A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of george milton holmes, former member of the general assembly.
Whereas, George Milton Holmes was born in Surry County on June 20, 1929, the son of John William Holmes and Thelma Elizabeth Dobie Holmes; and
Whereas, George Milton Holmes graduated from Western High School in Washington, D.C., and obtained an undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University; and
Whereas, upon graduating from college, George Milton Holmes served as a teacher and coach for the football, baseball, and basketball teams from 1954 to 1956 at West Yadkin High School; and
Whereas, George Milton Holmes joined a family‑owned insurance company in 1956, later serving as the company's owner and president for a number of years before establishing Holmes and Associates; and
Whereas, George Milton Holmes served with honor and distinction for 16 terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1975 to 1976 and from 1979 to 2008; and
Whereas, during his tenure in the General Assembly, George Milton Holmes served on a number of committees, including Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform, Financial Institutions, Judiciary, Public Utilities, and Appropriations, where he served as cochair from 1995 to 1998; and
Whereas, George Milton Holmes served as the Minority Whip from 1981 to 1982 and as Minority Party Joint Caucus Leader from 1983 to 1984; and
Whereas, George Milton Holmes also made significant contributions as a member of the Governor's Crime Study Commission and Fire and Casualty Rate Study Commission and as a member of the Board of Directors of the First Union National Bank in Yadkinville; and
Whereas, George Milton Holmes was active in his community, serving as a Shriner of the Oasis Temple and as a member of the Yadkin Masonic Lodge 162, A. F. & A. M.; Winston‑Salem Consistory of Scottish Rite; and Flat Rock Baptist Church; and
Whereas, George Milton Holmes received numerous honors and awards for his good deeds, including the Distinguished Alumni Award from Appalachian State University, Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and the Yadkin County Commerce Public Service Award; and
Whereas, George Milton Holmes was instrumental in helping Appalachian State University obtain funding for a new arena, which was named the George M. Holmes Convocation Center in his honor; and
Whereas, George Milton Holmes died on December 31, 2009, at the age of 80; and
Whereas, George Milton Holmes is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann Ireland Holmes; daughter and son‑in‑law, Jennifer Leigh Holmes Crawley and Sid Crawley; and three grandchildren, Amanda Crawley, Megan Crawley, and Jennifer Crawley; and
Whereas, George Milton Holmes will be remembered by all who knew him as a man who was devoted to his family, his community, and to public service; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly of North Carolina honors the memory of George Milton Holmes and expresses the deep gratitude and appreciation of this State and its citizens for his life and service to North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly of North Carolina expresses its deep sorrow to the family of George Milton Holmes 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 George Milton Holmes.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.