GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1235

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Sponsors: Representatives Gray, Womble, Esposito, Oldham, Sexton, Decker, and Brown.

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

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May 29, 1997

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF EDGAR M. "LONESOME ED”MCKNIGHT, FORMER MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Whereas, Edgar M. McKnight was born on June 21, 1908, in Dallas, North Carolina, to Samuel W. McKnight and Bessie White McKnight; and
Whereas, "Lonesome Ed" McKnight served his country as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps from 1924 to 1932; and
Whereas, Edgar M. McKnight was married to the former Dorothy Essex on November 26, 1952, and the father of four children; and
Whereas, Edgar M. McKnight was a successful businessman in Winston-Salem, where he owned and served as President of his company, Edmac, Inc., a welding supply and air compressor business; and
Whereas, Edgar M. McKnight was active in his community serving as a member of the Winston-Salem Twin City Club, the Elks Club, and the Clemmons Civic Club; and
Whereas, Edgar M. McKnight was a member of the Calvary Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, where he held numerous offices and served in various capacities; and
Whereas, Edgar M. McKnight ran for a seat in the North Carolina House of Representatives from Forsyth County in 1964, and won the election becoming the first Republican elected countywide in Forsyth County in the twentieth century; and
Whereas, Edgar M. McKnight was labeled by the local newspaper, the Twin City Sentinel early in his term as "Lonesome Ed" because the other members of his local House delegation didn't tell him about the meeting times of the local caucus; and
Whereas, Edgar M. McKnight wore his new name as a badge of honor and campaigned during the next election as "Lonesome Ed" putting the new nickname on the ballot; and
Whereas, "Lonesome Ed" McKnight was not lonesome after the 1966 election winning reelection while helping elect all of his fellow Republican candidates in Forsyth County to the State House and Senate; and
Whereas, "Lonesome Ed" McKnight won reelection to the State House again in 1968, and helped the Republicans capture all five House seats and both State Senate seats in Forsyth County for the first time ever; and
Whereas, "Lonesome Ed" McKnight won reelection to the State House again in 1970 and 1972; and
Whereas, on October 4, 1974, Governor James Holshouser appointed "Lonesome Ed" McKnight to fill a vacancy in the State Senate; and
Whereas, "Lonesome Ed" McKnight served with great distinction during his five terms in the North Carolina General Assembly helping to create a more open and deliberative atmosphere in the legislative body; and
Whereas, "Lonesome Ed" McKnight was a strong supporter of improved education, an expanded parks system, better highways and transportation systems, and better environmental controls; and
Whereas, the Winston-Salem Journal and Twin City Sentinel both recognized "Lonesome Ed" McKnight's great political talents and abilities and continually endorsed him in election after election; and
Whereas, "Lonesome Ed" McKnight eagerly and willingly mentored many other young office seekers and officeholders throughout his entire political career and added immeasurably to their chances for success; and
Whereas, "Lonesome Ed" McKnight died on November 4, 1994, just a few days before he could have seen his lifelong dream of seeing a Republican Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives; and
Whereas, "Lonesome Ed" McKnight was preceded in death by a daughter, Doris M. Matthews, and is survived by his wife, Dorothy E. McKnight; his sons, Don B. McKnight and Keith J. McKnight; his daughter, Gayle M. Dion; and five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and
Whereas, with the death of "Lonesome Ed" McKnight, the State of North Carolina has lost a most able, outstanding, devoted, and loyal citizen; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly honors the life and memory of Edgar M. "Lonesome Ed" McKnight and expresses the appreciation of this State for the service he rendered.
Section 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Edgar M. "Lonesome Ed" McKnight for their loss.
Section 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Edgar M. "Lonesome Ed" McKnight.
Section 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.