of 63 years, Lillie G. 
Pritchett, son Cedric Pritchett, brother Nelson Pritchett, and the 
community of Pittsylvania County, Virginia in honoring the memory of a 
great leader.

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