A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of anthony eden "tony" rand, former member of the general assembly.
Whereas, Anthony Eden "Tony" Rand was born on September 1, 1939, in Garner, North Carolina to Walter Rand, Jr., and Geneva Yeargan Rand; and
Whereas, Tony Rand graduated from Garner High School in 1957, then enrolled at the University of North Carolina, earning a BA degree in political science in 1961 and a JD degree in 1964; and
Whereas, Tony Rand had a distinguished career as a lawyer, practicing for over 55 years, first in Washington, D.C., and then in Raleigh before settling in Fayetteville in 1968; and
Whereas, Tony Rand was an active member of his community, serving on numerous boards and commissions, helping to build the Homeboys Condominiums, and supporting Fort Bragg; and
Whereas, Tony Rand served as consultant for Sonorex, Inc., and as in‑house counsel to Lithotripters, Inc., a Fayetteville health care company that brought cutting‑edge kidney stone treatment to the Southeast; and
Whereas, Tony Rand was appointed by Governor Jim Hunt to a vacancy in the North Carolina Senate in 1981 and he went on to serve more than 11 terms in the Senate from 1981‑1988 and 1995‑2009; and
Whereas, during his tenure in the Senate, Tony Rand served as Majority Leader from 1987 to 1988 and 2001 to 2009; Chair of Rules and Operations of the Senate; Co‑Chair of the Select Committee on Government and Election Reform; Vice‑Chair of Commerce, Small Business and Entrepreneurship; and as a member of numerous committees, including Appropriations/Base Budget; Appropriations on Justice and Public Safety; Education/Higher Education; Finance; Health Care; Judiciary I; and the Joint Select Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management Recovery; and
Whereas, Tony Rand focused on issues that benefited the State of North Carolina, particularly public education and economic development, and legislation that helped the City of Fayetteville, the University of North Carolina system, and the Law School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and
Whereas, during floor debates, Tony Rand was often awarded the "Oxmeter," which was given to a Senator who had become "intoxicated with the exuberance of their own verbosity"; and
Whereas, Tony Rand resigned from the General Assembly in 2009 and became Chair of the North Carolina Parole and Post‑Release Supervision Commission, serving in that position until 2014; and
Whereas, Tony Rand then served a term as an Associate Vice President at Fayetteville Technical Community College, where he coordinated the college's workforce development program; and
Whereas, Tony Rand also spent several years as a member and Chair of the North Carolina Lottery Commission; and
Whereas, Tony Rand made Blowing Rock his second home, becoming a member of the Blowing Rock Civic Association and Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce; and
Whereas, Tony Rand loved his alma mater and was an ardent supporter of his fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega, and the athletic teams at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served as President and Treasurer of the University's General Alumni Association and established, along with his brother, Walter Rand, a professorship at the University's Law School in his mother's name; and
Whereas, Tony Rand was awarded the William Richardson Davie Award from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in recognition of extraordinary service and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University's Law School. He also received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Fayetteville State University in 2000, Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2008, and Honorary Doctor of Humanities from Methodist University in 2008; and
Whereas, Tony Rand died on May 1, 2020, at the age of 80, after a long and distinguished career as a public servant and lawyer; and
Whereas, Tony Rand was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Walter Rand III; his sister, Mary Parker Rand; and his sister, Rhea Rand, who died in infancy; and
Whereas, Tony Rand is survived by his wife, Karen Skarda Rand; his children, Ripley Rand and Craven Rand; his grandchildren, Greene Rand and Arden Rand; and his sister, Josephine Rand; and
Whereas, all who knew Tony Rand will miss his great sense of humor, sharp legal mind, and devotion to North Carolina; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
SECTION 1.  The Senate honors the memory of Anthony Eden "Tony" Rand and expresses its appreciation for his achievements as a former member of the Senate and as a leader and citizen of this State.
SECTION 2.  The Senate extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Anthony Eden "Tony" Rand for the loss of a distinguished family member.
SECTION 3.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the family of Anthony Eden "Tony" Rand.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.