Whereas Duncan McLauchlin Faircloth (referred to in this preamble as Lauch Faircloth ) was born in Sampson County, North Carolina, on January 14, 1928; Whereas, growing up in a farming family, Lauch Faircloth learned the art and business of farming from his earliest years and eventually owned and operated the farm his family owned; Whereas Lauch Faircloth quickly established himself as a successful businessman, owning and operating enterprises that included farming, construction, real estate, and automobile dealerships; Whereas, in his storied public career, Lauch Faircloth served as chairman of the North Carolina Highway Commission, where he oversaw and implemented the establishment of the modern highway system in North Carolina; Whereas, from 1977 to 1983, Lauch Faircloth served as the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Commerce, leading efforts to establish North Carolina as a leader in growth and economic development; Whereas Lauch Faircloth ran in the 1984 election for Governor of North Carolina and survived a plane crash while campaigning for office; Whereas, on January 3, 1993, Lauch Faircloth was sworn into the Senate, where he served until January 3, 1999; Whereas Lauch Faircloth was a passionate advocate in the Senate for free enterprise, and championed welfare reforms to get Americans back to work; Whereas Lauch Faircloth served as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the District of Columbia, where he helped to save the capital of the United States from bankruptcy and financial ruin; and Whereas, after his service in the Senate, Lauch Faircloth returned to his home in Clinton, North Carolina, to resume management of his many businesses: Now, therefore, be it