GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2009

RATIFIED BILL

RESOLUTION 2009-7

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 53

A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of john walter brown, former member of the north carolina house of representatives.

Whereas, John Walter Brown was born on September 12, 1918, in Wilkes County to James Walter and Nora Blackburn Brown; and

Whereas, John Walter Brown graduated from Traphill High School in Wilkes County and furthered his education by taking classes at Appalachian State University; and

Whereas, John Walter Brown became a farmer, raising cattle and poultry and producing tobacco in Wilkes County; and

Whereas, John Walter Brown also worked for 38 years at Chatham Manufacturing; and

Whereas, John Walter Brown was a member of the North Carolina Cattlemen's Association, Woodmen of the World, and the North Carolina Farm Bureau; and

Whereas, John Walter Brown served with honor and distinction as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for 13 terms between 1971 and ending in 2000; and

Whereas, during his tenure in the General Assembly, John Walter Brown served six years as Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and made significant contributions as a member of several other committees, including Finance, State Government, Transportation, and Wildlife Resources; and

Whereas, John Walter Brown was admired and respected by his peers in the legislature, which enabled him to successfully advance legislation that aided agribusiness in the State; and

Whereas, among his many accomplishments, John Walter Brown was successful in helping to establish the School of Veterinary Science at North Carolina State University, securing funding for a cattle arena in Iredell County and special aircraft to fight forest fires, and getting additional roads built in the western portion of the State; and

Whereas, John Walter Brown helped to enact legislation that changed inheritance laws, reduced taxes, and included provisions for certain farms and lands under the present use tax laws; and

Whereas, John Walter Brown served as a member and delegate of the Republican National Committee, as a member of the North Carolina Republican Committee, and as an inductee in the North Carolina Republican Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, John Walter Brown received numerous awards and honors for his outstanding service, including an honorary degree from North Carolina State University; and

Whereas, John Walter Brown was named Man of the Year in North Carolina Agriculture, Man of the Year in North Carolina Poultry, and received a lifetime achievement award as Friend of Agriculture and Agriculture Business; and

Whereas, John Walter Brown proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1944 to 1946, serving in the Engineer Corps during World War II; and

Whereas, John Walter Brown was a member of Charity United Methodist Church where he served as Chair of the Official Board, Trustee, Church School Superintendent, Teacher of the Young Adult Class, and as a Church Lay Speaker; and

Whereas, John Walter Brown died on November 20, 2008, at the age of 90; and

Whereas, John Walter Brown is survived by his wife, Ruth Hanks Brown; two daughters, Betty Brown Satterlee and Johnsie C. Brown; a sister, Victoria Hollar; two grandchildren; and three great grandchildren; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of John Walter Brown and expresses the deep gratitude and appreciation of this State for his life and service.

SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of John Walter Brown for the loss of a beloved family member.

SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of John Walter Brown.

SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 6^th day of April, 2009.

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                                                                         Walter H. Dalton

                                                                         President of the Senate

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                                                                         Joe Hackney

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives