GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 2131

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Sponsors: Representatives Church, Flaherty, R. Hunter, Lee; and Justus.

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Referred to:  Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.

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June 20, 1994

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF RAY CHARLES FLETCHER, FORMER MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Whereas, Ray Charles Fletcher was born in Forest City in Rutherford County, on May 4, 1931, to Troy Fletcher, Sr. and Geneva Beddingfield Fletcher; and
Whereas, Ray Charles Fletcher graduated from Drexel High School in Burke County and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and
Whereas, Ray Charles Fletcher served his country as a member of the United States Navy from 1951 until 1954; and
Whereas, Ray Charles Fletcher became an automobile dealer and was Secretary-Treasurer of Fletcher Pontiac, Inc.; and
Whereas, Ray Charles Fletcher worked unselfishly for the betterment of his community as a member of many civic and community organizations; and
Whereas, Ray Charles Fletcher served as President of the Rotary Club, as a member of the Burke County Chamber of Commerce, as President of the Valdese Merchants Association, as President of the Lovelady United Fund, as President of the Valdese Jaycees, and as Chair of the Valdese Parks and Recreation; and
Whereas, Ray Charles Fletcher was honored as "Rotarian of the Year”in 1965 and as "Young Man of the Year”by the Valdese Jaycees in 1961; and
Whereas, Ray Charles Fletcher was active in politics; he served as the Mayor of the Town of Valdese, as Chair of the Burke County Democratic Party, and as President and Chair of the Burke County Young Democrats Club; and
Whereas, Ray Charles Fletcher served with honor and distinction for five terms as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1983 until 1992; and
Whereas, as a member of the General Assembly, Ray Charles Fletcher served on numerous committees in various leadership roles, including Finance, Public Employees, Ethics, and Pensions and Retirement; and
Whereas, Ray Charles Fletcher served as Chair of the Commerce Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and as Chair of the Environment Subcommittee on Water, Air, and Soil; and
Whereas, Ray Charles Fletcher was honored as "Consumer Advocate of the Year", as "Legal Services Advocate of the Year", and as "Keeper of Mountain Tops”for his consumer and environmental work; and
Whereas, Ray Charles Fletcher was an active member of the Waldensian Presbyterian Church, serving as former deacon; and
Whereas, Ray Charles Fletcher married Mary Beth Goodman on November 29, 1980; and
Whereas, Burke County and the State of North Carolina suffered a great loss with the untimely death of Ray Charles Fletcher on September 27, 1992; and
Whereas, Ray Charles Fletcher is survived by his wife, Mary Beth Fletcher, and children, Raye Lynn, Randy, and Ruth;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly honors the life and memory of Ray Charles Fletcher and expresses its appreciation for the service he rendered to his community, State, and nation.
Sec. 2.  The General Assembly expresses its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Ray Charles Fletcher for the loss of a beloved family man, friend, and public servant.
Sec. 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Ray Charles Fletcher.
Sec. 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.