A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of robert lafayette "bob" martin, former member of the general assembly.
Whereas, Robert Lafayette "Bob" Martin was born on November 8, 1912, to John Wesley Martin and Lena Sessums Martin, in Pitt County; and
Whereas, Bob Martin graduated from the Oxford Orphanage High School in Granville County in 1929 and received additional training at the Oxford Orphanage in telegraphy and electricity in 1930; and
Whereas, Bob Martin worked as an agency supervisor for railroad communications, train orders and train operations from 1934 to 1977, owned a farm from 1939 to 1980, owned and operated a truck delivery service from 1965 to 1975, and served as President of Pitt Farmers Mutual Insurance from 1968 to 2003; and
Whereas, Bob Martin was a devoted public servant for 53 years, serving as a Bethel Town Commissioner from 1949 to 1951, Mayor of Bethel from 1951 to 1956, Pitt County Commissioner from 1956 to 1984, and State Senator from 1984 to 2002; and
Whereas, Bob Martin served with honor and distinction in the General Assembly, making significant contributions as a member of numerous committees and commissions and as Chair of the Appropriations Committee on Natural and Economic Resources; and
Whereas, while serving in the General Assembly, Bob Martin worked diligently on behalf of his constituents, helping to bring better roads to the area and helping to establish an $18 million agricultural center in the Town of Williamston, which was named the Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center; and
Whereas, Bob Martin was an effective leader in his community, serving as President of the Rotary Club in 1962, President of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners from 1972 to 1973, President of the United Way in 1976, and President of the Greenville Golden "K" Kiwanis in 1980; and
Whereas, Bob Martin was a member of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers from 1941 to 1977 and served on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners from 1966 to 1972, the Board of Directors of the National Association of Counties from 1974 to 1980, and the Board of Directors of the Pitt County Mental Health Department for a number of years; and
Whereas, Bob Martin was a Shriner and a 32nd degree Mason; and
Whereas, Bob Martin was active in the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, serving on the Board of Deacons as Chair and as a Sunday school superintendent and teacher; and
Whereas, Bob Martin was named Bethel Man of the Year in 1955 and the North Carolina County Commissioner of the Year in 1981 and was awarded the Friend of Agriculture Award in 1998; and
Whereas, Bob Martin died on June 22, 2003, at the age of 90; and
Whereas, Bob Martin leaves to mourn his wife of 63 years, Sue Cooper Martin, his daughters, Lynda M. King and Bobbe S. Rouse, and five grandchildren; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Robert Lafayette "Bob" Martin and expresses the appreciation of this State and its citizens for the great service he rendered to North Carolina and the counties he represented.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Robert Lafayette Martin for the loss of their beloved family member.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Robert Lafayette Martin.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.