[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 28, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE HONORABLE JAMES THOMAS BROYHILL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Bishop) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, right now, family and 
friends have gathered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to celebrate 
the life of a giant of North Carolina politics, Jim Broyhill, who 
passed away last week at 95.
  Mr. Broyhill served in this House for 23 years and briefly as a 
Member of the United States Senate.
  His story began in the town of Lenoir, where he was born the son of 
James Edgar and Satie Hunt Broyhill, whose Broyhill Furniture had 
become a thriving business and brand name known nationwide.
  Ed Broyhill, Mr. Broyhill's father, despite living in a State where 
the Republican Party was almost extinct, was a Republican national 
committeeman. Jim Broyhill listened at the kitchen table as community 
and business leaders and politicians discussed current events with his 
father. It sparked Jim's interest.
  He attended and graduated from the University of North Carolina, 
class of 1950, joined the family business, and emerged as a leader of 
the business community in his own right. He married Louise, and they 
started a family, raising three children.
  Like his father, Mr. Broyhill was passionate about politics. He also 
believed fervently in competition. More than anything, he wanted to 
build in North Carolina a competitive two-party system. In 1962, he 
materially advanced that ball in a surprise election to Congress.
  In the preceding districting process, the Democrat-dominated State 
legislature drew districts designed to eliminate the only North 
Carolina Republican in the State's congressional delegation, Charles 
Jonas of Charlotte, but the plan backfired and elected two Republicans 
to Congress, Mr. Jonas and Mr. Broyhill.
  Once in Washington, Representative Broyhill formed relationships with 
members of both parties and learned how to be an effective Member. He 
served patiently his entire career in the minority as Democrats ran 
Congress, just as he patiently nursed political competition back home. 
He advocated for lower taxes and less regulation, but he set the gold 
standard in constituent service.
  As a result, after that first bare win in 1962, he never again faced 
a serious challenge in reelection campaigns. Even now, North Carolina 
Members pay heed to the Broyhill model for serving constituent needs.
  Mr. Broyhill worked across the aisle for more rational business 
regulation and served as a mentor to fellow Republicans in Congress, 
meeting one-on-one with freshman Members and instructing them on the 
importance of constituent service and attending local events in the 
district.
  After his retirement, he briefly returned to Lenoir, and then served 
as secretary of commerce and chairman of the North Carolina Economic 
Development Commission. He worked hard to bring new business to the 
State and had a great deal of success.
  Mr. Broyhill leaves behind his wife of 71 years, Louise; son Ed, who 
serves as a Republican national committeeman himself; daughter Marilyn; 
6 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. His son Phil passed away, 
sadly, in 2014. In addition, he leaves many friends and supporters, 
grateful constituents, loyal former staff, and Members of Congress who 
followed him into this Chamber.
  Just 15 months ago, I had the privilege to meet Mr. and Mrs. Broyhill 
myself. It cemented for me the larger-than-life figure of Jim Broyhill, 
who has long since entered the pantheon of foremost North Carolina 
leaders.
  For all the care he furnished to the Republican Party as it broke 
one-party dominance in North Carolina, his first priority was Louise, 
Ed, and Marilyn, his extended family whom he loved.
  Jim Broyhill was a distinguished gentleman, a humble public servant, 
and a loyal husband, father, and friend. It is my honor to pay tribute 
to his memory today.
  Jim Broyhill, rest in peace.

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