A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF DOUGLAS YATES YONGUE, FORMER MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Whereas, Douglas Yates Yongue was born March 20, 1937, in Lumberton, North Carolina, to Robert Eugene Yongue, Jr., and Elizabeth Gibson Yongue; and
Whereas, Doug Yongue graduated from Laurinburg High School in 1955, then furthered his education by attending Edwards Military Institute, where he received an associate degree in 1957, and East Carolina University, where he earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Industrial Arts in 1959 and a master's degree in Industrial Arts and Administration in 1960. He later obtained a Ph.D. in Education from Nova University in 1986; and
Whereas, Doug Yongue served as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent for 33 years. He was also a real estate agent and a licensed contractor who built and renovated many homes in Scotland County and other nearby communities; and
Whereas, Doug Yongue was an accomplished woodworker, who spent many hours in his workshop building furniture, cutting boards, wine racks, quilt racks, and many other quality items; and
Whereas, Doug Yongue was appointed to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1994 and went on to serve with honor and distinction for eight terms until 2011. He was a member of numerous committees, including Education, Ethics, Rules, and Appropriations, of which he served as cochair; and
Whereas, during his tenure in the legislature, Doug Yongue focused on issues relating to education and was especially supportive of legislation that helped improve educational opportunities for students in rural areas of the State. He worked with members on both sides of the aisle to help improve the State's education laws and, at one time, set up a meeting space outside of his office to provide a place, during legislative sessions, for lobbyists and other stakeholders to gather and discuss education issues; and
Whereas, Doug Yongue was actively engaged with the Public School Forum of North Carolina, serving many years on its Board of Directors and Executive Committee; and
Whereas, after retiring from the General Assembly, Doug Yongue, a humble, kind man who valued his relationships with people, kept in touch with friends in Laurinburg, Raleigh, and Washington, D.C., and participated in events in those places as often as he could; and
Whereas, Doug Yongue served his community and the State in many other capacities, including serving as a member of the Lumberton and Laurinburg Rotary Clubs, Phi Delta Kappa, United Methodist Men, Southeastern Regional Education Board, North Carolina Home Builders Association, Board of Trustees of Robeson Community College, Southeastern Cancer Institute Board of Trustees, and Scotland County Democratic Party, of which he was chair; and
Whereas, Doug Yongue received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award from St. Andrews Presbyterian College in 2009, Distinguished Friend of Education from the North Carolina State Board of Education in 2008, and Champion for Children from the North Carolina Association of School Administrators in 2007; and
Whereas, Doug Yongue, a devout member of the Methodist faith, served as a charter member of Saint Luke United Methodist Church in Laurinburg; and
Whereas, Doug Yongue had such a great love for and dedication to his dogs, a Dalmatian named Sparky and a Doberman named Doby, that he had special license plates made for his vehicles with the inscriptions "Doby 1" and "Doby 2," and he often took Doby for rides around town; and
Whereas, Doug Yongue died on March 21, 2019, at the age of 82; and
Whereas, Doug Yongue is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mildred Hurley Yongue, and two children, Douglas Yongue, Jr., and Beth Yongue; and
Whereas, Doug Yongue will always be remembered for his statesmanship, integrity, kindness, hard work, generosity, commitment to education issues, and his deep and unabiding love for his family and friends. He was admired, respected, and loved by those who knew him and had the privilege to work with him; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Douglas Yates Yongue, former member of the House of Representatives, and expresses its appreciation and admiration for his life of service to the people of Hoke, Robeson, and Scotland Counties and to the State of North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Douglas Yates Yongue 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 Douglas Yates Yongue.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.