[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 196 (Wednesday, November 29, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. JAMES WEST

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WILEY NICKEL

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 29, 2023

  Mr. NICKEL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with a heavy heart to honor the 
life and legacy of a true champion of the people, Dr. James West, a 
revered Wake County Commissioner and a beacon of hope for many in our 
community. It's with deep sorrow that we mark his passing, but with 
immense gratitude that we celebrate his legacy.
  Dr. James West dedicated his life to public service, always striving 
to uplift those in need. From his early days as a college student in 
the 1960s, peacefully protesting segregation in Greensboro alongside 
Jesse Jackson, to his extensive service as a Raleigh City Councilman 
and Wake County Commissioner, his journey was marked by a relentless 
commitment to justice and equality.
  His academic achievements, including a doctorate in education, and a 
three-decade-long career at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension 
Service at NC State University laid the foundation for his deep 
understanding of the issues facing our community. Dr. West was proud to 
be the first black person in the U.S. to become Director of County 
Operations for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, with 
the responsibility of supervising over 1,000 faculty and staff members.
  Dr. West's tenure on the Raleigh City Council, including his time as 
Mayor Pro Tem, was characterized by his visionary leadership and his 
ability to forge meaningful partnerships. His work with the Southeast 
Raleigh Alliance, which he co-founded, exemplified his commitment to 
economic empowerment and community development.
  In his role as a County Commissioner, Dr. West was instrumental in 
the creation of the Live Well Wake initiative, aimed at enhancing the 
health and wellbeing of the community. His efforts to expand affordable 
housing and his leadership in the Health and Human Services Committee 
highlight his holistic approach to public service and his belief that 
every individual deserves dignity and stability.
  Dr. West's legacy is not just in the programs he initiated or the 
policies he championed, but in the countless lives he touched, the 
community leaders he inspired, and the unquantifiable impact of his 
compassion and leadership.
  We remember Dr. West for his ``Dr. West-isms,'' his wisdom, and his 
unwavering faith in the power of community. He taught us the importance 
of strengthening our ``spiritual infrastructure,'' and he believed 
deeply in the potential of every individual.
  As we mourn Dr. James West's passing, we also celebrate his 
extraordinary life--a life dedicated to service, equality, and the 
betterment of Wake County and its people. My thoughts are with his 
family, friends, and all those who were fortunate enough to know him.

                          ____________________