GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 522

–––––––––––––––––––- 
Sponsors: Representatives Michaux; H. Hunter, Luebke, and G. Miller.

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

–––––––––––––––––––- 

March 24, 1993

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF WILLIE C. LOVETT.
Whereas, Willie C. Lovett was a native of Statesboro, Georgia; and
Whereas, Willie C. Lovett received a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee State University and served as an officer in the United States Air Force from 1962 until 1965; and
Whereas, Willie C. Lovett was a resident of Durham and was a longtime employee of the International Business Machines Corporation; and
Whereas, Willie C. Lovett was married to the former Evelyn Shatteen and was the father of two children; and
Whereas, Willie C. Lovett was a devoted and lifelong servant of the Durham community, serving on numerous committees and organizations; and
Whereas, in 1977, Willie C. Lovett was elected chair of the Durham County Democratic Party, and for a number of years, served as a member of the North Carolina Democratic Executive Committee; and
Whereas, Willie C. Lovett was an active member of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, serving as cochair of the Committee in 1979, and as chair of the Committee in 1980; and
Whereas, Willie C. Lovett conscientiously embraced the creed of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People which holds that one should believe in democracy in the broadest sense and work toward community advancement without selfish individual or group motives; and
Whereas, Willie C. Lovett believed strongly in equity, justice, and fairness for African-Americans and other people of color, and addressed the issues of equitable representation on boards and commissions; and
Whereas, during Willie C. Lovett's tenure as chair of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People and due to his influence, a significant number of African-Americans were elected to the City Council, the County Board of Commissioners, and the Durham City Board of Education; and
Whereas, Willie C. Lovett fought for fairness in budgetary appropriations and for changes in the process of double taxation, and espoused the position that public dollars should be expended in ways that reflect where the greatest needs are; and
Whereas, Willie C. Lovett received numerous awards and honors including Citizen of the Year from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in 1991, Keeper of the Dream Award from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Steering Committee in 1990, and the Appreciation of Service Award from the Durham Chapter of Continental Societies, Inc., in 1989; and
Whereas, prior to his death, Willie C. Lovett was elected as a Democratic candidate in the 1992 May Primary to represent Durham County in the State House of Representatives; and
Whereas, the untimely death of Willie C. Lovett came on August 6, 1992; and
Whereas, Willie C. Lovett will be remembered as a man devoted to his family, his community, his profession, and to public service; and
Whereas, Willie C. Lovett is survived by his wife, Evelyn Lovett, and two children, Rodney and Tracy;
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 Willie C. Lovett and expresses its appreciation for the service he rendered to his community, State, and nation.
Sec. 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Willie C. Lovett.
Sec. 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Willie C. Lovett.
Sec. 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.