GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1995 SESSION
RATIFIED BILL
RESOLUTION 21
Whereas, James Gordon Hanes, Jr., a native and lifelong resident of Winston-Salem, industrialist, legislator, philanthropist, and civic leader, died on August 31, 1995, at the age of 79; and
Whereas, in the passing of James Gordon Hanes, Jr., North Carolina and Forsyth County lost one of its most beloved and respected citizens; and
Whereas, James Gordon Hanes, Jr. was born on March 3, 1916, to James Gordon and Emmie Drewry Hanes; and
Whereas, James Gordon Hanes, Jr. graduated from Yale University in 1937, with a Bachelor of Arts degree; and
Whereas, James Gordon Hanes, Jr. began working at Hanes Hosiery Mills Company, the family-owned business, in 1939; and
Whereas, James Gordon Hanes, Jr. worked for the company for 40 years, retiring as Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Hanes Corporation, the parent company of P.H. Hanes Knitting Company and Hanes Hosiery Mills Company; and
Whereas, James Gordon Hanes, Jr. served with distinction as a member of the North Carolina State Senate for two terms during the 1963 and 1965 Sessions of the General Assembly; and
Whereas, during his tenure in the General Assembly, James Gordon Hanes, Jr. actively supported conservation and environmental protection issues and an increase in the minimum wage; and
Whereas, James Gordon Hanes, Jr. served his community, State, and country in many worthwhile capacities, devoting his time, talents, and energy on numerous boards, commissions, and committees on the local, State, and national levels; and
Whereas, many organizations including civic and cultural organizations, as well as underprivileged students, benefitted from James Gordon Hanes, Jr.'s great but humble philanthropy; and
Whereas, as a major benefactor of the North Carolina Museum of Art through his signal contributions of works of art to its galleries and also through his efforts to build the new facility for that museum, James Gordon Hanes, Jr. has graced the lives of generations yet unborn; and
Whereas, James Gordon Hanes, Jr. was an advocate of equal opportunity who sought to improve race relations; and
Whereas, James Gordon Hanes, Jr. was a devoted member of the Centenary United Methodist Church; and
Whereas, James Gordon Hanes, Jr. was respected, admired and loved by those who knew him and had the privilege to work with him; and
Whereas, James Gordon Hanes, Jr. is survived by his wife, Helen Greever Copenhaver Hanes, his daughter, Margaret Drewry Hanes Nostitz, two sons, James G. Hanes, III and Eldridge C. Hanes, and six grandchildren;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
Section 1. The General Assembly honors the life and memory of James Gordon Hanes, Jr. and expresses the deep gratitude and appreciation of this State and its citizens for his life and service.
Sec. 2. The General Assembly extends its sympathy to the family and friends of James Gordon Hanes, Jr.
Sec. 3. The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of James Gordon Hanes, Jr.
Sec. 4. This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 20th day of June, 1996.
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Dennis A. Wicker
President of the Senate
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Harold J. Brubaker
Speaker of the House of Representatives