A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of louise smith brennan, former member of the general assembly.
Whereas, Louise Smith Brennan was born in Chester, South Carolina, on November 11, 1922, to Tom Smith and Kate Varnadore Smith; and
Whereas, Louise Smith Brennan graduated from Hartsell High School in 1939 and later earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science and English from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1970 at the age of 48; and
Whereas, Louise Smith Brennan furthered her education by taking additional graduate courses at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and
Whereas, Louise Smith Brennan married Robert Thomas Sutton in 1949, and from their union, three children, Susan, Jane, and Robert, Jr., were born; and
Whereas, after the death of Robert Thomas Sutton, Sr., Louise Smith Brennan married Stanley L. Brennan on September 25, 1965; and
Whereas, Louise Smith Brennan became active in politics and served the State and national Democratic party in many capacities, including serving as President of the Democratic Women's Club of Mecklenburg County in 1967, as Chair of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party from 1970 to 1972, and as a Delegate at the Democratic National Convention in 1972; and
Whereas, Louise Smith Brennan served with honor and distinction as a member of the House of Representatives during the 1969, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1983 sessions of the General Assembly; and
Whereas, as a member of the General Assembly, Louise Smith Brennan advocated the adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment and supported issues affecting women, including day care and domestic violence; and
Whereas, after leaving the General Assembly, Louise Smith Brennan served as an adjunct professor in the Political Science Department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte; and
Whereas, Louise Smith Brennan was active in her community, serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Heart Association of Mecklenburg County, Unit Chair of United Appeal (now the United Way), and President of Dilworth PTA; and
Whereas, in 1988, Louise Smith Brennan became the first female member of the Mecklenburg County Rotary Club; and
Whereas, Louise Smith Brennan was a faithful member of Caldwell Memorial Presbyterian Church, where she served as an Elder and Sunday School Teacher; and
Whereas, over the years, Louise Smith Brennan was recognized for her many good deeds, including being named Charlotte's Woman of the Year in 1982 and being inducted into the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Hall of Fame; and
Whereas, Louise Smith Brennan died on December 8, 2007, at the age of 85; and
Whereas, Louise Smith Brennan is survived by her children, Jane Sutton Rollins and Robert T. Sutton, Jr., and grandchildren, Brennan Coleman, Elizabeth Coleman, David Rollins, Jack Mitchell, and Robby Mitchell; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Louise Smith Brennan and expresses its appreciation for her life and public service.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Louise Smith Brennan 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 Louise Smith Brennan.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.