A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of ralph a. hunt, sr., former member of the general assembly.

Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., was born on April 10, 1932, in Oxford, North Carolina, to Johnnie and Amanda Harris Hunt; and
Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., attended Granville County public schools and graduated from Mary Potter High School in 1950; and
Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 and was honorably discharged as a Corporal in 1955; and
Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Johnson C. Smith University in 1956 and later obtained a Master's Degree in Mathematics Education from North Carolina Central University; and
Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., worked as a mathematician at Wright's Aircraft Company in Newark, New Jersey, before returning to Oxford, where he taught at Mary Potter High School from 1957 until 1964; and
Whereas, during his tenure at Mary Potter High School, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., served as chair of the Granville County Citizens League, which was involved with various civil rights issues; and
Whereas, after a brief time living in Washington, D.C., Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., moved to Durham, North Carolina, where he taught at Hillside High School from 1965 to 1968; and
Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., worked at North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company as a computer programmer from 1968 to 1970 and then served as Executive Director of the Durham Business and Professional Chain from 1970 to 1982; and
Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., became a private business owner in 1982 and opened a number of convenience stores in Durham and Oxford; and
Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., also obtained a real estate broker's license and served as an auctioneer; and
Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., was elected to the Durham City Council to represent Ward 3 in 1975 and was one of only two African‑Americans serving at that time; and
Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., was a member of the Durham City Council until 1985, during which time he served as Mayor Pro Tempore. He was known as a "consensus builder" because he always found a way to persuade people to come together; and
Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., served with honor and distinction in the General Assembly as a State Senator for four terms between 1985 and 1992, during which time he was a trusted colleague and leader, serving as Chair of the Finance Committee, Majority Whip, and a member of the Joint Legislative Commission on Government Operations; and
Whereas, Governor James B. Hunt appointed Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., to the State Utilities Commission for a term from 1993 to 2001; and
Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., returned to the State Senate in 2004, filling the remainder of former Senator Wib Gulley's term until 2005; and
Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., served as Chair of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People from 2014 to 2016 and was a tireless advocate for all people irrespective of race, gender, class, or religion; and
Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., was a member of Sigma Pi Phi and the Durham Graduate Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and was named "Kappa Man of the Year" for 1977‑1978; and
Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., was the recipient of the State's highest honor, the "Order of the Long Leaf Pine"; and
Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., died on May 16, 2017, at the age of 85; and
Whereas, Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., is survived by the love of his life, Rebecca Cooke Hunt; son Ralph Hunt, Jr., and wife, Anita; son, Reginald Hunt and wife, Krista; daughter, Regina Greene and husband Keith; grandchildren, Ralph Hunt, III, Lauren Hunt, Nijel Hunt, Ryan Hunt, Sydney Greene, and Tyler Greene; and his brother, Talmadge Hunt; Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., and expresses its appreciation for the service he rendered his community, State, and nation.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Ralph A. Hunt, Sr., for the loss of a beloved family member.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Ralph A. Hunt, Sr.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 22nd day of June, 2017.

	s/	 Daniel J. Forest
	 President of the Senate

	s/	 Tim Moore
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives