GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
RATIFIED BILL

RESOLUTION 2001-29
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1463

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF JOSEPH WAYNE GRIMSLEY, DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF RICHMOND COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

Whereas, Joseph Wayne Grimsley was born on February 4, 1936, in Stantonsburg, North Carolina, to J. J. Grimsley and Flora Hardison Grimsley; and
Whereas, upon graduation from Stantonsburg High School in 1954, Joseph Wayne Grimsley enlisted in the United States Army where he served until 1957; and
Whereas, after his service in the army, Joseph Wayne Grimsley enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received a bachelors degree in 1961; and
Whereas, continuing his education, Joseph Wayne Grimsley attended the Universidad De Los Andes, Bogotá, Columbia, South America as a Fulbright Scholar from 1961 to 1962 and received a masters degree from George Washington University in 1964; and
Whereas, from 1963 to 1967, Joseph Wayne Grimsley held various positions in the Peace Corps in Washington, D. C. and Honduras; and
Whereas, Joseph Wayne Grimsley rendered valuable service to the State of North Carolina, working for the Coastal Plains Regional Commission from 1968 to 1971, and serving as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Administration from 1972 to 1974, as Secretary of the Department of Administration from 1977 to 1981, and as Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development from 1981 to 1984; and
Whereas, in 1985, Joseph Wayne Grimsley became the President of Richmond Community College where he served for 16 years; and
Whereas, under Joseph Wayne Grimsley's leadership, many improvements were made at Richmond Community College, including construction of a learning resources center, which houses a library, study center, and television studio; a computer center, which houses computer labs with Internet access, an electronics lab, and administrative offices; and Cole Auditorium, a 1,000‑seat auditorium complex; and
Whereas, Joseph Wayne Grimsley helped develop the Tech Prep curriculum which brought about an alliance between colleges and public schools to encourage students to extend their education beyond high school; and
Whereas, Joseph Wayne Grimsley lent his support to the conversion of all the technical institutes to community college status and served as the State campaign director for the Unified Bonds campaign, the Schools and Roads Bonds campaign, and the Community Colleges and University Bonds campaign; and
Whereas, a lifelong Democrat, Joseph Wayne Grimsley was active in the political affairs of the State, serving as campaign director of the James B. Hunt for Lieutenant Governor Campaign in 1972, as a Special Assistant to Lieutenant Governor James B. Hunt from 1974 to 1976, as campaign manager for the James B. Hunt for Governor Committee in 1976, the Governor James B. Hunt Reelection Committee from 1979 to 1980, and the James B. Hunt Committee for United States Senate in 1984; and
Whereas, Joseph Wayne Grimsley served on many State, regional, and local boards and organizations, including the Sedimentation Control Commission, the Waste Management Board, the Environmental Education Fund, the Richmond County Partnership for Children, the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, the North Carolina Tech Prep Advisory Committee, Common Cause, and the North Carolina Association of Colleges and Universities; and
Whereas, Joseph Wayne Grimsley died on July 13, 2001; and
Whereas, Joseph Wayne Grimsley was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Marcia Coates Grimsley; a loving father to his children and stepchildren, Joseph Wayne Grimsley Jr., Julie Ann Grimsley Perry, Mary Christina Grimsley Waller, David Ashford, and Hannah Ashford; and a doting grandfather to his five grandchildren; Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Joseph Wayne Grimsley and expresses the appreciation of this State and its citizens for the valuable service he rendered.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its sincere sympathy to the family of Joseph Wayne Grimsley on 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 Joseph Wayne Grimsley.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 16th day of August, 2001.

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		 Beverly E. Perdue
	 President of the Senate

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		 James B. Black
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives