[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 167 (Thursday, October 12, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MAYOR KOKA BOOTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WILEY NICKEL

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 12, 2023

  Mr. NICKEL. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, it's with great reverence that I 
rise today to celebrate the life and legacy of Mayor Koka Booth, Jr., a 
cherished leader who dedicated his life to the town of Cary, North 
Carolina. Koka Booth's enduring impact on our community is 
immeasurable, and I'm honored to pay tribute to his memory.
  Koka Booth was born on August 12, 1932, in Kenova, West Virginia. His 
journey through life was filled with remarkable achievements and 
selfless service to others. After graduating from Kenova High School in 
1950, Koka's path led him to Rocky Mount where he met his beloved wife, 
Blanche W. Booth. The two were wed in 1954, embarking on a lifelong 
journey together.
  Koka later made his home in Cary, North Carolina, and rejoined 
Aeroglide Corporation before he devoted his talents to the SAS 
Institute, until his retirement in 2007. Koka Booth held an unwavering 
love for the town of Cary, often saying that he may not have been from 
Cary, but he got there as swiftly as he could.
  This love for his community led him to serve on the Cary town council 
from 1977 to 1987, followed by a distinguished tenure as the town's 
Mayor until 1999. Koka's visionary leadership played a pivotal role in 
shaping Cary from a town of 18,000 residents to a thriving, family-
friendly community of 94,000 by the 1990's. His groundwork paved the 
way for Cary to become North Carolina's seventh largest city.
  In addition to his political and business accomplishments, Koka Booth 
was a man of exceptional character and a dedicated mentor. He shared 
his wealth of experience with the youth of his community as a 
Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts.
  In 2001, Cary honored Koka Booth's dedication and passion by naming 
the iconic Koka Booth Amphitheater in his honor. This gesture 
encapsulates the town's profound gratitude for his unwavering 
commitment to its betterment and his profound love for music. Koka 
Booth saw his life's mission as one of community service, and he 
fulfilled that mission with an unwavering dedication to the town of 
Cary and its cherished residents.
  As we mourn the loss of a true Cary luminary, we also celebrate a 
life well-lived and a legacy that will endure for generations to come. 
Koka Booth's impact on our community is undeniable, and we are 
fortunate to have been touched by his enthusiastic efforts and 
innovative leadership.
  Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in 
honoring the life and legacy of Mr. Koka Booth, Jr. and to extend our 
deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire community of 
Cary, North Carolina.
  May his memory inspire us to continue his work in building and 
nurturing the wonderful town he loved so dearly.

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