A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of philip pittman Godwin, Sr., former speaker of the house of representatives.
Whereas, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. was born in Gatesville, North Carolina, to Adolphus Pilston Godwin, Sr. and Mabel Claire Hayes Godwin; and
Whereas, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. attended Fishburn Military School and Wake Forest University, where he earned a BS degree and an LL.B degree; and
Whereas, after law school, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. returned to his hometown of Gatesville and established a successful law practice; and
Whereas, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. was a member of several professional organizations, including the First District Bar Association, President from 1963 to 1964; the North Carolina State Bar; and the North Carolina Bar Association; and
Whereas, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. developed an interest in politics while in law school and during that time served as President of the Young Democrats Club in 1955; and
Whereas, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. was elected to the House of Representatives in 1960, where he served until 1972, representing the people of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans Counties; and
Whereas, from 1969 to 1972, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. served as Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
Whereas, from 1973 through 1974, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. served as a member of the Senate; and
Whereas, during his tenure in the General Assembly, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. made significant contributions to the State and the district he represented both as a member and as a leader of numerous legislative committees and commissions; and
Whereas, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. served as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Conference of State Legislative Leaders and as a member of the Governing Board for the Southern Conference of Council of State Governments; and
Whereas, in the years after his service in the General Assembly, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. served as a lobbyist and as a member of the North Carolina Board of Transportation; and
Whereas, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. was active in the Gatesville Baptist Church and the Gatesville Masonic Lodge No. 126; and
Whereas, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. served as a Trustee of Chowan College and Wake Forest University; and
Whereas, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving in the Pacific Theatre during World War II; and
Whereas, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. was a loving husband to his wife, Anita Thomas Freeman Godwin, and a caring father and grandfather; and
Whereas, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. died on December 12, 2001; and
Whereas, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. is survived by his son, Philip Pittman Godwin, Jr. and two grandchildren, Hannah Pittman Godwin and Philip Pittman Godwin, III; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly wishes to honor the life and memory of former member and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. and to express its sympathy to the family and friends of Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr. for the loss of a beloved family member.
SECTION 2.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Philip Pittman Godwin, Sr.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.