GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1068

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Sponsors: Representatives Hayes; Barbee and Tallent.

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

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May 29, 1995

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE MEMORY OF STEPHEN CABARRUS AND THE CITY OF CONCORD AS IT PREPARES FOR ITS BICENTENNIAL OBSERVANCE.
Whereas, Cabarrus County was formed on December 29, 1792, from Mecklenburg County and was named in honor of Stephen Cabarrus of Chowan County, the distinguished Speaker of the House of Commons during that time; and
Whereas, following the formation of Cabarrus County, there arose a dispute among the residents of the county as to the location of a seat of government for the county; and
Whereas, Stephen Cabarrus used his good offices to assist the competing factions to compromise their differences and agree on a central site for the location of the public buildings; and
Whereas, the 1795 General Assembly then authorized the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions to appoint Commissioners to lay off streets and lots at the location which had been agreed upon, and to establish there a town to be known as Concord in recognition of the "concord", or agreement, between the parties over the location of the county seat; and
Whereas, the new town became a center not only of government, but of business and social life for Cabarrus County; its early residents erected a courthouse, mercantile establishments, and homes; and
Whereas, those early residents brought with them a strong devotion to their churches, and established congregations which still serve the people of Concord; and
Whereas, much of the early history of Concord is written in the records of those churches; and
Whereas, the young men and women of Concord have never hesitated to answer their country's call to the colors, and have served with honor and distinction in every armed conflict from the War of 1812 through the Desert Storm Operation, and many still serve with valor in the armed forces of their nation; and
Whereas, the citizens of Concord have cherished a love of education from the earliest days of the city; its residents continue to support the outstanding public and private schools which educate their children; and
Whereas, through the efforts of General Rufus Barringer, a distinguished son of Concord and a Representative in the 1848 General Assembly, the route of the North Carolina Railroad ran near Concord, and led to the economic growth of the city following the War Between the States; and
Whereas, in 1839, leading merchants and residents of Concord envisioned the future of the textile industry in the area, and organized the first cotton mill in Cabarrus County; and
Whereas, in 1877, Captain J. M. Odell purchased that small mill and began building his great mills on that same site; and
Whereas, in 1887, James William Cannon built his first mill in Concord and erected on those early foundations a great empire of looms; and
Whereas, in 1895, Warren Coleman, an African-American merchant in Concord, built the first textile mill operated by African-American workers in the South; and
Whereas, Captain Daniel Branson Coltrane brought modern banking to Concord through his management of its first bank, and whereas, L. D. Coltrane brought modern communications to the city through the Concord Telephone Company; and
Whereas, the City of Concord has great textile and tobacco manufacturing plants, together with other modern manufacturing and distribution facilities representing companies in national and international commerce, the Cabarrus Memorial Hospital, an outstanding medical care facility, and nationally known motor sports facilities, which collectively host over a half-million racing fans from around the nation; and
Whereas, the residents of the City of Concord cherish their rich heritage as symbolized by the lovely homes of the Historic District and in the Historic 1876 Courthouse, but envision and celebrate a future of continuing economic growth for the city and boundless opportunities for its residents; and
Whereas, a bicentennial committee is planning a celebration and observance for the entire month of April 1996 to honor the inherited values of patriotism, honesty, love of family, and strong religious beliefs upon which the foundation of the city is built, to collect and preserve the early records of the city, and to publish an account of its history;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly wishes to honor the citizens of the City of Concord as they plan and celebrate their bicentennial.  The General Assembly further wishes to honor the memory of Stephen Cabarrus for his role in helping to establish the city.
Sec. 2.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the City of Concord and to its Bicentennial Committee.
Sec. 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.