GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2005

RATIFIED BILL

RESOLUTION 2006-18

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 2057

A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of John Clarence "j.c." scarborough, sr., business owner, humanitarian, and civic leader.

Whereas, on June 6, 1906, John Clarence "J.C." Scarborough, Sr., completed the requirements to become a licensed funeral director and embalmer, making him the first African-American to be licensed in these professions in the State of North Carolina; and

Whereas, J.C. Scarborough, Sr., received his mortuary training at the Renouard School of Mortuary Science in New York, New York from 1905 to 1906, and thus was one of the first African-Americans in the country to graduate from a mortuary school; and

Whereas, after receiving his license, J.C. Scarborough, Sr., established a funeral home in the City of Durham, which has continued to thrive under the direction of his family, including his grandson, John C. Scarborough, III; and

Whereas, J.C. Scarborough, Sr., served his profession proudly and was one of the founders of the Funeral Directors and Morticians Association of North Carolina (formerly the Colored Undertakers and Embalmers Association); and

Whereas, J.C. Scarborough, Sr., also distinguished himself by establishing the Daisey E. Scarborough Nursery School in 1938, which was the first licensed day care in North Carolina; and

Whereas, J.C. Scarborough, Sr., showed an outstanding devotion to public service and ran for the Durham City Council in 1947, obtaining 2,464 votes, the highest number of votes ever cast for an African-American seeking office in the City of Durham; and

Whereas, J.C. Scarborough, Sr., worked unselfishly for the betterment of his community and earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues and fellow citizens; and

Whereas, it is fitting that the General Assembly recognize J.C. Scarborough, Sr., on the 100^th anniversary of his achievement in becoming the first African-American to be licensed as a funeral director and embalmer by the State of North Carolina; Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the life and memory of John Clarence "J.C." Scarborough, Sr., for his accomplishments and his service to the Durham community.

SECTION 2.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of John Clarence "J.C." Scarborough, Sr.

SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 6^th day of July, 2006.

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                                                                         Beverly E. Perdue

                                                                         President of the Senate

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                                                                         James B. Black

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives