A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring the memory of former officers of the senate and expressing appreciation to leroy Clark, Jr. for his many years of service as reading clerk of the SENATE.
Whereas, it is right and proper to recognize and commemorate the memory of elected officers of the Senate who have made valuable contributions to the effective operation of this body; and
Whereas, there is a long list of people who have ably served as Principle Clerk, beginning in 1777 with James Green, Jr. of Craven County; and
Whereas, many dedicated and hardworking people have also assisted the Senate in its duties, including Platt D. Cowan of New Hanover County, one of the earliest Reading Clerks, who served in 1879, and LeRoy Clark, Jr., who served as Reading Clerk for more than 30 years; and
Whereas, LeRoy Clark, Jr. was born on May 17, 1923, in Wake County; and
Whereas, LeRoy Clark, Jr. graduated from Rocky Mount High School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and
Whereas, LeRoy Clark, Jr. served as a B‑26 pilot in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, completed 45 combat missions, and was awarded two Purple Hearts; and
Whereas, LeRoy Clark, Jr. retired from the Army Air Corps with the rank of captain in 1958; and
Whereas, LeRoy Clark, Jr. had a successful career in tobacco sales and served his profession as a member of the North Carolina Agribusiness Trade Mission to the Far East, Director of the North Carolina World Trade Association, and President of the Triangle World Trade Association; and
Whereas, LeRoy Clark, Jr. distinguished himself as an officer in the Senate having first worked as Reading Clerk in 1959 and later serving from 1975 to 2002; and
Whereas, LeRoy Clark, Jr. has been active in his community, chairing local Red Cross drives and serving as a member of the Wendell Recreation Commission, Rotary Club, and the American Legion; and
Whereas, LeRoy Clark, Jr. and his wife Julia, are the parents of three children, nine grandchildren, and three great‑grandchildren; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
SECTION 1.  The Senate honors the memory of former officers of the Senate and expresses its appreciation and gratitude to LeRoy Clark, Jr. for his many years of service as Reading Clerk of the Senate.
SECTION 2.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of LeRoy Clark, Jr.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.