A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of luther Henry jordan, jr., former member of the general assembly.

Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. was born on June 1, 1950, in Harlem, New York, and was the son of the late Luther Henry Jordan, Sr. and Daisy Fields Jordan; and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1954; and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. graduated from New Hanover High School in 1969 and Gupton Jones College in 1972, and earned a BA degree from Shaw University in 1997; and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. joined the family's funeral home business and later served as President of Jordan's Funeral Home, Inc.; and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. showed a keen interest in public service throughout his life and at the age of 27 was appointed to the Wilmington City Council; and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. served on the City Council for 16 years during which time he also served as Mayor Pro‑Tempore, the first African‑American to serve in that position; and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. was elected to the North Carolina Senate in 1992 where he served with honor and distinction representing the people of Jones, Lenior, New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender Counties for five terms; and
Whereas, during his tenure in the Senate, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. made significant contributions as a member of numerous committees, including Commerce, Redistricting, Rules and Operations of the Senate, Pensions & Retirement and Aging, and Information Technology, and provided leadership as chair of the Committee on Transportation and of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Justice and Public Safety and vice‑chair of State and Local Government; and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. served as Majority Whip of the Senate from 1999 to 2002 and was chair of the Legislative Black Caucus from 2001 to 2002; and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. was a devoted and lifelong servant of his community serving many fraternal, civic, and social organizations, including the Shriners‑Habib Temple No. 159, the North Carolina Black Municipal Association, the Chamber of Commerce, the Omicron Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the Wilmington Consistory No. 63, the Wilmington Sportsman Club, and the East Coast Trail Riders; and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. found time to serve on numerous boards and commissions, including the Cape Fear Council Boys Scouts of American Executive Board, the Board of Directors of Sickle Cell Anemia, the Wachovia Board of Directors, Shaw University Board of Directors, the Board of Directors of the Girls Club, the Committee of 100/Regional Housing Board, and the Cape Fear District Funeral Directors Association, on which he served as vice‑president; and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. received many special awards and recognitions, including the Man of the Year Award from the Alumni of Winston‑Salem State University in 1992, Omega Psi Phi, 6th District Outstanding Service Award in 1988, Salute to Greatness Award from Shaw University in 1988, Citizen of the Year of New Hanover County/Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in 1981, and Outstanding Young Man of the Year from the United States Jaycees in 1981; and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. was honored by the City of Wilmington when the City proclaimed November 12‑18, 2001, as Luther H. Jordan, Jr. Week; and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan was active in the Chestnut Street Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, serving as an elder, a deacon, a trustee, and a member of the Men's Council; and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. was a man of quick wit and integrity who was genuinely interested in all the people of his community; and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. was an exceptional communicator, always taking time to listen and offering assistance whenever possible; and 
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. was a true "man of the people;" and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. was well liked and respected by all who knew him and will be sorely missed; and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. died on April 23, 2002; and
Whereas, Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. leaves to cherish his memory, his daughters Kisha Renee Jordan, Angela Rhodes, and Tamela Malloy, and three grandchildren; Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. and expresses the gratitude and appreciation of this State and its citizens for his life and service to his community and to the State of North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Luther Henry Jordan, Jr. for the loss of a beloved family member and a true friend.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Luther Henry Jordan, Jr.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 10th day of July, 2002.

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		 Beverly E. Perdue
	 President of the Senate

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		 James B. Black
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives