GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
H	1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1459
     

 
Sponsors:	Representatives Alexander;  Dedmon, Clary, and Weatherly.	
Referred to:	Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.	
June 25, 2001

     
A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of dr. t. reginald harris, champion of health care access for north carolina's indigent populations, and expressing the intent of the general assembly to pursue access to health care for all.

Whereas, Dr. T. Reginald Harris dedicated his life to medicine, taking a leadership role in advancing the practice of medicine and providing quality health care for the citizens of North Carolina; and
Whereas, Dr. Harris was active throughout his medical career, serving in a variety of posts including Chairman of the Department of Medicine and Chief of Staff of Cleveland County Regional Medical Center, and participated in planning activities locally and regionally with involvement in health planning systems, the North Carolina Regional Medical Program, the North Carolina Health Coordinating Council, peer review organizations, and rural health initiatives; and
Whereas, Dr. Harris was especially dedicated to ensuring health care access for all North Carolinians, serving as Chairman of the Cleveland County Board of Health and assisting in the organization and establishment of five primary care clinics in three counties, Chairman of the Medical Mutual Insurance Company, Chairman of CLECO Primary Care Network, and vice‑president of the North Carolina Peer Review; and
Whereas, Dr. Harris also served as President of the North Carolina Medical Society, Speaker of the North Carolina Medical Society House of Delegates, a member of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation, and a member of the North Carolina Medical Society Executive Committee; and
Whereas, Dr. Harris believed a healthy populace is a critical ingredient in North Carolina's efforts to achieve progress in all areas of the State's development and that of its citizens; and
Whereas, the optimal health of the people is largely dependent upon reasonable access to quality health care at an affordable cost; and
Whereas, the State of North Carolina has, theretofore, not found it possible to design and finance a system of health care services available and accessible to all within its borders; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the life and memory of Dr. T. Reginald Harris and expresses appreciation for the contributions he made to the State of North Carolina and its citizens. The General Assembly recognizes the tremendous impact he had on improving the health of the citizens of North Carolina and his dedication to providing access to health care services for all.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly recognizes clearly the enormous benefits to be gained on behalf of the State and its citizens should a means be devised and implemented to provide access to quality, affordable health care to all within its borders.
SECTION 3.  The General Assembly shall adopt as an important objective the realization of the goal of health care access for all.
SECTION 4.  The General Assembly shall strive, as resources and methods become available, to support the development and financing of a health care system likely to achieve the objective of access to quality health care for all.
SECTION 5.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.