GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
S	1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1103

 
 
Sponsors:	Senators Clodfelter, Bingham, and Cunningham.	
Referred to:	Rules and Operations of the Senate.	
August 2, 2001

     
A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF STATE SENATOR JOHN W. THOMAS UPON THE ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOWN OF THOMASVILLE.

Whereas, John W. Thomas, a member of the State Senate in the 1800s, helped pioneer the construction of the first railroad across North Carolina by vigorously working to get the North Carolina Railroad Act enacted in the General Assembly; and
Whereas, in 1852, John W. Thomas purchased land in Davidson County on the adopted route of the railroad paving the way for the establishment of a new town; and
Whereas, the Town of Thomasville was incorporated by the General Assembly in 1857; and
Whereas, by the 1860s, the Town of Thomasville was flourishing due in part to the number of businesses that manufactured wooden household furniture; and
Whereas, the first chair factory in North Carolina was built in Thomasville; and
Whereas, the Town's leading manufacturer, Thomasville Furniture Industries, has made the name "Thomasville" famous around the world; and
Whereas, tourists are attracted to Thomasville because of the many products produced in the Town, the restored railroad station, which is the oldest still standing in North Carolina, and the "Chair of Thomasville", an 18‑foot chair on a 12‑foot base located in the center of downtown; and
Whereas, the Chair of Thomasville is a reproduction of a Duncan Phyfe dining room chair and serves as a symbol of and a salute to the local furniture industry; and
Whereas, Thomasville remains a center of furniture manufacturing in the world; and
Whereas, with a population of 20,000, Thomasville is one of North Carolina's leading municipalities; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of John W. Thomas for the valuable service he rendered North Carolina and for his vision in establishing the Town of Thomasville.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its sincere congratulations and best wishes to the Town of Thomasville upon its 150th anniversary and encourages the citizens of this State to actively take part in the Town's celebration.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Mayor of the Town of Thomasville.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.