GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1987 SESSION
RATIFIED BILL
RESOLUTION 23
A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF ROBERTS H. JERNIGAN, JR.
Whereas, Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr. was born in Ahoskie on November 24, 1915, the son of Roberts Harrell Jernigan and Jessie Garrett; and
Whereas, Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr. attended Wake Forest College, received his degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and studied law at The University of North Carolina and additional business studies at the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce of The University of Pennsylvania; and
Whereas, Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr. was working in China at the beginning of World War II, serving as manager of the Peking office of the Standard Vacuum Oil Company; and
Whereas, Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr. was imprisoned by the Japanese for 23 months; and
Whereas, upon his return to the United States, Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr. joined the United States Navy and served with honor from 1943 to 1946 attaining the rank of ensign; and
Whereas, during that time Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr. participated in the invasion of Southern France and fought with bravery to protect the liberties so dear to the people of his State and country; and
Whereas, Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr. married Linda Williams of Sanford on May 14, 1949; and
Whereas, Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr. was a farmer and businessman respected for his integrity, gentility, and interest in the people of his community; and
Whereas, Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr. was very active in community affairs, serving as president of the Ahoskie Rotary Club and a faithful member of the Episcopal Church; and
Whereas, Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr. served with distinction for 18 years as a member of the House of Representatives in the General Assembly of North Carolina; and
Whereas, Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr. dedicated his legislative career to serving the best interests of the people of the Roanoke-Chowan area and the State of North Carolina; and
Whereas, Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr. was a man of vision who recognized the need to take innovative measures to stimulate economic growth and development in the State thus assuring the people of his district and all citizens of North Carolina a secure and high quality of life; and
Whereas, Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr. sponsored and supported numerous pieces of legislation to achieve this goal, having been co-sponsor of a bill to fund general purpose airports, including Tri-County Airport, sponsor of legislation to establish the North Carolina Development Financing Authority to govern issuance of tax-exempt bonds for financing industrial plants and of legislation authorizing Roanoke-Chowan Technical College, and four other members of the North Carolina Community College System, providing instrumental support in the establishment of the East Carolina University School of Medicine, and endorsing legislation which benefitted senior citizens, law enforcement officers, teachers, State employees, and other deserving citizens of North Carolina; and
Whereas, Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr. cared very deeply about giving the people he represented an opportunity for a better life and a better future and served the State of North Carolina with generous devotion until his death on March 13, 1986; and
Whereas, the General Assembly wishes to acknowledge the contributions made by Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr. and pay tribute to his dedicated public service;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1. The General Assembly honors the memory of Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr. and expresses the gratitude and appreciation of this State and its citizens for his life and service to North Carolina.
Sec. 2. The General Assembly expresses its deep sorrow to Linda Williams Jernigan for the loss of a beloved husband, to Roberts H. Jernigan, III, Elizabeth Jernigan Andrews, and Clawson Williams Jernigan for the loss of a father, and to Richard Lewis Andrews, Jr., Margaret Marshall Andrews, Elizabeth Judd Andrews and Robert Gray Jernigan for the loss of a grandfather.
Sec. 3. The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Roberts H. Jernigan, Jr.
Sec. 4. This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 19th day of May, 1987.
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Robert B. Jordan III
President of the Senate
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Liston B. Ramsey
Speaker of the House of Representatives