GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 1997
RATIFIED BILL

RESOLUTION 35
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1224

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF J. OLLIE HARRIS, FORMER MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Whereas, J. Ollie Harris was born in Anderson, South Carolina, on September 2, 1913, to J. Frank and Jessie Hambright Harris; and
Whereas, J. Ollie Harris graduated from Shelby High School in 1931, and the Gupton-Jones College of Embalming in 1935; and
Whereas, J. Ollie Harris served in the European Theatre of Operations in World War II as a member of the United States Army and for his bravery and actions above and beyond the call of duty was awarded the Bronze Star; and
Whereas, J. Ollie Harris became a funeral director and embalmer and served as President and Treasurer of Harris Funeral Home, Inc.; and
Whereas, J. Ollie Harris served his profession proudly as a member of the North Carolina Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors Association, the National Selected Morticians, the North Carolina Coroners Association, and the North Carolina Funeral Directors and Embalming Board; and
Whereas, J. Ollie Harris showed an outstanding devotion to public service, having served as a member of numerous civic and fraternal organizations including the Masons and Shriners; and
Whereas, winning his first election in 1946, J. Ollie Harris served as Cleveland County's Coroner for 35 years; and
Whereas, J. Ollie Harris distinguished himself as a State Senator for 10 terms beginning in 1971, where he was an advocate for the mentally and physically handicapped and served as chair of several committees; and
Whereas, J. Ollie Harris was a loyal member of the Democratic Party, having served as Chair of the West Kings Mountain Democratic Party Precinct Organization and as a member of the Cleveland County Democratic Party Executive Committee; and
Whereas, J. Ollie Harris was successful in securing funding for the Cleveland County Mental Health Center and was greatly honored by having the building named for him; and
Whereas, J. Ollie Harris received numerous awards and honors including the Award of Appreciation and Recognition from the North Carolina Psychological Association in 1985, the Better Life Award from the North Carolina Health Care Facilities in 1979, and the Valand Award from the North Carolina Mental Health Association in 1979, and was named Legislator of the Year by the North Carolina Health Department Association in 1979; and
Whereas, J. Ollie Harris was a devoted husband to his wife of 61 years, Abbie Wall Harris, and a devoted father to his son, John O. Harris, Jr. and his daughter, Becky Harris; and
Whereas, J. Ollie Harris died on February 9, 1996, and is survived by his daughter, Becky Harris, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and
Whereas, it is especially fitting that J. Ollie Harris, a man who served his community, State, and country so well and who will be sorely missed should be commemorated at this time; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

Section 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of J. Ollie Harris and expresses the gratitude and appreciation of this State and its citizens for his life and devoted service to his community, State, and country.
Section 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of J. Ollie Harris.
Section 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of J. Ollie Harris.
Section 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 4th day of June, 1998.

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	Dennis A. Wicker
	President of the Senate

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	Harold J. Brubaker
	Speaker of the House of Representatives