[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 9, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DEB HAYS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
New Hanover County Commissioner Deb Hays.
  All who knew Deb knew her steadfast devotion to her family, her 
faith, and to her community. Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, 
she later made Wilmington, North Carolina, home, where she was a pillar 
in the community and her pride for New Hanover County was unmatched.
  As a New Hanover County commissioner, Deb served with the utmost 
integrity and honor. She loved nothing more than giving back to the 
citizens of Wilmington and New Hanover County and was continually 
improving the lives of those around her in every way. She was proud to 
serve as the chair of the Wilmington Planning Commission and as a 
member of the Wilmington Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.
  Beyond Deb's work and influence as a county commissioner, she was 
involved in multiple charities and community organizations, including 
the Airlie Gardens Foundation, the North Carolina Azalea Festival, the 
Wilmington Airport Authority, the Community Leaders Task Force, Lump to 
Laughter, Habitat for Humanity, and the Wilmington Area Rebuilding 
Ministry.
  Now, some of her greatest charitable accomplishments include building 
more than 20 Habitat for Humanity homes, as well as 10 homes in 
Guatemala while on a mission trip, participating in the rebuilding of 
post-hurricane New Orleans, and helping to rebuild our own communities 
in southeastern North Carolina after Hurricane Florence hit.
  Deb also enjoyed a very rewarding and successful career as a Realtor 
and will be forever loved and missed by her Intracoastal Realty family.
  Now, I have no doubt Deb's spirit and love for our community will be 
felt for many years to come. She was a fierce and gracious force for 
good, always bringing so much enthusiasm and love for every facet of 
life. The lives that have been and will continue to be impacted by her 
legacy are countless. Hers truly was a great life lived.


           Honoring the Life and Legacy of Donna Lee Giradot

  Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
Donna Giradot. Donna was a fixture in the Wilmington community and will 
be remembered as a talented business leader, dedicated public servant, 
and a great friend and mentor to so many.
  After moving to the Wilmington area in the late 1990s, Donna led a 
successful career and served New Hanover County in many different 
capacities. She began her career in southeastern North Carolina by 
working for Cape Fear Realtors. She then went on to serve as executive 
director of the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association and 
founded the Business Alliance for a Sound Economy, also known as BASE.
  Beyond her successful business endeavors, Donna held numerous 
leadership positions in our community, including four terms as chair of 
the New Hanover County Planning Board and four consecutive years as 
chair of the Wilmington International Airport Authority, making her the 
first female to chair an airport authority in North Carolina.
  Donna always stood firm in her faith and enjoyed serving her fellow 
man through her church, as well. As a testament to her commitment to 
serving others, in 2020 Donna was a recipient of the Order of the Long 
Leaf Pine award, the State's highest civilian award for service.
  Donna was a generous and great leader who will be sorely missed. Her 
numerous contributions to the Wilmington community will never, ever be 
forgotten. Hers is a tremendous legacy that will be felt for many years 
to come.

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