“I am honored to have been selected for such an important position by the committee. In conjunction with my work in the Senate, I will continue to do all I can in support of our nation’s armed forces.” – U.S. Senator Richard Burr
The Supreme Executive Committee has appointed North Carolina Senator and 2008 Kappa Sigma Man of the Year Richard M. Burr as chairman of Kappa Sigma’s Military Heroes Campaign. The Fraternity successfully raised $117,000 for the 2007-2009 biennium for the campaign to have a Fisher House sponsored by donations from Chapters and Brothers of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. The Fraternity has established new goals to raise an additional $100,000 for the 2009-2011 biennium. The Fisher House Foundation, Inc. is the beneficiary of these gifts which provides soldiers injured in combat with housing while they are in rehabilitation and recovery.
Senator Burr will lead the Fraternity’s efforts and build upon the successes of the past two years. He said, “I am honored to have been selected for such an important position by the committee. In conjunction with my work in the Senate, I will continue to do all I can in support of our nation’s armed forces.” The Kappa Sigma Fraternity challenges Chapters and alumni to contribute to this worthy cause. Brothers A.J. Tong and Dean Schwartz were on hand to present the ceremonial check to representatives of the Fisher House Foundation, Inc. at the 67th Biennial Grand Conclave in San Antonio. Both Brothers were injured in Iraq while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom. Brother Tong stayed in a Fisher House facility in San Antonio while being treated and rehabilitated at the Intrepid Center. He said, “They’re there through your whole treatment process, if it takes a week, or if it takes two years you know. You have a place to stay and they’re there to welcome your family and help you in any way they can. Not just put a roof over your head.”
Senator Burr is a 1975 initiate of the Delta-Omega Chapter at Wake Forest University. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1994 and to the United States Senate in 2004 and has since established himself as a passionate legislator on health care issues. He also focuses on working to restore accountability to the federal government. As a Senator, Brother Burr continues to focus on job growth across North Carolina by working to ensure a robust economic environment and strong public schools. He is dedicated to finding common sense resolutions to increase access to affordable, quality health care for all North Carolina families. He is a vocal advocate for our men and women in the military and their families and for a growing population of veterans across North Carolina.
In the Senate, Brother Burr serves as ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee where he works to improve the quality of health care and service that veterans receive and he will offer exceptional and experienced leadership as Chairman of the Kappa Sigma Military Heroes Campaign. Brother Burr also sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee; the Energy and Natural Resources Committee; and the Indian Affairs Committee.
Brother Burr and his family live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Brother Burr and his wife, Brooke, have two sons.
Kappa Sigma Executive Director Mitchell B Wilson spoke of Kappa Sigma’s participation in the campaign to date. “The chapters of Kappa Sigma Fraternity have played a significant role in the success of the Fisher House Foundation in the past two years, and their efforts have been publicly recognized and appreciated by members of the Fisher family and representatives of the Foundation. The efforts of our young men and the dollars raised all go directly for the construction of the Fisher Houses and those contributions are a fitting tribute to these patriots who have stood in harms way to protect our freedom. The Supreme Executive Committee calls on alumni, undergraduate chapters and Brothers to continue to support this worthy cause.”
