Joe Sam Queen

Joe Sam Queen
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 119th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 9th, 2013
Preceded by	R. Phillip Haire
Member of the North Carolina Senate from the 47th district
In office January 24, 2007 – January 26, 2011
Preceded by	Keith W. Presnell
Succeeded by	Ralph E. Hise, Jr.
In office January 29, 2003 – January 26, 2005
Preceded by	None (district created)
Succeeded by	Keith W. Presnell
Personal details
Born	(1950-06-18) June 18, 1950 Waynesville, North Carolina
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Dr. Kate Queen MD
Residence	Waynesville, North Carolina
Alma mater	North Carolina State University (BS) (MS)
Profession	Architect
Website	http://ncleg.net/gascripts/members/viewMember.pl?sChamber=H&nUserID=669

Joe Sam Queen (born June 18, 1950) represents the 119th district in the North Carolina House of Representatives. He previously represented the state's 47th Senate district, including constituents in Avery, Haywood, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey counties. He served from 2007-2011 after having served one previous term (2003-2004 session) in the state Senate before being defeated in 2004 by former Yancey County commissioner Keith Presnell. Queen then defeated Presnell in 2006 and again in 2008. He was elected to the North Carolina House, defeating Mike Clampitt in 2012, then again in 2014. He began his second term in the North Carolina House of Representatives (5th term in the General Assembly) on January 14, 2015. He represents the constituents of Jackson, Swain and Haywood counties.

An architect and a sixth generation resident of Haywood County, Queen is also heavily involved in other civic and cultural activities, including producing the summer street dances on Main Street in Waynesville and serving as director of the Smoky Mountain Folk Festival for more than 30 years. He has also served as a boy scout master, a Sunday school teacher, a youth soccer coach and on various boards and committees. He attends many arts and educational events in his district, including plays and concerts. He is married to Dr. Kate Queen and has two children, both of whom are graduates of North Carolina State University. He has an architectural practice in Waynesville.

Queen is currently serving as the vice-chairman of the Aging Committee and is a voting member of committees on Agriculture, Transportation, Appropriations, Appropriations General Government, Judiciary II and Regulatory Reform. He is a vocal leader in the call to expand Medicaid in North Carolina and issues such as raising teacher pay. He is adamantly against fracking in North Carolina and has made strong public remarks against it.