GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

S	1 

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1096

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Sponsors: Senators Martin of Guilford, Basnight, Soles, Perdue, Jordan, Shaw, Sawyer, Dannelly, Kincaid, Ballantine, Cochrane, Kerr, Conder, Warren, Rand, Plyler, Odom, Hartsell, Cooper, Gulley, Allran, Lucas, Winner, Albertson, Carrington, Blackmon, McKoy, Hoyle, East, Webster, Clark, Horton, Martin of Pitt, Forrester, Little, Davis, Foxx, Ledbetter, and Hobbs.

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Referred to:  Rules Suspended; Calendar 5/31

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May 9, 1995

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF MARY FRANCES POWELL SEYMOUR, FORMER MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Whereas, Mary Frances Powell was born in the City of Raleigh, on April 12, 1922, to Robert C. Powell, former City Commissioner of Public Safety, and Annie Rebecca Seymour Powell, a political activist; and
Whereas, Mary Frances Powell was a graduate of Needham B. Broughton High School and Peace College; she also studied at Harvard University, the University of Michigan, the Center for Creative Leadership, and Guilford Technical and Community College; and
Whereas, Mary Frances Powell married Hubert E. Seymour, Jr., on February 3, 1945, and was the mother of two sons; and
Whereas, Mary Frances Powell Seymour worked for the Social Security Administration and the United States Air Force; and was a legal assistant, court reporter, and a licensed real estate broker; and
Whereas, Mary Frances Powell Seymour liked the City of Greensboro so much that she made it her home, becoming very active in the city's civic and governmental affairs; and
Whereas, Mary Frances Powell Seymour was a devoted and lifelong servant of her community and State, serving as a member of the Womens Professional Forum, the O. Henry Woman's Club, the Greensboro Council of Garden Clubs, Inc., the Greensboro Legal Auxiliary, the Chamber of Commerce, the Community Development Council, the Tarheel Trail Girl Scout Council, Inc., the Board of Visitors of Peace College, the Board of Directors of Hayes Taylor YMCA, the North Carolina Arts Council, the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Council, and as honorary member of Business and Professional Women; and
Whereas, as a young child, Mary Frances Powell Seymour was exposed to politics; she lived with her family in the Yarborough House in the City of Raleigh where her father was the manager and where most of the members of the General Assembly stayed while in Session; she assisted her mother in handing out political leaflets for Thad Eure, Sr., who was running for his first term as North Carolina's Secretary of State; and
Whereas, in 1966, Mary Frances Powell Seymour was elected to the Greensboro City Council, only the second woman ever to win a seat on the city council; she served three additional terms on the city council, and from 1973 to 1975, served as Mayor Pro Tempore; and
Whereas, Mary Frances Powell Seymour was a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1977, 1979, 1981, and 1983, and the North Carolina Senate in 1987, 1991, and 1993, during which tenure she served with honor and distinction and was chair of several committees including Alcoholic Beverage Control, Public Utilities, Libraries, Insurance, and of several subcommittees on Appropriations; and
Whereas, Mary Frances Powell Seymour was a member of the Legislative Services Commission and the Legislative Ethics Committee and was Chair of the Guilford County Legislative Delegation from 1982 to 1984; and
Whereas, Mary Frances Powell Seymour was a member of the North Carolina Law Related Education Committee from 1980 to 1984, the State Transportation Advisory Council from 1981 to 1983, and the Board of Directors of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators from 1981 to 1983; and
Whereas, Mary Frances Powell Seymour received numerous awards and honors including the 1970 Eleanor Roosevelt Award; the Bryant Citizenship Award in 1971; the Chamber of Commerce Dolley Madison Award; Distinguished Alumna, Peace College in 1974; Distinguished Service Award, YWCA in 1975; "Who's Who in Government”in 1975; the North Carolina Bar Association Legislative Recognition in 1980; Distinguished Service Award, North Carolina Public Health Association in 1982; the "Good Sam”Award for Legislation Affecting the Hearing Impaired in 1982; the Community Service Award, Bennett College; the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Legislative Award in 1984; and the Distinguished Women of North Carolina Award, in 1993;
Whereas, Mary Frances Powell Seymour was dedicated in her service to College Park Baptist Church, including her service as a Sunday School teacher for 10 years; and
Whereas, Mary Frances Powell Seymour was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 1990, and survived with hospitalization, radiation, and chemotherapy, but at all time kept up with her legislative duties and served her constituency effectively until she died on August 26, 1994, at 72 years of age; and
Whereas, Mary Frances Powell Seymour is survived by her husband, Hubert E. Seymour, Jr., two sons, Commander Hubert E. Seymour, III, (United States Navy, retired), and Dr. Robert Seymour, two grandchildren, and a great-grandchild; and
Whereas, with the death of Mary Frances Powell Seymour, the General Assembly, Guilford County, and the State lost a good friend and colleague and an admired and respected individual; and
Whereas, Mary Frances Powell Seymour will be long remembered for her caring for the needs of her State, its people and institutions, and for her leadership with the tough problems of governing at all levels; she is a role model for many and her life of service is an inspiration for all;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly expresses its deep appreciation for the life and the accomplishments of Mary Frances Powell Seymour and for the great service she rendered to the State of North Carolina, Guilford County, and the City of Greensboro.
Sec. 2.  The General Assembly of North Carolina extends its sympathy to the family of Mary Frances Powell Seymour for the great loss they have suffered.
Sec. 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Mary Frances Powell Seymour.
Sec. 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.