Congressman Butterfield’s roots in Wilson, N.C. taught him the values of hard work and responsibility. His father, Dr. G. K. Butterfield Sr., was a respected dentist and elected official. Dr. Butterfield graduated from Meharry Dental College and practiced dentistry for 50 years in the poor, segregated community of East Wilson. Many of his patients had never received dental services because they were unable to afford care. However, Dr. Butterfield did not turn anyone away because they were unable to pay. To him, access to care was a right for everyone, not a privilege for the few.
Congressman Butterfield’s mother, Addie, was passionate about education. She taught elementary school for 48 years in some of the poorest communities in North Carolina. Mrs. Butterfield was keenly focused on making sure her students learned to read--a right that was denied to many Blacks in the South.
As a veteran of the U.S. Army, Congressman Butterfield believes we need to do more for our veterans and servicemembers. One of the most important aspects of his job in Congress is to proudly represent and support servicemembers and their families of the First District, which is home to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro.
A long-time advocate of our men and women in uniform, Congressman Butterfield believes that educational benefits are important steps towards honoring those who serve and helping them prepare for civilian life. He is working to resolve an inequity in existing law that allots fewer education funds to veterans who attend public institutions of higher learning.
Congressman Butterfield demands that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs quickly make meaningful reforms to remedy the problems within the VA healthcare system so our veterans can start receiving the high quality care they deserve. As a country, we must support those who protect our freedom and provide them with quality healthcare.
Congressman Butterfield is committed to honoring the brave men and women who served our country in the Merchant Marines during World War II and have gone unrecognized for their service. Through no fault of their own, these selfless individuals have been unable to prove their service in the Merchant Marines because the documents needed to prove service either did not survive over time or never existed at all. Congressman Butterfield believes now is the time to stand-up for these great Americans and give them the recognition they rightly deserve.