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Rep. Heath Shuler

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an outstanding public servant and dedicated volunteer in Yancey County, North Carolina. Mr. Clyde McIntosh of Burnsville committed his life to service and activism. After graduating from Burnsville High School in 1950, Mr. McIntosh proudly served four years in the United States Navy. Upon completion of his service, he moved back to the mountains of Western North Carolina where he built a successful real estate and development business and operated a dairy farm. During this period, he worked diligently toward the goal of preserving the rural heritage of the area.

Mr. McIntosh assumed public office when he was elected Sheriff of Yancey County in 1986. From 1999 to 2005, he served on the Board of Directors of the Yancey County Department of Social Services, spending a portion of his tenure as Chair. For many years, Mr. McIntosh was an active community volunteer for the Lions Club and Meals on Wheels.

Mr. McIntosh worked for years to educate Yancey County youth on the importance of civic engagement and community involvement. He acted as a mentor for the Young Democrats organization of Yancey County, encouraging young people to be politically active.

I commend his outstanding contributions to the Democratic Party. In April 2001, he was named Mountain Democrat of the Year and also served as the Yancey County Democratic Party Chair. He served as Precinct Chair for both Jacks Creek and Burnsville Townships.

Our mountain community is a better place because of Mr. McIntosh's devotion to activism and service. Mr. McIntosh was an invaluable presence in the lives of the many people he inspired and helped through his work. Though he will be missed, I know this legacy will live on for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the exemplary life of Mr. Clyde McIntosh of Yancey County, North Carolina.