A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of james franklin "Jim" richardson, sr., former member of the general assembly.
Whereas, James Franklin "Jim" Richardson, Sr., was born on May 20, 1926, to Sam and Addie Pickens Richardson in the City of Charlotte; and
Whereas, Jim Richardson attended the Charlotte public schools and earned a bachelors degree from Johnson C. Smith University; and
Whereas, Jim Richardson worked for the United States Postal Service for 33 years, retiring as Postmaster of the Mount Holly facility on January 8, 1981; and
Whereas, Jim Richardson served with honor and distinction as a member of the General Assembly, serving one term in the House of Representatives from 1985 through 1986 and four terms in the Senate from 1987 through 1994; and
Whereas, during his tenure in the General Assembly, Jim Richardson served as chair of several committees, including Veterans Affairs and Senior Citizens, Children and Youth, and Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources, and served as chair of the Legislative Black Caucus and as the Majority Whip from 1991 to 1992; and
Whereas, after leaving the General Assembly, Jim Richardson continued to represent the citizens of Mecklenburg County as a member of the Board of County Commissioners; and
Whereas, Jim Richardson was appointed to the Board of County Commissioners to fill an unexpired term on August 15, 1994, and was elected to the Board for two terms on December 5, 1994, and December 7, 1998; and
Whereas, Jim Richardson served as chair of the North Carolina Social Services Commission, the WTVI Public Television Advisory Board, the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Youth Council, and the HIV/AIDS Consortium; and
Whereas, Jim Richardson was a Trustee of Johnson C. Smith University and the Charlotte Mint Museum, a member of the Board of Directors of Barium Springs Home for Children, a member of the Board of Directors of the Arts and Science Council, and a member of the North Carolina State Board of Examiners in Optometry; and
Whereas, Jim Richardson was active in several fraternal organizations, including the Masons, Shriners, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; and
Whereas, Jim Richardson's other memberships included the Charlotte Drug Education Center Board, Mecklenburg Area Mental Health Authority, Mecklenburg Youth Services Board, Mecklenburg County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, and the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development, Inc.; and
Whereas, Jim Richardson was a loyal and devoted member of his church, Memorial Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, where he served as a trustee, deacon, elder, and as a member of the Social Action Committee; and
Whereas, Jim Richardson served in World War II as a member of the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946; and
Whereas, during his lifetime, Jim Richardson received more than 250 recognitions and awards; and
Whereas, in 1994, the main ballroom of the Charlotte Convention Center was named the James (Jim) Richardson Ballroom; and
Whereas, for his outstanding service to the United States Postal Service, Congress enacted legislation sponsored by Congressman Mel Watt to designate a post office in Charlotte as the "Jim Richardson Post Office" in 2003; and
Whereas, Jim Richardson died September 28, 2003, after a lifetime of public service; and
Whereas, Jim Richardson is survived by his wife, Mary Nixon Richardson; a son, James Richardson, Jr.; daughter‑in‑law, Angela Richardson; and two grandchildren, James Franklin Richardson, III, and Ryan Chase Richardson; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of James Franklin "Jim" Richardson, Sr., and expresses its appreciation for the service he rendered to his community, Mecklenburg County, and the State of North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of James Franklin "Jim" Richardson, Sr., for the loss of a beloved husband, father, and grandfather.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of James Franklin "Jim" Richardson, Sr.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.