Larry Kissell - Candidate for U.S. congress

Statement

* Lifelong Democrat
* Came within 330 votes of representing North Carolina's 8th District in 2006
* Social Studies Teacher - East Montgomery High School
* B.A. Economics - Wake Forest University
* Former Textile Worker, 27 years
* Life Member, Deacon of First Baptist Church - Biscoe, NC
* Member of Biscoe Lions Club, two time past President
* Avid Cyclist, over 33,500 miles logged since 1997
* Past Chairman of the FirstHealth Montgomery Board of Trustees
* Married to Tina Eberly Kissell, father of Jenny and Aspen

Community involvement has always been an integral aspect of Larry's life.
Born January 31, 1951, Larry is the son of Virene, now a retired mathematics teacher, and the late Richard Kissell, a decorated WWII veteran that served as local Postmaster for the town of Biscoe for many years.

Larry grew up in Biscoe, attending both Biscoe Elementary School and East Montgomery High School, where he now teaches after a 27 year career in the local textile industry.

In high school, Larry was active in student government serving first as freshman class Vice-President then sophomore class President. As a junior he was elected to Student Council Vice-President, then Student Council President in his senior year.

Larry was a member of the National Honor Society, and played high school sports including football, basketball, tennis and golf. He graduated from East Montgomery in 1969. After high school, Larry attended Wake Forest University graduating in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.

Larry then returned to the area, first working in production management at Union Carbide, then joining Russell Hosiery in Star, North Carolina. Larry stayed with the plant for 27 years first through its acquisition by Fruit of the Loom, then acquisition by the Renfro Corporation which ultimately closed in 2003.

During his 27 years of textile employment Larry worked in sales, service, administration, planning/scheduling, M.I.S., customer service, order processing and production management.

By 2001 the effects of free trade on the domestic textile industry were becoming evident. Textile plants were shutting down operations all over the area and many production jobs were being sent overseas.

Foresight sent Larry in search of a career change. Education had been a huge part of his life, and Larry felt the need to make a difference through teaching. His mother Virene had been a teacher, and his wife Tina also worked in the local schools. In raising his own family, Larry realized that the next generation simply wouldn't have the same opportunities waiting for them upon graduation that his generation enjoyed. Something had to be done.

Once Larry had decided on the next challenge, he was teaching Social Studies in front of a room full of students the very next day after leaving textiles. His former employer ultimately did close laying off nearly 800 workers in the coming years.

As a part of the Civics curriculum, Larry taught his students about the system of government in the United States. The more he taught about our founding principles and Constitution to young people, the more he realized how far off course our country had strayed from the Founders' intentions.

When the Founders developed the concept of the United States Congress it was meant to be a branch of government that would be filled by everyday people. These people would come and go, being replaced by other everyday people. Congress was not meant to be a profession. It was meant to be what it was called: The U.S. House of Representatives.

In October 2005, Larry decided it was time for regular working Americans to take back their House. He thus began the next great journey, from right in the heart of the community so important to him.

Larry's quest to represent the people of North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District has begun.

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