Representative Garland E. Pierce, House District 48 (Scotland, Hoke, Richmond, and Robeson counties), is the parade marshal for the 28th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Parade to be held in Elizabethtown on Jan. 18 at 11 a.m.
Martin Luther King Day celebrates the life and accomplishment of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK promoted Civil Rights through nonviolent civil disobedience. He is perhaps best known for his “I have a dream…” speech in 1963. He was assassinated in 1968. Martin Luther King, Jr. day became a federally recognized holiday in 1983. The first year this holiday was observed was 1986, and not by all states. In 2000 it became a nationally observed holiday in all states. Martin Luther King Jr. Day takes place on the third Monday of January each year.
Representative Pierce is the pastor of Bright Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Laurinburg, North Carolina and has served in the ministry for 35 years. Retired from the United Parcel Service, Representative Pierce brings experience also from service in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fayetteville and honorable service in the United States Army.
His community involvement includes former volunteer work with Hospice of Scotland County and the Scotland County HIV/AIDS Coalition. Our speaker served as former Third Vice President of the NC NAACP and is a former committee member for No Child Left Behind—Closing the Achievement Gap.
Representative Pierce is affiliated with Scotland County Ministerial Alliance, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., VFW Post #181 of Scotland County, Savannah Lodge #407, Carpenters Consistory #164 GIG 33rd, Fayetteville State University Alumni Association, Shaw University Alumni Association, Scotland County NAACP, Laurinburg Rotary Club member, Executive Board member of the Cape Fear Council Boy Scouts of America, and Chair of the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus.
A distinguished gentleman, Representative Pierce is a recipient of the NC Governor’s Award for Outstanding Community Service; the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Community Service, the 2000 NC State NAACP Minister of the Year, the Scotland County NAACP Humanitarian Award, the United Parcel Service Award for Outstanding Community Service, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Minister of the Year Award, the 2005 Eagle Award—Hawkeye Indian Cultural Center, the 2005 Martin Luther King, Jr. Presidential Award—GBSC of North Carolina, Inc., the 2007 Fayetteville State University Chancellor’s Medallion Award, the 2009 NAACP North Carolina Branch President of the Year, the 2010 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Community Service Award, the 2010 Palmer Prevention, Inc., Environmental Award, the 2010 NC Justice Center, Defender of Justice Award, the 2010 AARP North Carolina Outstanding Legislator Award, the 2010 Democracy North Carolina Sunshine Award, the 2012 Assisting Women in Moving into Careers and Out of Poverty Award, the 2012 Scotland County Ministerial Alliance Black History Appreciation Certificate, the 2013 General Baptist State Convention Award for Public Service, the 2013 National Black Caucus of State Legislators State Caucus Chair Award, the 2014 in Recognition for Influencing Change in our Community, the 2014 Milton F. Fitch Scholarship Award, the 2014 ANCA Convention Public Program Panel Award, the Hoke County Decade of Service Award, the 2014 Lumbee Tribe Community Service Award, and the 2014 Robeson Council on the Affairs of Black People Community Service Award and the 2013-2014 Legislative Black Caucus years of dedication award and the 13th Annual M. L. K. Holiday Celebration from Oak Grove Baptist Church Award. Representative Pierce has also received the 2015 “A friend of the working People” award from NC State AFL-CIO.
He is married to Barbara McRae Pierce, retired from the NC Department of Public Safety State Government. Representative and Mrs. Pierce are the proud parents of two children, James and Nicole, who are very successful in their careers and two grandchildren, Danny and Ari.