A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of william dudley robbins, sr., former lieutenant colonel of the united states army.

Whereas, William Dudley Robbins was born on February 8, 1921, to W.H. "Red" Robbins and Izma Jennette Robbins in the City of Raleigh; and
Whereas, as a young boy, William Dudley Robbins moved with his family to Pender County; and
Whereas, William Dudley Robbins graduated from Burgaw High School in 1938 and received a degree in horticulture from North Carolina State University in 1942, where he served as president of the student body and Cadet Colonel of the ROTC and was a member of the football, baseball, and boxing teams; and
Whereas, after college, William Dudley Robbins proudly served in the United States Army during World War II, where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge; and
Whereas, William Dudley Robbins spent time as a prisoner of war from December 1944 to May 1945, and was awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Purple Heart, and three Battle Stars; and
Whereas, upon his discharge from the army, William Dudley Robbins joined the Army Reserves, remaining an active member until 1964 and reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; and
Whereas, William Dudley Robbins' deep affinity for the land and his background in horticulture provided the foundation in helping him to succeed as the owner of Robbins Nursery in the Town of Penderlea; and
Whereas, William Dudley Robbins was an active supporter of veterans and veterans' rights and in 1965, became a charter member of the American Legion Post 165 in Burgaw; and
Whereas, William Dudley Robbins served as Post Commander for two years and was later elected District Commander, State Vice Commander, and State Commander; and
Whereas, William Dudley Robbins went on to serve on the National Executive Committee and as a member of the American Legion's National Insurance Committee, the National Americanism Commission, and the National Security Commission; and
Whereas, William Dudley Robbins was appointed to the North Carolina Veterans Commission, serving under Governors Daniel T. Moore, James B. Hunt, Jr., and Michael F. Easley, and served as Chair of the North Carolina Veterans Affairs Commission from June 1993 to September 2004; and
Whereas, William Dudley Robbins strongly believed in educating the youth in his community, serving as Chair of the Pender County Board of Education for 23 years of his 25‑year tenure; and
Whereas, William Dudley Robbins was a strong participant in his community, serving as a Ruritan and Mason for more than 50 years, as a Shriner, and as a charter member of both the Pender County Rescue Squad and the Penderlea Fire Department; and
Whereas, William Dudley Robbins was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., and presented a POW Medal by Congressman Mike McIntyre; and
Whereas, William Dudley Robbins was active in the Saint Mary's Episcopal Church in Burgaw, where he was a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, and a member of the Vestry; and
Whereas, William Dudley Robbins died on March 13, 2007, at the age of 86; and
Whereas, William Dudley Robbins is survived by his wife, Jacquelyne Gordon Robbins; four sons, William Dudley "Bill" Robbins, Jr., Wilfred Lee "Red" Robbins, Martin Gordon "Marty" Robbins, and James Thomas "Jimbo" Robbins; six grandchildren; and several other close relatives; Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of William Dudley Robbins, Sr., and expresses the appreciation of this State and its citizens for his contributions and service.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of William Dudley Robbins, Sr., for the loss of a beloved and distinguished family member.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of William Dudley Robbins, Sr.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 29th day of June, 2007.

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		 Marc Basnight
	 President Pro Tempore of the Senate

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		 Joe Hackney
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives