NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1961 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 1143

SENATE BILL 148

 

 

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH ANNUAL AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS BY CITIZENS OF NORTH CAROLINA.

 

WHEREAS, the creative genius of man has been the motivating force of civilization through the ages; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina desires to encourage and recognize the creative achievements of its citizens in order that this State may make increasingly significant and enduring contributions to human progress; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate that the State of North Carolina make annual awards for notable accomplishments by its citizens in the fields of scholarship, research, the fine arts and public leadership: Now, therefore,

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

 

Section 1.  That the State of North Carolina hereby establishes annual awards, not to exceed six in number, each bearing the name of the recipient, with an appropriate inscription reciting the reason for the award, which form and design shall be approved by the Governor and Council of State.

Sec. 2.  That these recognitions shall be known as the North Carolina Awards for Literature, Science, the Fine Arts and Public Service, and shall be conferred upon citizens of North Carolina for the most notable attainments in these respective fields during the current year, terminating four months before the date of award, though such distinctions can be exceptionally conferred, with the approval of the Governor and the Council of State, for eminence achieved during years prior to the award.

Sec. 3.  That one award annually be made to a native born North Carolinian, living outside of North Carolina, for pre-eminent accomplishment in one of the above fields of creative endeavor.

Sec. 4.  That a Commission of five persons, known as the North Carolina Awards Commission, shall be named by the Governor and shall serve without compensation; its duty shall be to formulate and administer the program governing the North Carolina Awards and to exercise such powers, as are conferred by this Act, with the approval of the Governor and Council of State.

Sec. 5.  That the recipients of the awards shall be chosen by a committee named by North Carolina Awards Commission, for each category of achievement, but no award shall be made in any field unless the Committee of Awards deems the recognized accomplishment to be outstanding in merit, value, and distinction.

Sec. 6.  The expense of administering this Act shall be paid out of the Contingency and Emergency Fund subject to the approval of the Governor and Council of State.

Sec. 7.  All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed.

Sec. 8.  This Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 22nd day of June, 1961.