A JOINT RESOLUTION recognizing the bicentennial of haywood county and honoring john haywood, for whom the county is named.
Whereas, during the 1808 legislative session of the General Assembly, Representative Thomas Love of Buncombe County introduced a bill establishing a new county in the western portion of North Carolina; and
Whereas, the legislation passed on December 23, 1808, resulting in the formation of Haywood County; and
Whereas, Haywood County was named for John Haywood, who served as State Treasurer of North Carolina from 1787 to 1827; and
Whereas, Haywood County's rugged terrain features 19 mountain peaks over 6,000 feet above sea level; and
Whereas, Waynesville, the County's seat of government and the commercial and cultural capital of the Great Smoky Mountains, was named after Revolutionary War Hero "Mad" Anthony Wayne; and
Whereas, in Professor W. C. Allen's book, "The Annals of Haywood County," the last shot of the Civil War was fired on May 9, 1865, near Waynesville in Haywood County. The local Confederate forces, composed of Cherokee Indians and local citizens under the command of Colonel William H. Thomas ("Thomas's Legion") and Colonel John R. Love, had demanded the surrender of the federal forces of Colonel Bartlett of New York. They had apparently not heard of the surrender by General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia, on April 9, 1865. These Confederate forces then surrendered in Waynesville on May 10, 1865, and were the last forces of the Confederacy to surrender; and
Whereas, during the County's early history, much of its growth was as a result of the railroad's expansion into the area in 1882; and
Whereas, the State of North Carolina held its first annual summer teachers' institute at the White Sulphur Springs Hotel in Waynesville in 1884; and
Whereas, Champion Fibre Company's paper and pulp mill, founded by Peter G. Thomson, now known as Evergreen Packaging and employing 1,600 persons in Canton and Waynesville, began production in 1908 and is celebrating its centennial anniversary; and
Whereas, Lake Junaluska, a 1,200‑acre United Methodist Assembly, was established in 1913 and now serves as the home of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church; and
Whereas, in l926, the voters in Haywood County approved a $100,000 bond issue to finance the first county‑built public hospital in the State; and
Whereas, the citizens of Haywood County have made significant contributions to the social, cultural, political, and economic prosperity of the State of North Carolina; and
Whereas, Haywood County has been home to many great North Carolinians including: Governor Daniel K. Moore (1965-1969); Raymond Fairchild, a well‑known banjo player and creator of the "Fairchild Style" banjo playing technique, who has entertained audiences around the world; Marc Pruett, a talented banjo player and Grammy Award winner, who is currently a member of the Balsam Range Bluegrass Band; and Fred Chappell, an author, professor, and multiple literary award winner, who served as North Carolina's Poet Laureate from 1997 to 2002; and
Whereas, Colonel William Holland Thomas was one of the earliest and possibly the greatest lawyer and political figure in the history of Haywood County and was the first lobbyist. His character is central to the Charles Frazier book "Thirteen Moons." He was primarily responsible for the purchase of the Qualla Boundary, which was established as a reservation for the remaining members of the Cherokee Indians, known as the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians; and
Whereas, several Haywood County residents have served in Congress, including Felix Walker, James M. Gudger Jr., William T. Crawford, James M. Moody, and Heath Shuler; and
Whereas, Judge Felix Eugene Alley (1873‑1957) is considered to be the most well‑known judge from Haywood County. He held court all over North Carolina and was also the author of "Random Thoughts and Musings of a Mountaineer" and "What Think Ye of Christ?"; and
Whereas, the late Johnny M. Killian of Maggie Valley was a lawyer who advised Congress for more than 44 years on constitutional matters while serving as senior specialist in American public law at the Congressional Research Service, a branch of the Library of Congress; and
Whereas, Haywood County is home to "Folkmoot," the International Festival of Music and Dance; and
Whereas, Haywood County has within its boundaries four incorporated towns: Canton, Clyde, Maggie Valley – the clogging capital of the world – and Waynesville, which serves as the county seat; and
Whereas, Haywood County is the only county in the State that has a water supply that originates entirely within its boundaries; and
Whereas, Haywood County's natural beauty and proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains make it an ideal tourist destination; and
Whereas, Haywood County is known as a mecca for visitors year‑round to attractions like Ghost Town in the Sky, The Cataloochee Ranch, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Cataloochie Ski Area; and
Whereas, Haywood County served as the setting for Asheville‑born author, Charles Frazier's best‑selling Civil War novel, "Cold Mountain," which was made into a movie in 2003; and
Whereas, Haywood County has continued to grow and prosper through the continued dedication, insight, and planning of the County's concerned leaders and citizens; and
Whereas, Haywood County has a population of more than 56,000 and is the third‑largest county in Western North Carolina; and
Whereas, plans have been made to celebrate the County's bicentennial throughout the year during several community events; and
Whereas, Haywood County's bicentennial celebration is worthy of celebration and should be enjoyed and supported by all North Carolina citizens; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the life and memory of John Haywood and expresses appreciation for the contributions he made to this State.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly congratulates Haywood County on its bicentennial and joins the County's citizens in celebrating this historic occasion.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Chair of the Board of Commissioners of Haywood County.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.