A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Benjamin Sylvester "Ben" Ruffin, Jr., former chair of the board of governors of the university of north carolina.
Whereas, Benjamin Sylvester "Ben" Ruffin, Jr. was born in Durham on December 11, 1941, to Catherine and Benjamin S. Ruffin; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin graduated from Hillside High School in 1960 and then attended North Carolina Central University, during which time he worked at a tailor shop to help pay for books and learned how to alter his clothes; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin received a bachelor's degree from North Carolina Central University in 1964 and then later earned a master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin committed himself thereafter to fight to improve the housing, jobs, and education of Durham's low‑income neighborhoods; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin was selected by Governor Jim Hunt to be the director of the North Carolina Human Relations Council in 1977 and then special assistant to minority affairs in 1978; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin was praised by the Honorable James B. Hunt, Jr. as being "…one of the most effective leaders of our state in the last half‑century. Ben's death is a special loss to me. He's probably the hardest working person with whom I ever worked. People said at the time he was the only person who outworked the governor"; and
Whereas, under Ben Ruffin's leadership the number of African-American judges in North Carolina increased from two to 17; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin also distinguished himself in the private sector, working for N.C. Mutual Life and R.J. Reynolds, and, as retired Reynolds executive Marshall Bass said, his "magnetic personality," impressed all who came into contact with him; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin held numerous leadership posts throughout his proud life, including being a member of the Board of Directors of the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin was appointed to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina in 1991 and in 1998 was elected to be the chair of that board; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin holds the distinction of being the first African‑American chair of the Board of Governors; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin strove to promote public education within the State, and his work as chair of the Board of Governors "will positively impact the lives of the people of North Carolina for generations to come"; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin, as the Honorable Jim Hunt acknowledged,"…worked tirelessly to see that everyone could be a part of the North Carolina dream"; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin was to all who worked with him and knew him, "the personification of intelligence, commitment and compassion"; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin received honorary degrees from North Carolina Central University and North Carolina A&T University in recognition of his lifework; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin was the recipient of the NAACP Kelly M. Alexander Humanitarian Award, the Donald H. McGannon Citation by the National Urban League, the North Carolina Association of Black County Officials Frederick Douglas Leadership Award, and the Blackbook Award by Dollars and Sense magazine; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin was a Life and Golden Heritage member of the NAACP, a Prince Hall Mason, and former pole march of the Winston‑Salem Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; and
Whereas, Ben was an active member of Emmanuel Baptist Church and served as a Sunday school teacher and usher; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin remained committed to the North Carolina Public University system after stepping down as its chair and remained filled with such zeal until his final moments; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin died on December 7, 2006, at the age of 64; and
Whereas, Ben Ruffin is survived by his wife, Avon, and his two daughters, April and her husband Fred Adams, and Benita; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Benjamin Sylvester Ruffin, Jr. and expresses the appreciation of this State and its citizens for his life and service.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Benjamin Sylvester Ruffin, Jr. and mourns the loss of this man and devoted public servant.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall send a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Benjamin Sylvester Ruffin, Jr.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.