A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Sophie Ellen "jo" graham foster, former member of the general assembly.

Whereas, Sophie Ellen "Jo" Graham was born on May 22, 1915, to the Reverend Joseph Alexander Graham and Queen McDonald Graham in Rowesville, South Carolina; and
Whereas, Jo Graham was a graduate of Spring Hill Central High School and Columbia College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in 1935; and
Whereas, Jo Graham was the wife of James Benjamin Foster and the mother of Mary Jo Foster McClure; and 
Whereas, Jo Graham Foster had an outstanding career as an educator, teaching in South Carolina and Maryland before moving to North Carolina; and
Whereas, Jo Graham Foster taught at Thomasboro High School in Charlotte, served as an Assistant Principal at West Mecklenburg High School for 24 years, and later worked as an Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Schools; and
Whereas, Jo Graham Foster was a member of several professional organizations, including the National Education Association, Professional Educators of North Carolina, Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Educators Association, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Delta Kappa Gamma, Gamma Sigma, Sigma Tau Delta, and the International Platform Association, and served as President of the North Carolina Association of Educators; and
Whereas, Jo Graham Foster served with honor and distinction as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for 10 terms between 1973 and 1992; and
Whereas, during her tenure in the General Assembly, Jo Graham Foster served as Chair of the Committee on Education, Government Subcommittee on State Government and Properties, and the Economic Expansion Subcommittee on Travel, Tourism and Economic Development and made contributions as a member of the Committees on Appropriations, Aging, Basic Resources, Mental Health, Ethics, and Rules and the Advisory Budget Commission; and
Whereas, Jo Graham Foster became the first female to preside over the House of Representatives during a session on May 12, 1989; and
Whereas, Jo Graham Foster was a much sought‑after public speaker by many civic, religious, and educational groups and appeared before 127 audiences as the main speaker; and
Whereas, Jo Graham Foster was active in her community, serving on numerous boards and commissions, including the Education Commission of the States, Johnson C. Smith University's Board of Visitors, Boys Town Board of Visitors, Relatives Advisory Board, Mental Health Board, Total Care Board, National Committee for Citizenship and Social Studies, and the Board of the State and Federal Assembly; and
Whereas, Jo Graham Foster's numerous awards and honors include: Outstanding Educator among Elementary School Principals; National Legislator of the Year; National Woman of the Year Award in Business and Politics; Business and Professional Women's State Career Woman of the Year Award; and Columbia College Alumnae Association Career Achievement Award; and
Whereas, Jo Graham Foster was active in the Dilworth Methodist Church in Charlotte, serving on the Board of Stewards and as an adult Sunday school teacher and a lay speaker; and
Whereas, Jo Graham Foster died on December 1, 2006, at the age of 91; and
Whereas, Jo Graham Foster is survived by her grandchildren, Jimmy and Jerry McClure; Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the life and memory of Sophie Ellen "Jo" Graham Foster and expresses the appreciation of this State and its citizens for the service she rendered.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Sophie Ellen "Jo" Graham Foster for the loss of a beloved family member.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Sophie Ellen "Jo" Graham Foster.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 1st day of July, 2008.

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		 Beverly E. Perdue
	 President of the Senate

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		 Joe Hackney
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives