A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of hugh stewart johnson, jr., a former member of the north carolina general assembly.
Whereas, Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. was born on December 12, 1920, in Rose Hill, North Carolina, to Hugh Stewart Johnson, Sr. and Ethel Southerland Johnson; and
Whereas, Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. attended Oak Ridge Military Institute in Oak Ridge, North Carolina, and Motte's Business School in Wilmington, North Carolina; and
Whereas, Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. was a successful and respected retail hardware merchant; and
Whereas, Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. served as a naval aviator for three years in the United States Naval Reserve during World War II and achieved the rank of lieutenant; and
Whereas, Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. served as a commissioner of the Town of Rose Hill from 1947 to 1949; and
Whereas, Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. was appointed to fill the remainder of Robert M. Carr's term in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1956; and
Whereas, Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. was later elected to the House of Representatives where he served with honor and distinction from 1957 through 1970; and
Whereas, Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. had a deep personal interest in health care issues facing North Carolina, especially the shortage of physicians in the rural areas of the State; and
Whereas, Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr.'s interest and commitment in health care issues led to his being appointed Chair of the Legislative Research Commission on the Physician Shortage in Rural North Carolina in 1967; and
Whereas, under Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr.'s leadership, the Commission revealed that the physician shortage was national as well as local, that many diverse factors were at play in its identification and interpretation, that many persons and institutions had a continuing effect on its manifestation and solution, and that the shortage of physicians in rural areas in North Carolina was undeniably entwined in the much larger and more comprehensive problem of sufficient health manpower and adequate means of health services delivery in all parts of the State and nation; and
Whereas, Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. was an effective advocate for the passage of legislation to implement the Commission's recommendations, which included funding to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to be used to develop and expand the program and facilities of the School of Medicine and to provide a family medicine professorship; and
Whereas, in subsequent legislation, funds were appropriated to create a Department of Family Medicine in the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and
Whereas, as a result of Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr.'s efforts, there was an increased focus on the shortage of physicians in rural North Carolina that resulted in further studies, including a Legislative Research Commission study in 1969 that conducted a broad and in‑depth study of the health manpower needs of North Carolina; and
Whereas, this Commission contributed to the development and expansion of the medical schools at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and East Carolina University and laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Statewide Area Health Education Centers Programs; and
Whereas, Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. was active in numerous organizations, including the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 32nd Degree; Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry; American Legion, Wallace Post No. 156; and Rehobeth Lodge No. 279 A.F. & A.M.; and
Whereas, Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. received many special recognitions and awards, including the Man of the Year Award in 1956 from English‑Brown Post No. 9161, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wallace, North Carolina; and
Whereas, Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. was well respected and admired by his colleagues and friends; and
Whereas, Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. will be remembered for his many contributions to the State of North Carolina; and
Whereas, Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. died on October 1, 1974; and
Whereas, Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, the former Evelyn Furr, a loving father to his children, Tanya Johnson Shelton, Vann Stewart Johnson, Sara Johnson Brown, Evelyn Johnson DeVane, and Helen Johnson; and
Whereas, it is the desire of the General Assembly to formally recognize Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr.'s achievements and to pay tribute to his life and service; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the life and memory of Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. and expresses appreciation for the service he rendered to Duplin County, the State of North Carolina, and the nation.
SECTION 2.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.