ROANOKE RAPIDS — N.C. Rep. Angela Bryant, D-Nash, was recognized this weekend by community members and other elected officials during a celebration that doubled as a fundraiser for the 2010 election.

About 150 people from Nash and Halifax counties — both represented in the N.C. General Assembly by Bryant — gathered Friday at the Mystique Multi Venue Complex in Roanoke Rapids. The program featured music, a dancer from the Haliwa-Saponi tribe and a meal intertwined with tributes to Bryant throughout the evening. She has been a primary sponsor on about 50 bills and a co-sponsor on more than 100 bills since the 2009 session began on Jan. 28.

District Attorney Robert Evans, who grew up with Bryant, lauded her work as a pioneer and leader, noting how she was one of the first black students to integrate Rocky Mount schools. He said that Bryant, an attorney, has a love and concern for humanity.

“As I look at you today and see your character, your commitment, your efforts on behalf of the citizens of this state, this district and this country, I am reminded of the words of the poet: ‘Always I hope to grow brighter, funnier. I hope to learn to be even more well-rounded, but right now I cannot be any better than I am,’” Evans said, quoting Maya Angelou. “Right now, and in the past, I can’t imagine you better than you have been and you are today.”

Bryant, now in her second term, was named a “Rising Star” by the Conservation Council of N.C. to acknowledge her as an emerging leader in the General Assembly. She is chairwoman of the Energy and Energy Efficiency Committee and vice chairwoman of the University Board of Governors Nominating Committee. Bryant also is a member of the following committees: Appropriations, Education, Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform, Economic Recovery, Judiciary I, Juvenile Justice, Public Utilities and Ways and Means-Broadband Connectivity.

N.C. Rep. Lucy Allen, D-Franklin, said Bryant has people’s respect, trust and attention. She encouraged the audience to help keep Bryant in the legislature because of how hard she works to get things done.

“It’s like being in a whirlwind,” Allen said. “She’s not only intelligent, she’s driven.”

Gwen Wilkins, chairwoman of the 1st Congressional District Democratic Party, said 2010 is not far away and urged people to support Bryant since “long after the election is over, there are still debts to pay.”

“It is my own observation that the opposition is going to wage a fierce battle to win coveted seats,” Wilkins said. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are going to have to fight Pharaoh’s army, and fight we will ... support Angela Bryant so she can develop a war chest ... so she can stay the course.”

Health educator Pat Peele said she has supported Bryant since meeting her during the first campaign to put her in the 7th District N.C. House seat. Peele said Bryant seemed “so high energy and youthful” that it made her wonder what someone of Bryant’s small stature would accomplish in the legislature.

“Then I heard from reliable sources that she was running around in the legislature with a bookbag on her back, and she was such a go-getter, she was so assertive ... everyone was really learning to respect her because she was so passionate,” Peele said. “The next thing I knew, she started putting in bills, and I just kept following her. (President) Barack Obama has nothing on her when it comes to e-mails ... every time I turn around, she’s got something in my e-mail. She is very busy. She’s linked in to her community.”

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