[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S2234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL GORDON

  Mr. TILLIS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate Michael A. ``Mike'' Gordon on his induction into the Order 
of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the highest honors in the State of North 
Carolina.
  Mike Gordon has spent his life in service to his community and our 
State. He served for 24 years in the North Carolina Army National 
Guard, retiring as a senior noncommissioned officer, where he 
demonstrated strong leadership, discipline, and a deep commitment to 
duty. Those same qualities carried into his civilian life, where he 
became a pillar of the Archer Lodge community.
  In Johnston County, Mike has led in many capacities. He dedicated 
nearly two decades to the Archer Lodge Volunteer Fire Department, 
including 10 years as president, and also served as president of the 
Johnston County Firemen's Association. He went on to serve as mayor of 
Archer Lodge from 2009 to 2018, helping guide the town through a period 
of growth while preserving its strong sense of community. As the town's 
first administrator, he helped establish the structure and operations 
that continue to serve residents today.
  Mike's commitment extends well beyond public office. He has spent 
more than 30 years volunteering with the Archer Lodge Community Center 
and played a key role in the creation of the Archer Lodge Water 
District, supporting critical infrastructure and public health in the 
community. He has also remained active in honoring veterans and 
supporting local families and is a longtime member of White Oak Baptist 
Church.
  The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is reserved for individuals who have 
made a lasting and meaningful impact on North Carolina. Mike Gordon's 
lifetime of service reflects that standard in every respect. I 
congratulate Mike on this well-deserved recognition and thank him for 
his continued service to Johnston County and the State of North 
Carolina.

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