A letter of appreciation
Dear Representative Willingham,
I want to offer my heartfelt thanks for your years of service to the people of House District 23 and to the State of North Carolina.
Public service is rarely easy. It requires time away from family, long days, difficult decisions and the willingness to listen to people who may not always agree with you. Throughout your service, you have shown that representing a district means caring for all its people—not only those who share your political views.
I have especially appreciated your willingness to work with people across party lines when you believed it could help the citizens you served. At a time when cooperation can be misunderstood or criticized, you were willing to put people ahead of politics. That deserves respect.
My gratitude is also personal. There were situations in which I asked for your help even though you had no obligation to become involved. You listened, offered guidance and made an honest effort to help. Those moments may never appear in a newspaper or a list of legislative accomplishments, but they revealed something important about your character.
Respect grows from how a person treats others, how faithfully he serves and whether he is willing to help when help is needed. By those measures, you have earned my sincere appreciation.
Thank you for your service, for the kindness you showed me and for the example you set by being willing to work with others for the good of Eastern North Carolina. I wish you and your family happiness and success in the years ahead.
With sincere gratitude,
Charles Brent Roberson
View Representative Willingham’s official legislative biography →