GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2005

RATIFIED BILL

RESOLUTION 2005-35

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1609

A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of William "Bill" Seth Hiatt, Former Commissioner of the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles and Former member of the general assembly.

Whereas, William "Bill" Seth Hiatt was born in Surry County on February 15, 1932, to David Lafayette and Ethel Puckett Hiatt; and

Whereas, Bill Hiatt graduated from Flat Rock High School in Surry County in 1949; and

Whereas, Bill Hiatt worked his way through Brigham Young University beginning when he was only 16 and graduated in 1953 with a BS Degree in Physical Education; and

Whereas, Bill Hiatt served as a Private First Class in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 where he received a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal; and

Whereas, Bill Hiatt was released from active duty in 1955 and transferred to the Army Reserve to complete eight years of service under the Universal Military Training and Service Act; and

Whereas, in 1955, Bill Hiatt began working for the Surry County Schools as a teacher and coach of several sports; and

Whereas, Bill Hiatt founded Hiatt & Mason Enterprises, a construction company specializing in large-scale commercial projects, including bridges and sewage treatment plants; and

Whereas, Bill Hiatt served as Commissioner for the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Chair of the National DMV Committee from 1985 through 1990; and

Whereas, as a result of his outstanding service as Commissioner of DMV, Bill Hiatt received the distinguished award of "ROAD GANG MEMBER" by the North Carolina Department of Transportation; and

Whereas, Bill Hiatt served with honor and distinction in the North Carolina House of Representatives for six terms during the 1973, 1981, 1995, 1997, 1999, and 2001 Sessions of the General Assembly; and

Whereas, during the 12 years he served in the House of Representatives, Bill Hiatt made contributions as a member of numerous committees and commissions, including Appropriations, Business and Labor, Commerce, Education, Election Laws and Campaign Finance Reform, Legislative Redistricting, Local Government, Public Employees, Military, Veterans and Indian Affairs, Public Health, Transportation, Travel and Tourism, and Wildlife; and

Whereas, Bill Hiatt was a devoted advocate for education who strived to improve the quality of education in North Carolina and ardently supported increasing the salaries of teachers and State employees; and

Whereas, Bill Hiatt is probably best known for introducing a bill on the Handicapped Ramp Law; and

Whereas, Bill Hiatt's other political endeavors included running in the Republican primary for the Office of Lieutenant Governor in 1976 and 1984; and

Whereas, during his many years of service to the State of North Carolina as a teacher, coach, DMV Commissioner, and legislator, Bill Hiatt received numerous awards and certificates of appreciation but particularly noteworthy was the "Order of the Long Leaf Pine" presented to him by Governor James B. Martin; and

Whereas, Bill Hiatt was active in his community and served as an elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, of which he was a lifelong member; and

Whereas, Bill Hiatt died on September 7, 2004, at the age of 72; and

Whereas, Bill Hiatt is survived by his wife, Rita; daughters, Shelia, Gina, Melody, Chrystal, and Ashley; and 11 grandchildren; Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the life and memory of William "Bill" Seth Hiatt and expresses the appreciation of the citizens of this State for the service he rendered.

SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of William "Bill" Seth Hiatt 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 William "Bill" Seth Hiatt.

SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 2^nd day of June, 2005.

                                                                        _____________________________________

                                                                         Beverly E. Perdue

                                                                         President of the Senate

                                                                        _____________________________________

                                                                         James B. Black

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives