GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

S	1 

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1225

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Sponsors: Senators Garwood and Moore.

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Referred to:  Rules and Operations of the Senate.

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May 15, 2000

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF REVEREND EDGAR TUFTS, FOUNDER OF LEES-MCRAE COLLEGE IN BANNER ELK, ON THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COLLEGE.
Whereas, in 1895, Edgar Tufts, a student at the Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, was sent by the Concord Presbytery to organize a church in Banner Elk, North Carolina; and
Whereas, in 1897, newly ordained Reverend Edgar Tufts returned to Banner Elk and became pastor of that church; and
Whereas, during the winter of 1899, Reverend Tufts, concerned about the limited educational opportunities for students living in his community, took it upon himself to provide further instruction to these students; and
Whereas, Reverend Tufts felt that his efforts were not enough, especially for girls, and set out to establish a boarding school; and
Whereas, in 1900, with donations of money, lumber, and labor,  a dormitory to house fourteen female students and a teacher was opened; and
Whereas, the school was named McRae Institute in honor of Elizabeth A. McRae, a summer school teacher who was devoted to her work; and
Whereas, a few years later, Reverend Tufts opened a similar school for boys in Plumtree, North Carolina; and
Whereas, the name of both the girls' and boys' schools became Lees-McRae to honor Mrs. S. P. Lees, who was a generous benefactor; and
Whereas, in 1907, the schools were chartered by the State of North Carolina as Lees-McRae Institute; and
Whereas, in 1927, the separate schools were merged as a coeducational facility in Banner Elk; and
Whereas, in 1931, Lees-McRae Institute became a two-year college and in 1990, Lees-McRae College became a fully-accredited baccalaureate institution; and
Whereas, for 100 years, Lees-McRae College has provided the students of North Carolina, particularly those in the western part of the State, with a quality, values-based education; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly honors the life and memory of Reverend Edgar Tufts on the one hundredth anniversary of Lees-McRae College. 
Section 2.  The General Assembly joins Lees-McRae College in recognizing September 26, 2000, as Edgar Tufts Day
Section 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the President of Lees-McRae College.
Section 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.