GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

S	1 

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1084

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Sponsors: Senators Reeves; Carrington, Horton, Kerr, and Miller.

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Referred to:  Rules and Operations of the Senate.

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June 30, 1997

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF J. MELVILLE BROUGHTON, JR.
Whereas, J. Melville Broughton, Jr., a lifelong resident of the City of Raleigh, was born on March 24, 1922, and attended Wake Forest University, Duke University, and graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law; and
Whereas, J. Melville Broughton, Jr., proudly served his country in World War II as a First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps; and
Whereas, following his admission to the North Carolina State Bar, J. Melville Broughton, Jr., served for four years as a prosecutor in Raleigh Municipal Court and then entered the general practice of law with the firm founded by his father (now known as Broughton, Wilkins, Webb and Sugg) where he remained for 45 years; and
Whereas, from 1957 to 1961, J. Melville Broughton, Jr., served as Chairman of the North Carolina Highway Commission, and later under Governor Dan K. Moore served as the Chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party; and finally in 1968, ran for the Democratic nomination for Governor against then Lieutenant Governor Robert Scott and Reginald Hawkins, finishing second in the primary; and
Whereas, J. Melville Broughton, Jr., was devoted to  his State above all else and counted among his friends and those he supported at the polls both Democrats and Republicans; and, indeed, his bipartisanship was such that in 1975, President Gerald Ford nominated him to the National Legal Services Board, which was dedicated to providing legal representation to indigent persons; and
Whereas, J. Melville Broughton, Jr., was an active and lifelong member of Christ Episcopal Church in Raleigh and was involved in the Laubach Literacy national movement; and
Whereas, J. Melville Broughton, Jr., was a beloved figure in this General Assembly and in our entire State, warming us with his easy laugh and ready smile; his tall, rumpled figure, with his coat pocket full of pencil stubs, moving gregariously among all sorts and conditions of men, encouraging, listening, advising, and at all times embodying the very essence of a true Christian gentleman; and
Whereas, J. Melville Broughton, Jr., passed away on April 17, 1997, and is survived by his wife, Maryanne Cooper Broughton; his daughter, Harriet B. Gruber; two sons, J. Melville Broughton, III, and James Wesley Cooper Broughton; and five grandchildren;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly expresses its high regard for the life and service of J. Melville Broughton, Jr., and mourns the loss to this date of such a distinguished citizen.
Section 2.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of J. Melville Broughton, Jr.
Section 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.