The University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Randall Library will open an exhibit featuring congressional papers and artifacts of former Congressman Mike McIntyre, who represented the region in Washington, D.C., for 18 years.
Titled “Mike Works for Me from SENC to Washington D.C.,” the exhibit holds an opening reception Thursday, Feb. 11, on the library’s second floor special collections room from 5–7 p.m.
The collection will include photographs, congressional awards and recognitions, a press release from UNCW states, adding that the exhibit will allow students, faculty, staff and other researchers to gain a better understanding of the legislative process and North Carolina’s history.
McIntyre, a Democrat, represented North Carolina’s 7th congressional district from 1997 to 2015, choosing not to run for re-election for a 10th term in 2014. Republican David Rouzer, the current 7th district representative, won the election to fill the open seat. McIntyre replaced another longtime congressman, Charlie Rose, who served for 24 years before retiring. McIntyre, who built a career as an attorney before entering politics, once interned for Rose.
McIntyre currently works as a senior adviser and director of government relations for the Poyner Spruill law firm, where he works as a lobbyist for local interests.
The collection is a living history of the events that shaped southeastern North Carolina over the past two decades, McIntyre stated in the press release. The public can view the exhibit from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday–Thursday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays. The collection will be on display until Dec. 10. — Terry Lane
