[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16696]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO MR. HECTOR MacLEAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 11, 2012

  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Hector 
MacLean, one of the most influential leaders ever to live in my own 
hometown of Lumberton, North Carolina. Mr. MacLean passed away on 
December 7, and he will be remembered as a banker, lawyer, World War II 
hero, mayor, state legislator, civic leader, philanthropist, Sunday 
School teacher, and friend. He will be dearly missed.
  Mr. MacLean was born Sept. 15, 1920, to Angus Wilton MacLean, who 
served as North Carolina's governor from 1925 to 1929, and Margaret 
French MacLean in Baltimore. Mr. MacLean grew up in Lumberton and 
graduated from my own alma mater, Lumberton High School, in 1937. He 
then went on to graduate from Davidson College with a Bachelor of 
Science degree in 1941.
  A courageous servant to his Nation during World War II, Mr. MacLean 
served as a Captain in General George Patton's 3rd Army during its 
successful campaigns in Europe. He was honorably discharged with the 
rank of Major and a Bronze Star Award in recognition of meritorious 
service in a combat zone.
  Upon returning from military service, Mr. MacLean enrolled in law 
school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, receiving 
his LLB degree in 1948. He returned to Lumberton to practice law, and 
his strong leadership in the community led to his being elected Mayor 
of Lumberton (1949-1953). He became president of the Bank of Lumberton, 
later called the Southern National Bank, in 1953. He also served as 
president of the Virginia and Carolina Southern Railroad Company.
  Mr. MacLean continued as an effective leader when he was appointed to 
the North Carolina Senate in 1961, where he served for 10 years. During 
his tenure, he sponsored bills that led to Pembroke State College 
becoming a part of the UNC System and the establishment of the North 
Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. He was also instrumental in bringing 
Interstate 95 through Lumberton when it was originally built. In 1997, 
it was my honor to lead the effort to designate that portion of I-95 
which is in the city limits of Lumberton as the ``Hector MacLean 
Highway.''
  During his life, Mr. MacLean contributed to numerous boards and civic 
groups, including serving as chairman of the board for St. Andrews 
Presbyterian College and on the boards for Peace College and Flora 
MacDonald College.
  Mr. MacLean has received numerous accolades for his generosity and 
dedication to improving the lives of others, including the UNC-Chapel 
Hill's Distinguished Service Award, and honorary doctor of humane 
letters degrees at St. Andrews Presbyterian College and UNC-Pembroke. 
Mr. MacLean was inducted into the N.C. Business Hall of Fame and 
awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, our State's highest civilian 
honor. Mr. Speaker, during his 92 years Hector MacLean proved himself a 
devoted and effective public servant and a man of good character. He 
was a giant of a man who touched so many lives in so many ways--in 
church, community, and professional life.
  He was also a devoted family man and dear friend. He was my neighbor 
growing up, and he was close friends with my mother, who was also a 
banker, and my father, who was a fellow Elder at our church, First 
Presbyterian of Lumberton. In fact, my father and I used to substitute 
for Mr. MacLean and teach the Lacy McKenzie Bible Class, broadcast live 
over local radio, in his absence when he was away on business trips. He 
was a mentor to me inasmuch as I sought his advice and counsel when I 
first contemplated running for the United States Congress.
  While Mr. MacLean chaired the Bicentennial Celebration of both 
Lumberton and Robeson County in 1986-87, I chaired the Bicentennial 
Celebration of the U.S. Constitution for our county. Together, we 
worked on numerous projects that we presented as joint celebrations. He 
loved Lumberton, Robeson County, North Carolina, and our great country.
  May we never forget the goodness, humility, service, and character 
that defined the life of Hector MacLean. May God continue to bless all 
of his loved ones, the work he did, and the greatness that he inspired 
within all who knew him.

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