GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1997 SESSION
RATIFIED BILL
RESOLUTION 15
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood was born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, on July 3, 1909, to James Hicks Greenwood and Louella Ray Greenwood; and
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood was a member of the first graduating class of Biltmore College, which later became the University of North Carolina at Asheville, graduating on May 30, 1930; and
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood attended North Carolina State University, where he played football for one year; and
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood received a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the University of Illinois in 1941, and continued his education at the University of London in 1945; and
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood married Garnet Elizabeth Carder on March 8, 1941; and
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood served in the United States Army from 1943 through 1945 in the European Theater of Operations as a psychologist in an army hospital's psychiatric unit; and
Whereas, in 1946, Gordon Hicks Greenwood and his wife, Garnet, bought and published the Black Mountain News, which he continued to operate until 1967; and
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood served as director of admissions and assistant to the President at Montreat College in Buncombe County from 1973 to 1976; and
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood also served as an assistant professor of journalism at Boston University and as the manager of the New England Press Association; and
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood rendered distinguished service to the State of North Carolina as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, serving from 1959 through 1966 and from 1972 through 1992; and
Whereas, the State's community college system owes tremendous gratitude to Gordon Hicks Greenwood who in 1963 introduced a bill that resulted in the creation of the State's community college system; and
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood was instrumental in establishing a State-owned cemetery for veterans in the Town of Black Mountain; and
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood's other political involvement included service on the Black Mountain Town Board and the Buncombe County Board of County Commissioners, of which he also served as chair; and
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood contributed to his community through his service on numerous civic, business, and veterans organizations, including the Black Mountain Lions Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the American Legion; and
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood was the original organizer of the Western North Carolina Development Association and served on the Board of Directors of the Asheville-Buncombe Technical College and of the University of North Carolina at Asheville; and
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood was an active member of the Black Mountain United Methodist Church, serving on the Official Board; and
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood received numerous awards and recognitions, including the North Carolina Commissioner of the Year in 1971, and the Outstanding Alumnus from the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 1981; and
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood died on February 16, 1997, at the age of 87, leaving two sons, G. Gordon Greenwood and Rick Greenwood, and three grandchildren; and
Whereas, Gordon Hicks Greenwood was a respected statesman, a devoted family man, and an individual highly dedicated to the advancement of his community; and
Whereas, the General Assembly, in warm memory and admiration, wishes to recognize the contributions of Gordon Hicks Greenwood to the well-being and betterment of Buncombe County, Western North Carolina, and the entire State;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1. The General Assembly honors the memory of Gordon Hicks Greenwood and expresses the deep gratitude and appreciation of this State and its citizens for his life and service to North Carolina.
Section 2. The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Gordon Hicks Greenwood for the loss of its distinguished member.
Section 3. The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Gordon Hicks Greenwood.
Section 4. This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 10th day of June, 1997.
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Dennis A. Wicker
President of the Senate
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Harold J. Brubaker
Speaker of the House of Representatives