REMEMBERING JAMES MICHAEL "MIKE" CLAMPITT

On 2026-04-21, Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) delivered a floor speech titled "REMEMBERING JAMES MICHAEL "MIKE" CLAMPITT" in the Senate. The speech addressed taxes and also covered infrastructure, agriculture. It referenced legislation including S1855, S1856.

REMEMBERING JAMES MICHAEL "MIKE" CLAMPITT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 70 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S1855-S1856] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING JAMES MICHAEL ``MIKE'' CLAMPITT Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life, service, and legacy of Representative James Michael ``Mike'' Clampitt of Bryson City, NC--a devoted public servant, firefighter, and advocate for the people of western North Carolina. Representative Clampitt passed away on March 18, 2026, at the age of 71, following a long and courageous battle with bone marrow cancer. Throughout his illness, he carried himself with strength, resilience, and an unwavering faith that defined his life. Mike Clampitt dedicated his life to service. Prior to his election to public office, he served as a fire captain, and that frontline experience shaped his perspective and guided his work in government, particularly his commitment to supporting first responders across North Carolina. First elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2016 and taking office in 2017, Representative Clampitt served the 119th District, representing the mountain communities of Swain, Jackson, and Transylvania Counties. He quickly became known as a strong and consistent advocate for rural western North Carolina. During his time in the general assembly, Representative Clampitt worked to advance policies that supported public safety, strengthened local infrastructure, and ensured that rural communities of western North Carolina were not overlooked. He was heavily engaged in efforts to increase resources for first responders and to secure meaningful support for communities in western North Carolina recovering from Hurricane Helene. Those who served alongside him knew him as a man of conviction and individuality. Those who met Mike would never forget him. He brought a distinct personality to the legislature, often recognized for his colorful wardrobe, silvery beard and mustache, and the wooden coins he would distribute as his ``business card.'' Representative Clampitt will be most remembered for his willingness to stand firmly for the people and principles he believed in. North Carolina Speaker of the House Destin Hall described him as ``a true patriot'' who viewed public service as both a calling and a duty. That sense of purpose was evident in the way Representative Clampitt approached his work and in the relationships he built with constituents. He remained committed to his district until the very end, having recently secured victory in his party's primary election, a reflection of the [[Page S1856]] trust and confidence placed in him by the people he served. His strength while battling his illness resonated deeply with his colleagues and his constituents. Beyond his legislative accomplishments, Mike Clampitt will be remembered as a man deeply connected to his community: a neighbor, a friend, and a public servant who cared deeply about western North Carolina. To his family, friends, colleagues, constituents, and his legislative assistant Young Bae, we extend our deepest condolences. His life of service leaves a lasting legacy in the mountains of North Carolina. ____________________