[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 158 (Thursday, September 28, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E906-E907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO REP. DAVID MACK III

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2023

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a passionate civil 
rights advocate, trusted community voice, and humble public servant. 
South Carolina State Representative David James Mack III transitioned 
from this life on September 20, 2023, in Charleston, South Carolina. He 
will be well remembered and sorely missed.
  David Mack III was born on December 13, 1953, in Charleston, South 
Carolina to David J. Mack, Jr. and Dorothy Mack. Representative Mack 
attended Charleston public schools and pursued higher education at 
Howard University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree 
in 1975. There he joined Omega Psi Phi, my own fraternity, which he 
credited with having played a pivotal role in shaping his values and 
his work throughout his life. He embodied the cardinal principles he 
learned as a proud member of our Omega brotherhood: Manhood, 
Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift.
  The value of community service was instilled in Representative Mack 
early in his life. After graduating from Howard, he returned to 
Charleston and began working at the Committee on Better Racial 
Assurance (COBRA). At COBRA, he dedicated himself to the organization's 
mission of bringing about equality in the Charleston community and 
providing services for individuals and families with Sickle Cell 
Anemia. Representative Mack served at the organization for 47 years in 
various capacities, including Part-Time Assistant Director, Coordinator 
of Sickle Cell Services, and Part-Time Hemoglobinopathy Counselor. He 
also served on COBRA's Board of Directors until his passing.
  In addition to his work at COBRA, Representative Mack served the 
Charleston community in numerous ways. He worked with the Carolina 
Youth Development Center and served on the Boards of Directors of the 
Opportunities Industrialization Center and the South Carolina Substance 
Abuse Commission. He was also a passionate civil rights advocate and 
served on the Board of the South Carolina Coalition for Black Voter 
Participation. He was a member of the North Charleston Branch of the 
NAACP and Charleston Chapter of Rainbow PUSH.
  Representative Mack was a firm believer in the notion that knowledge 
is power and relished the opportunity to communicate important 
information to the people of Charleston. He became the host of the WPAL 
Radio station talk show ``Open Rap'' in 1979, and ``Drive Time 
Dialogue'' in 1986. At Sunrise Communications of Charleston, where 
Representative Mack served as president, he created the PM Urban 
Edition talk show. Most recently, David created The David Mack Radio 
Show where he had conversations with civil leaders, academics, and 
health professionals in the Charleston community.
  Representative Mack was elected to the South Carolina House of 
Representatives for District 109 in 1997 and served in the South 
Carolina General Assembly for 24 years. Deeply respected by colleagues 
on both sides of the aisle, he served with distinction on the

[[Page E907]]

Labor, Commerce, and Industry; Judiciary; and Medical, Military, and 
Municipal Affairs committees. He was also a proud member of the South 
Carolina Legislative Black Caucus and was elected by his peers to serve 
as Chairman.
  A man of faith, Representative Mack was a longtime member and leader 
of the historic Old Bethel United Methodist Church in downtown 
Charleston. He was beloved by his family, and together with his wife 
Sheryl Ann they had 3 sons--David IV, Brandon, and Daniel.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in recognizing 
the life and legacy of Representative David Mack III. The entire 
Charleston community and the state of South Carolina is grateful for 
his lifetime of public service. He leaves a rich legacy that will 
continue to touch generations of South Carolinians for years to come.

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