Remembering Wayne Curry

Five Years After His Passing, Wayne Curry’s Lasting Legacy Continues

First Presented By The Prince George’s County Council

On July 2, 2014, The Honorable Wayne K. Curry, the first African-American elected to serve as County Executive for Prince George’s County, succumbed to his battle with lung cancer.  The impact of Wayne Curry’s contributions to improving the Quality of Life for Prince Georgians will be felt for generations to come.  On this solemn anniversary, the Prince George’s County Council honors Wayne Curry’s vision, and his exceeding and abundant legacy of service to our county, its residents and communities.  In his own words, Mr. Curry expressed an unmovable love and commitment to Prince George’s County, providing this advice to residents contemplating public office.

“When you make the decision to run for public office, you’re really deciding that you’re going to be a sacrifice, a human sacrifice, and your ideals are sacrificial.  When you represent people with the needs that we have, and when you carry the mantle of history that we do, and you represent the novelty that we reflect, then the most important thing for you to recognize is that very little of it is about you; almost none of it is about you.  Now, we’re people and we’ve all got egos.  God knows you need that to be able to get up every day and take the tug of war that is elected office and public office and politics; it’s a contentious business.  But the principle thing is to recognize that you’re not there for you, you’re there for everybody else, and so my advice would be never to forget that.  Get that part right.”  -Former Prince George's County Executive Wayne K. Curry