Roney Cheers honored by U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre recently paid tribute on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to Brunswick County citizen Roney Cheers for his lifetime of public service and commitment. Congressman McIntyre’s remarks included:

“A Tribute to Mr. Roney Cheers on Jan. 29, 2008

“Madame Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Roney Cheers of Shallotte, North Carolina, who recently passed away. The life of Mr. Cheers was diverse in experience and rich in success. The interests and endeavors of Mr. Cheers varied extensively. However, the common thread that wove all of his passions together was his devotion to and pride for his hometown of Shallotte.

“Mr. Cheers was elected mayor of Shallotte at the age of 26, the youngest in the state of North Carolina at the time, and would return to the office again years later for nearly a decade. He also served as alderman for the town of Shallotte, first in 1947 and again from 1991 to 1999. Mr. Cheers would go on to serve his state as a justice of the peace as well as magistrate. A man with an expansive vision for the future, he was instrumental in helping establish the weekly publication that currently serves many of the coastal communities in North Carolina, The Brunswick Beacon.

“Throughout his life, Mr. Cheers was also active in the non-political aspects of his community, for example, serving as chairman of the Shallotte Centennial Committee in 1998 and spearheading efforts to mark the town’s 100th anniversary and celebrate its rich history. As Co-Chairman and Co-Founder of the Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports, I appreciate his dedication to the young athletes of his community. Through his work as a volunteer referee and umpire, Mr. Cheers clearly recognized the importance of serving as a positive role model and mentor for the next generation.

“Individuals like Mr. Cheers serve as powerful inspirations for what can be accomplished with limitless energy and persistent drive. As a life-long servant to the town of Shallotte as well as one of its most devoted visionaries, Mr. Cheers never forgot the traditions of the small town he grew up in while working simultaneously towards its growth and progress. May we never forget and always be grateful for the contributions and service of Mr. Cheers.”