Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleague, Mr. Butterfield, in honoring the life of a towering figure in North Carolina politics, Senator Ralph Hunt, Sr., of Durham. I first got to know Senator Hunt early in my political career when I was chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party. Ralph was already a business and community leader in Durham, having served in the U.S. Army, taught in Durham city schools, started a career in business, and served as one of the first African-American members of the city council, where he served from 1975 to 1985, including 3 years as mayor pro tempore. Ralph was a genial, energetic, and beloved leader. He was also a tireless advocate for the needs of the people of Durham--all of the people. It is no coincidence that the city has undergone a renaissance over the course of Ralph's long career. He served as executive director of the Durham Business and Professional Chain for over a decade. He provided leadership to the Mutual Savings and Loan Association, which provided vital access to capital for many Durham residents; and to the Downtown Durham Revitalization Foundation board, which helped pave the way for the thriving downtown we see today. Ralph, of course, is best known, as my colleague has noted, for his service in the North Carolina Senate from 1985 to 1993, and again from 2004 to 2005. He held various leadership positions in our caucus, and he mentored a new generation of progressive elected officials.…”