GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1390

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Sponsors: Representatives Locks, DeVane, Hasty; and H. Hunter.

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Referred to:  Rules.

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April 26, 1989

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF JULIAN THOMAS PIERCE.
Whereas, Julian Thomas Pierce was born on January 2, 1946, one of 11 children of a Lumbee Indian farming family, in Hoke County; and
Whereas, Julian Thomas Pierce became determined at a young age to devote a life of service to the poor he saw all around him in Hoke and Robeson counties; and
Whereas, Julian Thomas Pierce graduated in 1966 from Pembroke State University with a B.S. in chemistry; and
Whereas, Julian Thomas Pierce received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in 1973 in recognition of his eight years of service as a chemist; and
Whereas, Julian Thomas Pierce left his job as a chemist to pursue a career in law, dedicated to an improvement in living conditions and equality of opportunity for his people; and
Whereas, Julian Thomas Pierce graduated Cum Laude in 1976 from North Carolina Central University's School of Law and received his master's in tax law from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1978; and
Whereas, Julian Thomas Pierce worked in the Office of the General Counsel of the Securities and Exchange Commission for two years until he was presented with the opportunity to seek justice and equality for the disadvantaged in southeastern North Carolina as Executive Director of Lumbee River Legal Services in 1978; and
Whereas, Julian Thomas Pierce was an instrumental force for justice for almost a decade in a long-suffering region of North Carolina; and
Whereas, Julian Thomas Pierce was directly involved in a successful effort to ensure that Native Americans and blacks were equitably represented on local school boards; and
Whereas, Julian Thomas Pierce, as Chairman of the Pembroke Medical Clinic, formed a consortium of local medical clinics in Robeson County to enhance accessibility to primary health care in an area long lacking essential medical services; and
Whereas, Julian Thomas Pierce served as Chairman of the Board of the historical drama "Strike at the Wind”and was able to raise over twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) to save the production, which depicts the heritage of Lumbee Indians in North Carolina; and
Whereas, in recognition of the magnitude of the problems affecting nonreservation Indians in the areas of education, health, economic development opportunities, and access to justice, Julian Thomas Pierce devoted enormous energy and commitment to seeking federal recognition of the Lumbee, Coharie, Haliwa, and Waccama-Siouan tribes; and
Whereas, the life of Julian Thomas Pierce is best exemplified by his favorite passage of scripture from Micah, "And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God";
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly wishes to honor the life and memory of Julian Thomas Pierce and to express its appreciation and support for his tireless work on behalf of nonreservation, nonfederally recognized Indians.
Sec. 2.  The General Assembly wishes to express its tribute and appreciation for the sincere dedication, compassion, and overwhelming passion for justice of this great native son and further expresses its hope that Julian Thomas Pierce's lasting spirit will serve to bring together all peoples in the county and State that he loved so much.
Sec. 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Julian Thomas Pierce.
Sec. 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.