GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1991 SESSION
RATIFIED BILL

RESOLUTION 4
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 202

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING HUGH CALE, A FORMER MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND COMMENDING ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION ON THE ONE HUNDREDTH YEAR OF THE UNIVERSITY'S FOUNDING.

Whereas, Hugh Cale was a black man born in 1835, in Perquimans County to John and Betsy Cale; and
Whereas, as a young man, Hugh Cale moved to Elizabeth City where he became a very influential and well-respected resident; and
Whereas, Hugh Cale was active in the Mt. Lebanon Church and the local Masons; and
Whereas, Hugh Cale, a leader in civic affairs, was elected justice of the peace, served two terms on the board of county commissioners, was a member of the county board of education, and was treasurer of Elizabeth City; and
Whereas, Hugh Cale helped petition to get the town's first fire engine, was a trustee for the first local black cemetery, and was president of the first fair held by blacks in Pasquotank County; and
Whereas, Hugh Cale's aspirations to achieve a higher office became a reality when he was elected to the House of Representatives of the General Assembly in 1876 and went on to serve in the 1879, 1880, 1885, and 1891 Sessions of the General Assembly; and
Whereas, Hugh Cale worked hard to improve the life and educational opportunities for blacks in northeastern North Carolina; and
Whereas, on March 3, 1891, the General Assembly of North Carolina ratified House Bill 383, sponsored by Representative Hugh Cale that read as follows:
"Section 1.  That it shall be the duty of the state board of education to establish a normal school at Elizabeth City, in the county of Pasquotank, for the teaching and training of teachers of the colored race to teach in the common schools of the state.
Sec. 2.  That the sum of five hundred dollars from the Fayetteville normal school fund and the further sums of one hundred dollars each from the Salisbury, Franklinton, Goldsboro and Plymouth normal school funds are hereby appropriated for the payment of instructors in said normal school at Elizabeth City.
Sec. 3.  That all laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this act are hereby repealed.
Sec. 4.  This act shall go into effect from and after the first day of January, eighteen hundred and ninety-two."; and
Whereas, Hugh Cale died in 1910, knowing that his life had made a significant impact on those who knew him; and
Whereas, Hugh Cale would be proud that Elizabeth City State Normal School became Elizabeth City State University, a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina, dedicated to the pursuit of academic excellence; and
Whereas, Elizabeth City State University has expanded from a teacher preparatory institution to a university that offers bachelors degrees in a wide variety of courses; and
Whereas, on the one hundredth year of the University's founding, it is fitting that the General Assembly honors Hugh Cale and recognizes the progress that Elizabeth City State University has made;

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 Hugh Cale.
Sec. 2.  The General Assembly commends Elizabeth City State University for its contributions to the advancement of education.  The General Assembly further extends its congratulations on the centennial celebration of Elizabeth City State University.
Sec. 3.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate may appoint a delegation of the General Assembly to meet in Elizabeth City on Friday, March 1, 1991, to hold a mock session of the General Assembly for the purpose of commemorating the centennial of Elizabeth City State University.
Sec. 4.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to Chancellor Jimmy R. Jenkins of Elizabeth City State University.
Sec. 5.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 4th day of March, 1991.

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	James C. Gardner
	President of the Senate

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	Daniel Blue, Jr.
	Speaker of the House of Representatives