GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
RATIFIED BILL

RESOLUTION 2001-30
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1102

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE FOUNDERS OF THE TOWN OF WINGATE ON THE TOWN'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY.

Whereas, the Town of Wingate, formerly known as "Ames Turnout", was established after the Carolina Central Railroad built tracks through a section of Union County east of Monroe; and
Whereas, the first building in the area was Meadow Branch Baptist Church (now Wingate Baptist), which was organized in 1810; and
Whereas, in 1876, the only structures in the community were the church and an old sawmill near the railroad, which was operated by W. Hamp Simpson; and
Whereas, in the late 1800s, W. Hamp Simpson built the first house in the community, and John Williams opened a store on the south side of the railroad; and
Whereas, in 1893, J. Lonnie Austin, W. M. Perry, and G. M. Stewart founded a long‑standing mercantile business; and
Whereas, in 1901, the Town of Wingate was incorporated by the General Assembly; and
Whereas, the Town took its name from the Wingate School, now Wingate University, which was authorized by the Union Baptist Association at its annual meeting in October of 1895; and
Whereas, J. Tom Lowery served as the Town's first mayor, and W. M. Perry, John W. Outen, and J. Lonnie Austin served as the Town's first commissioners; and 
Whereas, Ma‑Leck Woodcrafts, named for Leck and Mary Helms, was one of Union County's largest industries for a number of years; and
Whereas, in 1961 and 1970, the Town grew in size due to several annexations; and
Whereas, over the years, the Town of Wingate has had many well‑known visitors, including General George C. Patton, United States Secretary of State Madeline Albright, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annon, Head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Hugh Shelton, Great Britain's Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and the Dalai Llama; and
Whereas, the Town of Wingate has developed and prospered; and
Whereas, the 100th anniversary of the Town of Wingate is worthy of celebration and should be enjoyed and supported by all North Carolina citizens; Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the founders of the Town of Wingate and extends its sincere congratulations to the Town upon its 100th anniversary.
SECTION 2.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Mayor of the Town of Wingate.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 13th day of September, 2001.

	_____________________________________
		 Beverly E. Perdue
	 President of the Senate

	_____________________________________
		 James B. Black
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives