A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF BASCOM LAMAR LUNSFORD ON THE OCCASION OF THE SEVENTY‑FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE Mountain Dance and Folk FestiVAL.
Whereas, Bascom Lamar Lunsford preserved and promoted the Appalachian mountain traditions for generations of people, founding in 1928 the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in Asheville, North Carolina, an annual event that has shaped America's festival movement; and 
Whereas, Bascom Lamar Lunsford, a Western North Carolina native and long‑time resident of South Turkey Creek, visited cabins in the valleys and high tops across the Southern Appalachian mountains in search of the region's indigenous music and dance traditions; and
Whereas, Bascom Lamar Lunsford recorded these findings for Columbia University and the Library of Congress, thereby making these recorded collections among their largest and certainly most direct from the people of the Southern Appalachian region; and 
Whereas, Bascom Lamar Lunsford's vocations as a lawyer, public speaker, beekeeper, teacher, campaign manager, newspaper editor and more, positioned him well to promote the region's cultural heritage; and
Whereas, Bascom Lamar Lunsford, in 1928, collaborated with the Asheville Chamber of Commerce to present a festival of the region's traditional music and dance, known as the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival; and
Whereas, Bascom Lamar Lunsford was invited by President Franklin Roosevelt to the White House in 1939, along with the Soco Gap dance team, for a performance before the King and Queen of England on the eve of World War II as a gesture to emphasize the bonds of the American people with Great Britain – as the music and dancing of Southern Appalachia find its roots largely in the British Isle traditions; and
Whereas, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival has brought important recognition from outside the State and instilled pride within the region for the unique cultural heritage of the Southern Appalachian mountains; and
Whereas, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, in its 75 years, has brought hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world to Western North Carolina to experience this unique cultural heritage, creating economic impacts throughout the region; and 
Whereas, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival has served as a model for the establishment of folk festivals around the United States, for many of which Bascom Lamar Lunsford served as a consultant; and 
Whereas, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival continues to have a major regional cultural impact, continuing its important role in the perpetuation of Southern Appalachian music and dance traditions, presenting hundreds of artists each year to new audiences; and 
Whereas, Bascom Lamar Lunsford and the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival have brought awareness of the value and vitality of the mountain heritage, and its crucial role in our society; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly expresses high esteem, regard, and deep appreciation for the life, accomplishments, and leadership of Bascom Lamar Lunsford and acknowledges with gratitude the importance of continuing his legacy of preserving and promoting the unique cultural heritage of the Southern Appalachian mountains.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly congratulates the Folk Heritage Committee for continuing Bascom Lamar Lunsford's vision and fulfilling the committee's mission of producing the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival and Shindig on the Green series in an effort to support the preservation and continuation of the music and dance heritage of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The General Assembly further congratulates the committee members for being good stewards of these traditions as they embark on the 75th anniversary of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in August of 2002.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Bascom Lamar Lunsford and to the Folk Heritage Committee.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.