Donald G. Davis

Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2026

in committee

Rural Uplift and Revitalization Assistance Act

in committee

Farm Transitions Act of 2025

in committee

“Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Yarbrough Williams, Jr., who was born on March 24, 1950, in Warren County, North Carolina to the late Yarbrough Williams, Sr. and Mildred R. Fields. He was called by God to eternal rest on January 13, 2026, at the age of 75, following a brief illness at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. Yarbrough was the oldest of eight children and proudly lived in Warrenton his whole life. He graduated from John R. Hawkins High School in 1968. Yarbrough started building his own house at the age of 19, despite resistance from bankers and others who told him he was too young. While building the house, he took courses at Vance Granville Community College. He went on to attend North Carolina State University and became certified to teach Vocational Education. He then received further education at North Carolina A&T State University, Appalachian State University, and South Carolina State University. After helping his family in the tobacco and cucumber fields, the decision to work in masonry was an easy one. Yarbrough became known as one of ``Exum's Boys'', having learned the skilled, specialized trade of bricklaying from Wilford Exum in high school. Back then, Warren County was the capital of bricklaying. Yarbrough worked as a mason by day and went to school at night. He was a foreman for a construction company. In 1970, he was offered a teaching job to help integrate the Franklin County Schools. After much prayer and thought, as well as a sizable reduction in pay, Yarbrough went to work at Franklinton High School, where he started the brick- laying program teaching masonry, blueprint reading and drafting. Teaching was his calling, but he taught much more than bricklaying. He instilled in his students respect, self-discipline, and common sense, giving them life lessons in every way possible. He felt strongly that being a father figure and advocate meant setting up his students for success, often ensuring that they had jobs before graduating from high school. Yarbrough's students scored in the top of their region and district for 25 years. They won three state championships, many regional, district, and national championships and several other masonry awards. In the early years, he visited students' homes to learn more about them and sometimes even helped them get to school. He supervised school clubs, led fundraising drives to take students on field trips across the country; he also took his own children and frequently his mom. In 33 years as a school teacher, Yarbrough Williams loved his students and they loved him back. He was that beloved teacher who encouraged and organized both parents and teachers when the need arose. The masonry program started with only seven students, but it grew so much that new facilities were needed to meet the demand. An entrepreneur from an early age, he was the first Black business owner that his students encountered. Many followed his lead working for themselves. While teaching school, Yarbrough also built and ran a 3,000 head hog farm, a trucking company and a construction company. He retired in Yarbrough touched and taught thousands of students, reaching future generations. Even after his retirement, Yarbrough continued encouraging former students, giving advice when requested. Throughout his life, starting as a young man, Yarbrough became involved and active in his church and community. In church, Yarbrough had many roles from deacon and trustee to Bible Study teacher at both Shocco Chapel Baptist Church and Coley Springs Missionary Baptist Church. It was his strong faith that propelled him into community and political organizing. In those early years, he caught the attention of many of the African American men who were pioneers and giants in Warren County, learning all he could from them. Politics became a passion. Yarbrough served on the PTA, Board of Education, helped start and served as chair of the Warren County Political Action Council. He was instrumental in getting Black men and women elected to office to represent the majority of the population. He was named Teacher of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and received numerous other awards and honors throughout his life, including being listed in Who's Who Among Black Americans for a decade. Yarbrough worked to get people registered to vote, and for 10 years was Chair of the Warren County Democratic Party. In 2008, Yarbrough joined the Board of Trustees of the Warren County Community Center. Taking a lesson from his years as a teacher, Yarbrough paved the way to start Race to the Top A's Fund Program, a way to encourage high school students to get better grades. He also supervised the total building rehabilitation of the historic Warren County Community Center. His love for the land led him to purchase property and create two farms, places that brought him peace, purpose and pride throughout his life. With his commanding presence, warm smile and gift of gab, Yarbr”

2026-02-13 · Government Reform

“Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, James Baxter Hunt, Jr., a farm-boy who became North Carolina's longest-serving governor, died on December 18, 2025. He was 88. Governor Hunt died at home on his Wilson County farm, where he grew up and still lived with his wife of 67 years, Carolyn Joyce Leonard Hunt. He was born in Greensboro on May 16, 1937, the son of James B. Hunt, Sr., a farmer and soil conservationist, and Elsie Brame Hunt, a beloved English teacher. He grew up on his family's dairy farm in Wilson and graduated from Rock Ridge High School. ``Jimmy'' met Carolyn as a senior in high school at a National Grange Youth Convention in Ohio. When they met, Carolyn was living on her family's cattle farm in Mingo, Iowa. Jimmy would frequently hitchhike for 36 hours to see Carolyn during his school breaks. Their courtship, marriage, and long life together was a true partnership. [[Page E26]] Carolyn, a teacher, was equally committed to public education and public service, including volunteering at schools throughout her life and leadership in Friendship Force. Together, they finished college and graduate school in North Carolina, with his undergraduate and master's degrees at North Carolina State University and her undergraduate degree and his law degree at UNC-Chapel Hill. After law school, they lived for two years in Nepal, where Hunt worked as a Ford Foundation economic adviser. When they returned to Wilson County, Hunt was elected president of the state Young Democrats in 1968. He chaired a reform commission that opened state party leadership positions to minorities, women, and young people. He listened to all people and maintained a laser focus on getting things done, even if it meant a hundred phone calls or a thousand handshakes in one day. It could always be done. During his campaigns, he drove to every county in the state, stopping to eat barbecue and shake more hands. He loved to enjoy good food, especially with his family. Whether it was Carolyn cooking a seafood breakfast or fish on Fridays at Papa Jack's, he was always game. His Christian faith was a central part of his life, first at Marsh Swamp Baptist Church and later at First Presbyterian Church of Wilson. In every place they lived, including Nepal, Jimmy loved singing in the church choir with his wife. Music gave him so much joy. He would always sing songs with his brother and their wives at the annual Hunt holiday gathering. Hunt had a great love for working on his family farm and having Simmental cattle, and he was also a voracious reader throughout his life. Reading multiple newspapers each day was a common practice. While Hunt made an immeasurable impact on all North Carolinians, his dedication and love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great, grandchildren was above all. His passion for sports was strong, specifically N.C. State athletics. He took his family to all the games he could and watched the ones he could not attend. Jimmy and Carolyn never forgot a birthday or anniversary, always marked by a call with a beautifully sung ``Happy Birthday'' song. Carolyn's birthday was always marked by a family beach trip. Jimmy loved to swim in the ocean with his children, often floating on a raft. He cared deeply for his grandchildren and was very active with all of them. He would frequently be found fishing in the pond on his farm, swimming in the pool, or playing basketball with them. No matter the activity, he made sure to teach lessons along the way on how to stand up for what is right, always reminding them that ``Hunts aren't quitters''. His unwavering support and endless love for his family is something they will never forget. In 1972, he was elected lieutenant governor and immediately got to work to establish statewide public kindergartens, raise teacher pay and protect governors' powers from legislative intrusion. In 1976, he was elected governor for the first time; he was 38 years old. Hunt served as governor for an unprecedented four terms, totaling 16 years. Carolyn's love and dedication to supporting her husband and raising their four children allowed Hunt to dedicate so much of his life to serving the people of North Carolina. As North Carolina's First Lady, Carolyn welcomed a constant stream of schoolchildren and other visitors from the state and beyond to the Executive Mansion. Hunt is remembered by countless North Carolinians whom he led and inspired through more than 60 years of political and public service. He led North Carolina's transformation from a poor, largely rural state of farms and factories to a fast growing magnet for research, technology, and bioscience. When he left office at the beginning of the 21st Century, the state was recognized as one of the best places in the Nation to live and do business. Hunt loved North Carolina and its people. He believed in the limitless potential that can come from hard work, dedication, passion, and perseverance. His life was a direct representation of those values a”

2026-01-12 · Government Reform

“Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a century of excellence by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Chi Omega Chapter located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The Chi Omega Chapter was chartered under the leadership of Anna Easter Brown, one of the original 16 founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The chapter is home of Ruth Anderson Smith, who has served as a member over 75 years and is 103 years old. She is a Chi Omega diamond. Three Chi Omega pearls, who have served over 65 years of membership. With 12 over 50 years, who are Chi Omega Golden members. Hundred years of mentorship, educational support, health advocacy, and a steadfast commitment to our HBCUs, and transforming lives and strengthening eastern North Carolina. I congratulate everyone who came to celebrate this amazing celebration of 100 years, including the guest speaker, 30th International President, Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director Nadine Vargas Stewart, Charter President Davida Jones, and all the members of the Chi Omega Chapter. ____________________”

2025-12-19 · Government Reform