GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1989 SESSION
RATIFIED BILL

RESOLUTION 14
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1138

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING EZEKIAL E. SMITH.

Whereas, Ezekial E. Smith (1852-1933) was born a black in the midst of slavery but early threw off the bonds of oppression, secured his own education, and entered into a long life of service to his fellow man; and
Whereas, as a churchman and religious leader he served more than 50 years as pastor, State denominational leader, and inspired preacher, especially as pastor of First Baptist Church in Fayetteville, E.E. Smith was instrumental in, as he once said, "increasing the knowledge and love of the Lord" in thousands of the faithful in several generations of North Carolinians; and
Whereas, E.E. Smith served for 50 years as principal and president of the State Normal School in Fayetteville, setting a record of service unequaled in education in North Carolina, tirelessly working for the education of generations of North Carolina schoolteachers, pressing the General Assembly for appropriations, dealing with Governors and budget officers, at times spending his own resources for land and buildings, holding forth the vision of an educated people as the best promise of better tomorrows; and
Whereas, through his zeal for better education, Dr. E.E. Smith set an example and gave heart to others, such as Dr. Alexander Graham, Charles Brantley Aycock, and Dr. J.W. Seabrook, who took up the cause of the children of North Carolina, both black and white; and
Whereas, E.E. Smith was called at times to State and national service, demonstrating the breadth of his intellect, wisdom, character, and administrative skill as U.S. minister to Liberia and as lieutenant colonel of the Third North Carolina Volunteer Regiment during the Spanish-American War; and
Whereas, E.E. Smith stood boldly for equality and hope for the black people of North Carolina in a period when discrimination and bigotry were commonplace, insisting that black men be allowed to form their own military units, that black schoolteachers receive equal pay, that black voters should be allowed the full benefits of the ballot box; and
Whereas, notwithstanding his courage and candor as a spokesman for his people, he also had the respect, the support, and lifelong friendship of North Carolinians of all groups and all creeds; and
Whereas, the monument to Dr. E.E. Smith on the campus of Fayetteville State University truthfully lists his contributions as:  "Educator, Diplomat, Soldier, Clergyman, and Apostle of Interracial Goodwill"; and
Whereas, Dr. E.E. Smith lived in the spirit and the promise of the Constitution and Bill of Rights of the United States of America;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

Section 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory and commends the life and service of Dr. E.E. Smith of Fayetteville as a distinguished and beloved son of North Carolina.
The General Assembly urges that the people of North Carolina take to heart the qualities of mind, character, and spirit that made Dr. E.E. Smith a hero of his times.
The General Assembly offers the heritage of the life of Dr. E.E. Smith as a bicentennial remembrance in the best tradition of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Sec. 2.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 17th day of April, 1989.

	 
	James C. Gardner
	President of the Senate

	 
	J. L. Mavretic
	Speaker of the House of Representatives