[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 136 (Friday, September 9, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1238-E1239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMENDING THE NORTH CAROLINA JUSTICE CENTER'S 2016 CHAMPIONS OF 
                                JUSTICE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 9, 2016

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize five 
individuals from my home state of North Carolina who are being honored 
as Champions of Justice by the North Carolina Justice Center: Former 
North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, President of the NC State AFL-CIO 
James Andrews, North Carolina State Representative Henry ``Mickey'' 
Michaux Jr., former University of North Carolina System President Tom 
Ross, and former North Carolina State Senator Leslie Winner. I also 
applaud Former Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake, Jr. on being presented 
with the Center's Executive Director Award for Service.
  Mr. Speaker, these individuals will be honored by the North Carolina 
Justice Center at its 20th Annual Champion of Justice Gala on September 
10, 2016 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since its founding in 1996, the 
North Carolina Justice Center has been a leader in progressive research 
and advocacy for economic and social justice in North Carolina. The 
Center focuses on issues of concern to low- and middle-income North 
Carolinians by ensuring access to resources, services, and fair 
treatment for all.
  Former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt is a native of my hometown, 
Wilson, North Carolina. He will be presented with the Champion of 
Justice Award for his work on behalf of North Carolina's students, 
families, and communities in the areas of education and equal rights 
during his record four terms as governor.
  Mr. James Andrews is the current President of the North Carolina 
state AFL-CIO, and the first full-time elected African-American state 
federation president in the country's history. A Vietnam Veteran and 
recipient of the Purple Heart, Mr. Andrews has been a lifelong and 
passionate activist for civil rights and social justice in North 
Carolina and has also served on the AFL-CIO's Executive Council.
  The Honorable Henry ``Mickey'' Michaux, Jr. is the longest-serving 
member of the North Carolina General Assembly. A lifelong resident of 
Durham, North Carolina, Representative Michaux has dedicated his life 
and career to voting rights advocacy in North Carolina. He is a 
founding member and was the first chairman of the North Carolina Black 
Leadership Caucus.
  Mr. Thomas W. Ross, Sr. is the former president of the 17-campus 
University of North Carolina System. Prior to becoming President of the 
UNC System, Mr. Ross had a long career in education, where he served as 
President of Davidson College, executive director of the Z. Smith 
Reynolds Foundation, and as a Superior Court judge.
  Ms. Leslie Winner is a three-term State Senator and a former Senate 
majority whip. She currently serves as the executive director of the 
Winston-Salem based Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, where she has led the 
foundation's statewide influence in civic, educational, and 
philanthropic initiatives through grants to small nonprofits, and by 
supporting the creation of BEST NC, a group of business

[[Page E1239]]

leaders who present elected officials with a business rationale and 
recommendations for supporting public education.
  The Honorable I. Beverly Lake, Jr. is a former Chief Justice on the 
North Carolina Supreme Court and the driving force behind North 
Carolina's nationally recognized Actual Innocence Commission. He has 
devoted his career to public service. He will be presented with the 
Executive Director Award for Service to North Carolina for his work on 
criminal justice reform.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing these 
outstanding North Carolinians, who have selflessly sought justice and 
equality for their fellow citizens.

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