A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF LISTON BRYAN RAMSEY, FORMER MEMBER AND SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Whereas, Liston Bryan Ramsey was born on February 26, 1919, in Madison County, to John Morgan Ramsey and Della Lee Bryan Ramsey; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey attended the Madison County Schools and Mars Hill College; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey proudly served our country as a sergeant in the Army Air Corps during World War II, where he saw action in the Pacific Theater; and
Whereas, after the war, Liston Ramsey returned to his beloved Madison County where he greatly contributed to the economic life of his community as a successful merchant; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey was married to Florence McDevitt and fathered one child; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey became active in politics in 1948 after winning a seat on the Town of Marshall's Board of Aldermen; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey served as an alderman for 12 years; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey served as Chair of the Madison County Democratic Executive Committee from 1958 to 1960 and in 1962; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1960; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey served the people of Madison County and North Carolina for 19 terms in the 1961, 1963, and 1967 through 1999 sessions of the General Assembly, the longest in State history; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey served as Chair of the Justices of the Peace Committee in 1967, Local Government Committee in 1969, House Legislative Redistricting Committee in 1971, Finance Committee in 1973 and 1975, Rules Committee in 1978 and 1979, State Personnel in 1991, and Financial Institutions in 1993 and 1999; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey also served as cochair of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Research Commission, and the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations; and
Whereas, during his tenure in the General Assembly, Liston Ramsey took a special interest in public education and the environment and sought to enact legislation to help rural areas, especially those in the western part of the State; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey presided as Speaker of the House of Representatives for an unprecedented four terms from 1981 through 1988, making him the most powerful speaker in State history; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey was admired and respected by his colleagues and other State officials; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey served as Chair of the 11th Congressional District Democratic Executive Committee in 1972, 1974, 1976, and 1980; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey gave freely of his time to many local organizations in Madison County, serving as an Elk and a Mason and as a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey received numerous honors and awards, including the first annual Roy A. Taylor Service Award in 1978, the Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Alumni from Mars Hill College in 1979, the North Carolina Public Service Award in 1985, the Friend of Education Award from the NCAE in 1985, an honorary doctorate from Mars Hill College in 1988, and a Certificate of Commendation from the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1989; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey was a great advocate of Western Carolina University and in 1987, the university named its campus activity center in his honor; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey died at the age of 82 on September 2, 2001, leaving to cherish his memory his daughter, Martha Ramsey Banks, and two sisters; and
Whereas, Liston Ramsey will be remembered by all who knew him as a man devoted to family, community, and public service; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Liston Bryan Ramsey and expresses the appreciation and gratitude of this State and its citizens for his life and service to his community and to North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Liston Bryan Ramsey for the loss of a dearly loved family member.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Liston Bryan Ramsey.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.