GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

S	1 

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1537*

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Sponsors: Senator Reeves.

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Referred to:  Rules and Operations of the Senate.

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June 1, 1998

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF JAMES M. POYNER, FORMER MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Whereas, James M. Poyner was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on September 18, 1914, to James Marion Poyner and Mary Sherwood Smedes Poyner; and
Whereas, James M. Poyner received a bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering in 1935 and a masters degree in Chemical Engineering in 1937 from North Carolina State University; and
Whereas, while a student at North Carolina State University, James M. Poyner began and led the popular "Jimmy Poyner's Famous Collegians”orchestra; and
Whereas, James M. Poyner received his law degree from Duke University in 1940 and began a law practice in the City of Raleigh; and
Whereas, during World War II, James M. Poyner served his country in the United States Army's Chemical War Unit and was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal; and
Whereas, after the war, James M. Poyner began the firm Poyner, Geraghty, Hartsfield and Townsend.  The firm eventually merged to form Poyner and Spruill; and
Whereas, James M. Poyner was elected to two terms in the General Assembly, where he served as a member of the Senate, representing Wake County from 1955 until 1958; and
Whereas, James M. Poyner distinguished himself in the field of business, becoming the founder of Eastern Standard Insurance Company and cofounder of the Business Development Corporation of North Carolina and the Cameron-Brown Mortgage Company (now First Union Mortgage); and
Whereas, James M. Poyner served as director of the First Union National Bank and The Richmond Corporation and was President of the North Carolina Bar Association; and
Whereas, James M. Poyner played a prominent role in the development of the Research Triangle Park, helping to organize and lead corporate recruitment efforts; and
Whereas, James M. Poyner was active in his community, serving as President and Director of the Raleigh YMCA, Chair of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Trustee of St. Mary's College, and Chair of the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Symphony Society; and 
Whereas, James M. Poyner helped to establish Camps Sea Gull and Seafarer; and
Whereas, James M. Poyner helped to develop several country clubs, was a member of the Board of Directors of the Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst for 25 years, and served as chair of the World Golf Hall of Fame for seven years; and
Whereas, James M. Poyner was a founding member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church; and
Whereas, James M. Poyner died on December 30, 1997, at the age of 83; and
Whereas, James M. Poyner is survived by his wife of 52 years, Florence Chan Poyner; four daughters, Susan Poyner Moore, Chan Poyner Pike, Margaret Poyner Galbraith, and Edythe Poyner Lumsden; a son, James Marion Poyner III; and eight grandchildren; and
Whereas, the General Assembly wishes to pay tribute to its former member for his dedication and leadership; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly wishes to honor the life and memory of James M. Poyner and express its appreciation for his service to the citizens of the State of North Carolina.
Section 2.  The General Assembly joins the family and friends of James M. Poyner in mourning the loss of one of the State's most respected citizens.
Section 3. The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of James M. Poyner.
Section 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.