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(patriotic orchestral music)
♪
(room chatter)
(room chatter)
(room chatter)
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[bangs gavel]
(room chatter)
>> WELCOME, EVERYBODY.
THIS BEING THE TIME AND PLACE
ESTABLISHED BY GENERAL STATUTE
120-11.1 FOR THE CONVENING OF
THE 2017 SESSION OF THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA, THE
SENATE WILL BE IN ORDER.
THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS OF THE 2015
SESSION WILL CLEAR THE AISLES
AND CLOSE THE DOORS.
SENATORS-ELECT AND GUESTS,
PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS.
THE CHAIR TAKES GREAT PLEASURE
IN EXTENDING COURTESIES OF THE
FLOOR TO THE FAMILIES AND GUESTS
OF OUR SENATORS AND OUR
SENATORS-ELECT.
COURTESIES OF THE GALLERY ARE
EXTENDED TO ALL VISITORS PRESENT
TOY, AND WE INVITE YOU TO
RETURN AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY.
AND A VERY SPECIAL COURTESY IS
EXTENDED TO MY FAMILY, MY WIFE,
ALICE, AND TWO OF MY CHILDREN,
JAKE AND OLIVIA.
THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO
REMIND SENATORS-ELECT AND GUESTS
TO PLEASE SILENCE ALL OF YOUR
ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING THESE
PROCEEDINGS.
THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS IS
RECOGNIZED.
>> MR. PRESIDENT, THE HONORABLE
MARK MARTIN, CHIEF JUSTICE OF
THE NORTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT
AND THE HONORABLE PHILIP BERGER
ARE AT THE DOOR AND AWAIT YOUR
DIRECTION.
>> PLEASE OPEN THE DOOR.
ALL MEMBERS AND GUESTS WILL
PLEASE STAND.
[APPLAUSE]
>> CHIEF JUSTICE MARTIN AND
JUDGE BERGER, THE SENATE
WELCOMES YOU INTO ITS CHAMBER.
WE'RE HAPPEN TO EXTEND
COURTESIES OF THE FLOOR TO YOU.
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS IS RECOGNIZED.
>> MR. PRESIDENT, MISS EMILY
BERGER AND HER FATHER, KEVIN
BERGER, ARE AT THE DOOR AND
AWAIT YOUR DIRECTION.
>> SERGEANT-AT-ARMS WILL OPEN
THE DOORS AND ESCORT MISS EMILY
BERGER AND HER FATHER, KEVIN, TO
THE WELL OF THE CHAMBER.
[APPLAUSE]
>> WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER, MISS
BERGER.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR PARTICIPATION
IN THE CEREMONIES TODAY.
ALL SENATORS-ELECT AND GUESTS IN
THE CHAMBER AND GALLERY, YOU'RE
ALREADY STANDING, BUT IF YOU'RE
NOT, PLEASE RISE FOR THE PRAYER.
LEADING US IN PRAYER AS WE BEGIN
IN 2017 SESSION OF THE NORTH
CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS
MR. KENNY JONES OF CAPITAL
COMMUNITY CHURCH.
>> BOW YOUR HEADS AND LETS PRAY.
DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU
FOR YOUR SUFFICIENT GRACE AND
ALLOWING US TO BE PART OF THIS
DAY.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE STRENGTH
AND KNOWLEDGE YOU PROVIDE FOR
EACH OF US IN ORDER FOR OUR
LORDS TO BE FULL OF YOUR GLORY.
WE PLEAD FOR YOUR MIGHTY HAND.
I PRAY FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE
SENATE BODY AS THEY EMBARK ON A
NEW LEGISLATIVE YEAR AND HUMBLY
ASK FOR YOUR HELP BY GIVING YOUR
WISDOM AND GUIDANCE ON ALL
MATTERS REGARDING LEGISLATION
FOR NORTH CAROLINA.
FATHER, YOUR WORDS SAYS IN
PROVERBS IF YOU CALL OUT FOR
INSIGHT AND RAISE YOUR VOICE FOR
UNDERSTANDING, IF YOU SEEK IT
LIKE SILVER AND SEARCH FOR IT AS
FOR HIDDEN TREASURES, THEN
YOU'LL UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF
THE LORD.
AND, FATHER, WE ALSO KNOW
ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD AND WE
ASK THAT YOU GIVE IT UPON EACH
MEMBER TO KNOW WISDOM AND
INSTRUCTION, TO UNDERSTAND WORDS
OF INSIGHT, TO RECEIVE
INSTRUCTION AND WISE DEALING
RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND JUSTICE.
SERVE HUMBLY AND REMEMBER YOUR
FAVOR AND ALLOW THEM TO BE
MEMBERS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA
SENATE.
FATHER, I DO PRAY FOR THE
FAMILIES.
THEY WILL HAVE THE STRENGTH,
LOVE AND PROTECTION AS THEY
SERVE ALONGSIDE.
WE PRAY THESE THINGS IN YOUR SON
JESUS' NAME.
AMEN.
>> SERGEANT-AT-ARMS IS
RECOGNIZED.
>> MR. PRESIDENT, THE ARMY
JUNIOR ROTC COLOR GUARD OF JOHN
MOTLEY MOREHEAD HIGH SCHOOL FROM
EDEN, NORTH CAROLINA, IS AT THE
DOOR TO PRESENT THE COLORS AND
AWAITS YOUR INSTRUCTION.
>> SERGEANT-AT-ARMS WILL OPEN
THE DOORS FOR THE ARMY JUNIOR
ROTC CADETS FROM JOHN MOTLEY
MOREHEAD HIGH SCHOOL IN EDEN,
NORTH CAROLINA.
>> [OFF MICROPHONE]
>> PERMISSION IS GRANTED.
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE
FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR
WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION
UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH
LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
♪ O SAY CAN YOU SEE ♪
♪ BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT ♪
♪ WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED ♪
♪ AT THE TWILIGHT'S LAST
GLEAMING ♪
♪ WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT
STARS ♪
♪ THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT ♪
♪ O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED ♪
♪ WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING ♪
♪ AND THE ROCKETS' RED GLARE ♪
♪ THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR ♪
♪ GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT ♪
♪ THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL
THERE ♪
♪ O SAY DOES THAT STAR-SPANGLED
BANNER YET WAVE ♪
♪ FOR THE LAND OF THE FREE ♪
♪ AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE ♪♪♪
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> EMILY, THAT WAS WONDERFUL!
EMILY'S 8 YEARS OLD, EVERYBODY.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, EMILY.
COLOR GUARD, THANK YOU FOR
JOINING US AS WELL AND BEING
PART OF THIS CEREMONY.
THE COLOR GUARD IS DISMISSED,
AND MISS EMILY BERGER IS
DISMISSED AS WELL.
YOU MAY BE SEATED.
THE CLERK WILL NOW READ THE
CERTIFICATION OF ELECTIONS
RECEIVED FROM THE SECRETARY OF
STATE, THE HONORABLE ELAINE
MARSHALL, AND CALL THE ROLL OF
THE SENATORS-ELECT BY DISTRICT.
WHEN YOUR NAME IS CALLED, PLEASE
ANSWER PRESENT AND REMAIN
STANDING.
THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL.
>> THE 2017 NORTH CAROLINA
SENATE, I, ELAINE MARSHALL,
SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE
OF NORTH CAROLINA, DO HERE BY
CERTIFY THAT THE STATE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS MET FRIDAY, THE 9th
DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D., 2016, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 123 OF
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY STATUTES OF
NORTH CAROLINA AT WHICH TIME THE
BOARD DID OPEN AND JUDICIALLY
DETERMINE THE RETURNS OF VOTES
CAST IN THE ELECTION HELD ON
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8th, 2016.
AND CERTIFIED TO ME THE PERSONS
DULY ELECTED AS MEMBERS OF THE
SENATE FROM THE VARIOUS SENATE
DISTRICTS COMPRISING OF MORE
THAN ONE COUNTY AND ALL OTHERS
HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED TO ME IN THE
ABSTRACT OF THE STATE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS AS HAVING THE HIGHEST
NUMBER OF VOTES CAST IN THE
ELECTIONS IN DISTRICTS COMPOSED
OF ONE COUNTY ONLY FOR THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF 2017 TO WITH
IT: FIRST, BILL COOK.
>> PRESENT.
>> 2nd, NORMAN SANDERSON.
>> PRESENT.
>> 3rd, ERICA SMITH-INGRAM.
>> PRESENT.
>> 4th, ANGELA R. BRYANT.
>> PRESENT.
>> 5th, DON DAVIS.
>> PRESENT.
>> 6th, HARRY BROWN.
>> PRESENT.
>> 7th, LOUIS M. PATE JR.
>> PRESENT.
>> 8 THEIR, BILL RABON.
>> PRESENT.
>> 9 THEIR, MICHAEL LEE.
>> PRESENT.
>> 10th, BRENT JACKSON.
>> PRESENT.
>> 11th, RICK HORNER.
>> PRESENT.
>> 12th, RONALD RABIN.
>> PRESENT.
>> 13th, DANNY EARL J.R. BRITT.
>> PRESENT.
>> 14th, DAN BLUE.
>> PRESENT.
>> 15th, JOHN ALEXANDER.
>> PRESENT.
>> 16th, JAY CHAUDHURI.
>> PRESENT.
>> 17th, TAMARA BARRINGER.
>> PRESENT.
>> 18th, CHAD BAREFOOT.
>> PRESENT.
>> 19th, WESLEY MEREDITH.
>> PRESENT.
>> 20th, FLOYD B. McKISSICK, JR.
>> PRESENT.
>> 21st, BEN CLARK.
>> PRESENT.
>> 22nd, MIKE WOODARD.
>> PRESENT.
>> 23rd, VALERIE P. FOUSHEE.
>> PRESENT.
>> 24th, RICK GUNN.
>> PRESENT.
>> 25th, TOM McINNIS.
>> PRESENT.
>> 26th, PHILIP B. PHIL BERGER.
>> PRESENT.
>> 27th, TRUDY WADE.
>> PRESENT.
>> 28th, GLADYS A. ROBINSON.
>> PRESENT.
>> 29th, JERRY W. TILLMAN.
>> PRESENT.
>> 30th, SHIRLEY BLACKBURN
RANDLEMAN.
>> PRESENT.
>> 31st, JOYCE KRAWIEC.
>> PRESENT.
>> 32nd, PAUL LOWE JR.
>> PRESENT.
>> 33rd, CATHY DUN.
>> PRESENT.
>> 34th, ANDREW BROCK.
>> PRESENT.
>> 35th TOMMY TUCKER.
>> PRESENT.
>> 36th, PAUL NEWTON.
>> PRESENT.
>> 37th JEFF JACKSON.
>> PRESENT.
>> 38th DOLE D.M. FORD.
>> PRESENT.
>> 39th DAN BISHOP.
>> PRESENT.
>> 40th, JOYCE WADDELL.
>> PRESENT.
>> 41st, JEFF TARTE.
>> PRESENT.
>> 42nd, ANDY WELLS.
>> PRESENT.
>> 43rd, KATHY HARRINGTON.
>> PRESENT.
>> 44th, DAVID L. CURTIS.
>> PRESENT.
>> 45th, DEANNA BALLARD.
>> PRESENT.
>> 46th, WARREN DANIEL.
>> PRESENT.
>> 47th, RALPH HISE.
>> PRESENT.
>> 48th, CHUCK EDWARDS.
>> PRESENT.
>> 49th, TERRY VAN DUYN.
>> PRESENT.
>> 50th, JIM DAVIS.
>> PRESENT.
>> IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I HAVE
AFFIXED MY HAND AND AFFIXED MY
OFFICIAL SEAL, ELAINE MARSHALL,
SECRETARY OF STATE.
>> SENATORS-ELECT, YOU WILL FIND
YOUR HOLY BOOK ON YOUR DESK.
SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE YOUR
PERSONAL VOLUME.
AT THIS TIME, THE CHAIR WILL
INVITE YOUR SPOUSE OR GUEST TO
STAND WITH YOU AS YOU TAKE YOUR
OATH OF OFFICE.
THE OATH OF OFFICE WILL BE
ADMINISTERED TO THE
SENATORS-ELECT BY THE HONORABLE
MARK MARTIN, CHIEF JUSTICE OF
THE SUPREME COURT OF NORTH
CAROLINA.
>> PLEASE PLACE YOUR LEFT HAND
ON YOUR BIBLE AND RAISE YOUR
RIGHT HAND.
DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM
THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE
UNITED STATES, AND DO YOU
SOLEMNLY AND SINCERELY SWEAR OR
AFFIRM THAT YOU WILL BE FAITHFUL
AND BEAR TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO THE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND TO
THE CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS AND
AUTHORITIES WHICH ARE OR MAY BE
ESTABLISHED FOR THE GOVERNMENT
THEREOF, AND THAT YOU WILL
ENDEAVOR TO SUPPORT, MAINTAIN
THE CONSTITUTION OF SAID STATE
NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES TO THE BEST OF YOUR
KNOWLEDGE OR ABILITY, AND DO YOU
SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT
YOU WILL DISCHARGE YOUR DUTIES
OF YOUR OFFICE AS A MEMBER OF
THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NORTH
CAROLINA TO THE BEST OF YOUR
ABILITY, SO HELP YOU GOD.
>> [CHORUS OF I DO'S]
>> CONGRATULATIONS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> CONGRATULATIONS, SENATORS,
YOU CAN BE SEATED ALONG WITH
YOUR GUESTS.
50 SENATORS BEING PRESENT,
HAVING TAKEN THE OATH OF OFFICE,
I DECLARE A QUORUM PRESENT AND
QUALIFIED.
THE SENATE WILL NOW PROCEED WITH
THE ELECTION OF A PRESIDENT PRO
TEM AS ESTABLISHED BY THE
CONSTITUTION OF NORTH CAROLINA
WHO SHALL SERVE UNTIL THE
EXPIRATION OF THE TERM OF OFFICE
AS SENATOR.
THE CHAIR DECLARES NOMINATIONS
ARE IN ORDER FOR THE OFFICE OF
PRESIDENT PRO TEM FOR THE 2017
SENATOR.
SENATOR BROWN, FOR WHAT PURPOSE
DO YOU RISE?
>> TO MAKE A NOMINATION.
>> SENATOR BROWN, YOU HAVE THE
FLOOR.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
MEMBERS, SENATOR PHIL BERGER HAS
BEEN THE PRO TEM OF THE SENATE
FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS.
HE HAS SERVED THIS BODY FOR THE
PAST 16 YEARS.
SENATOR BERGER HAS SERVED IN
THAT CAPACITY, I THINK, WITH
DISTINCTION AND HONOR.
I THINK HE HAS SERVED IN A WAY
THAT HE HAS ALLOWED FULL DEBATE
ON THE SENATE FLOOR.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S EVER BEEN
A TIME THAT -- SINCE SENATOR
BERGER'S CALLED THE QUESTION.
HE'S ALLOWED FULL DEBATE EACH
AND EVERY TIME.
SENATOR BERGER, AS YOU CAN TELL,
HAS A GREAT FAMIY.
HE'S AN ESTABLISHED ATTORNEY IN
EDEN, NORTH CAROLINA.
HE'S A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE.
AND HE HAS SERVED, I THINK, THIS
BODY WITH DISTINCTION AND HONOR.
AND HAVING SAID THAT,
MR. PRESIDENT, I NOMINATE PHIL
BERGER TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT PRO
TEMPORE OF THE 2017 SENATE.
>> SENATOR RABON, FOR WHAT
PURPOSE DO YOU RISE?
>> MR. PRESIDENT, IT'S A GREAT
HONOR THAT I RISE TO SECOND THE
NOMINATION OF SENATOR PHIL
BERGER AS PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF
THE 2017 NORTH CAROLINA SENATE.
SENATOR BROWN PRETTY WELL SUMMED
IT UP.
I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT
MENTION THAT I HAVE ENJOYED AND
WE HAVE ALL ENJOYED THE
LEADERSHIP OF SENATOR BERGER,
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO FOLLOWING
THAT LEADERSHIP INTO THE
SUNLIGHT OF THE NEXT BIENNIUM.
AND I WOULD FURTHER MOVE THAT
THE NOMINATIONS BE CLOSED AND
ACCEPTED BY ACCLAMATION.
>> FOR WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU RISE?
>> TO SECOND THE MOTION.
>> SENATOR TUCKER SECONDS THE
MOTION.
THE MOTION IS THAT NOMINATIONS
BE CLOSED AND THE NOMINATION OF
SENATOR PHIL BERGER AS PRESIDENT
PRO TEM BE ACCEPTED BY
ACCLAMATION.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION OR
DEBATE?
IF NOT, THOSE IN FAVOR WILL SAY
AYE.
OPPOSED NO.
THE AYES HAVE IT.
THE CHAIR DECLARES SENATOR PHIL
BERGER UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED TO
THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT PRO TEM
OF THE 2017 SENATE.
SENATOR BROWN, SENATOR BLUE,
SENATOR TUCKER, AND SENATOR
RANDLEMAN ARE APPOINTED AS A
COMMITTEE TO ESCORT PHIL BERGER
TO THE WELL OF THE SENATE TO
RECEIVE HIS OATH OF OFFICE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> MR. PRESIDENT, WE PRESENT
PRESIDENT PRO TEM-ELECT OF 2017
SESSION, SENATOR PHIL BERGER.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU, SENATOR BROWN.
THE ESCORT COMMITTEE MAY RETURN
TO THEIR SEATS.
THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS MAY ESCORT
SENATOR BERGER'S WIFE PAT TO
STAND WITH THE PRESIDENT PRO
TEM-ELECT.
THE HONORABLE PHILIP BERGER JR.,
JUDGE OF THE NORTH CAROLINA
COURT OF APPEALS, WILL
ADMINISTER THE OATH.
>> DO YOU, PHIL BERGER, SOLEMNLY
SWEAR THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE
UNITED STATES SO HELP YOU GOD?
DO YOU SOLEMNLY AND SINCERELY
SWEAR THAT YOU WILL BE FAITHFUL
AND BEAR TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO THE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND THE
CONSTITUTIONAL POWER WHICH MAY
BE ESTABLISHED FOR THE
GOVERNMENT THEREOF AND WILL YOU
ENDEAVOR TO SUPPORT, MAINTAIN
AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND
LAWS OF SAID STATE NOT
INCONSISTENT WITH THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES TO THE BEST OF YOUR
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY?
DO YOU SOLEMNLY AND SINCERELY
SWEAR THAT YOU WILL FAITHFULLY
DISCHARGE YOUR DUTIES AS
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE
2017 GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE
BEST OF YOUR SKILL AND ABILITY,
SO HELP YOU GOD?
>> I DO, SO HELP ME GOD.
[APPLAUSE]
>> CONGRATULATIONS, SENATOR
BERGER.
THE CHAIR HAS THE GREAT HONOR OF
RECOGNIZING YOU TO ADDRESS THE
SENATE AND OUR GUESTS.
MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND
GUESTS, PLEASE BE SEATED.
>> THEY REALLY GRAB YOU AND PULL
YOU OUT THE BACK WAY AND YOU
DON'T KNOW FOR SURE THAT
EVERYTHING TURNS OUT OKAY UNTIL
THEY OPEN THE DOORS.
SO I WANT TO THANK THE MEMBERS
FOR THE CONFIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE
PLACED IN ME, AND I CAN PROMISE
YOU I WILL DO THE BEST JOB THAT
I CAN.
AS FORMER SENATOR APODACA WOULD
SAY, THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS AND
THE BAD NEWS.
I THANK EVERYONE IN THE CHAMBER
FOR THE WARM WELCOME, AND I'M
LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
EACH AND EVERY MEMBER OF THE
NORTH CAROLINA SENATE IN THE
UPCOMING SESSION AND OVER THE
NEXT TWO YEARS.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO
RECOGNIZE A FEW PEOPLE WHO ARE
WITH US TODAY, AND I THINK
YOU'VE HEARD THEIR NAMES SEVERAL
TIMES.
FIRST, MY FAMILY.
MY WIFE, PAT, MY SONS, PHIL JR.
AND KEVIN, MY DAUGHTER ASHLEY,
KEVIN'S WIFE AMBER, ASHLEY'S
HUSBAND JOSH, AND MY
GRANDCHILDREN, PHILIP III, WIL,
JACKSON, AND EMILY.
EMILY JUST MADE ME SO PROUD WHEN
SHE SANG THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.
AND I HOPE YOU WILL GIVE ME THAT
MOMENT TO FAVOR THAT.
SO THANK YOU, EMILY.
THE UNWAVERING SUPPORT OF MY
FAMILY AND I KNOW FOR EVERYBODY
IN THIS CHAMBER, FOR YOUR
FAMILY, IS A CRITICAL PART OF
OUR ABILITY TO DO WHAT WE DO
HERE IN THE NORTH CAROLINA
SENATE.
I WANT TO THANK NORTH CAROLINA
SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE MARK
MARTIN FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE
CEREMONY, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
DAN FOREST, THANK YOU FOR
PRESIDING AND FOR WHAT YOU DO
FOR US EVERY DAY IN HELPING US
WITH THE DEBATE AND MOVING
THINGS ALONG.
AND I WANT TO THANK THE ARMY
JROTC.
THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THIS
CEREMONY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS
FOR US.
IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE THEM
HERE AND TO REALLY SEE THE YOUNG
PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE COMING ALONG
THAT ONE DAY WILL BE TAKING THE
PLACE OF US OLDER FOLKS HERE IN
THE CHAMBER.
TODAY IS A DAY TO CELEBRATE THE
CALL TO PUBLIC SERVICE.
AFTER REVIEWING YOUR PLATFORM,
AFTER LISTENING TO WHAT YOU HAVE
TO SAY, AFTER ASKING YOU ALL
SORTS OF QUESTIONS, MILLIONS OF
PEOPLE IN NORTH CAROLINA WENT TO
THE POLLS THIS PAST NOVEMBER AND
ELECTED THE MEMBERS OF THIS
CHAMBER TO REPRESENT THEIR
COMMUNITIES AND TO BE THEIR
VOICE IN STATE GOVERNMENT.
WITH THAT COMES TREMENDOUS
RESPONSIBILITY.
AND WITH THAT COMES A DUTY TO
WORK HARD AND REMAIN FOCUSED ON
FULFILLING THE PROMISES THAT YOU
MADE.
AND, BOY, I CAN TELL YOU, YOU
ARE GOING TO WORK HARD TH
SESSION.
WHILE WE ARE TECHNICALLY A
PART-TIME LEGISLATURE, YOU ALL
KNOW, OR IF YOU DON'T KNOW, YOU
WILL FIND OUT, THAT THERE IS
NOTHING PART-TIME ABOUT BEING A
STATE SENATOR.
IT WILL REQUIRE A STEADFAST
COMMITMENT TO PUT THE BEST
INTERESTS OF YOUR NEIGHBORS,
YOUR COMMUNITY, AND YOUR STATE
ABOVE YOURSELF.
YOU WILL DEVOTE LONG, SOMETIMES
DIFFICULT HOURS AT THE
LEGISLATURE MOST DAYS FOR THE
NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, AWAY FROM
YOUR FAMILIES, AWAY FROM YOUR
NEIGHBORS, AND AWAY FROM THE
COMFORTS OF YOUR HOME.
FOR MOST OF YOU, YOU WILL
SOMEHOW HAVE TO FIND TIME TO
FULFILL THE OBLIGATIONS OF YOUR
REGULAR FULL-TIME JOB IN ORDER
TO SUPPORT YOUR FAMILY.
AND WHEN YOU FINALLY REACH THE
END OF YOUR WORKWEEK HERE, YOU
WILL LIKELY SPEND YOUR WEEKENDS
ENGAGED IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
AND ATTENDING CIVIC EVENTS IN
YOUR DISTRICT.
THERE WILL BE LITTLE TO NO TIME
FOR REST.
LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE
ALL OF THIS POSSIBLE, TO THE
FAMILIES OF OUR MEMBERS, WHETHER
YOU'RE ON THE FLOOR OR WHETHER
YOU'RE IN THE GALLERY.
THE SACRIFICES YOU MAKE IN
SHARING YOUR LOVED ONES FOR
COUNTLESS HOURS EVERY WEEK DOES
NOT GO UNNOTICED.
WITHOUT A STRONG SUPPORT NETWORK
AT HOME, OUR MEMBERS SIMPLY
COULD NOT DO WHAT THEY DO.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION
TO THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
THERE'S NO QUESTION IT TAKES A
SPECIAL GROUP OF PEOPLE, A
SPECIAL GROUP OF PEOPLE, AND
I'LL LEAVE IT TO YOU TO DEFINE
SPECIAL, TO SIGN UP FOR THIS
JOB.
IT'S WORTH IT IN THE END,
HOWEVER, AND LET ME SHARE MY
PERSPECTIVE AS TO WHY IN SPITE
OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE,
PARTICULARLY THE PERSONAL
CHALLENGES, SO MANY CONTINUE TO
SIGN UP FOR THIS WORK.
WE COME BACK BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN
THE FRUITS OF OUR EFFORTS.
WE KNOW WHAT IS DONE HERE CAN
MAKE A POSITIVE AND MEANINGFUL
DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR
FEDERAL -- SORRY -- OF OUR
FELLOW NORTH CAROLINIANS.
JUST SIX SHORT YEARS AGO, OUR
STATE FACED A DOUBLE-DIGIT
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, FIFTH HIGHEST
IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
NOW, DUE IN LARGE PART TO
DIFFICULT DECISIONS MADE BY THE
LEGISLATURE, OUR UNEMPLOYMENT
RATE HAS FALLEN IN HALF.
AND NORTH CAROLINA IS CREATING
JOBS FASTER THAN OTHER STATES.
NORTH CAROLINA ONCE STRUGGLED
WITH STAGNANT JOB GROWTH,
DECLINING FAMILY INCOMES.
NOW A THRIVING ECONOMY HAS
GENERATED MORE THAN 450,000 NEW
JOBS.
THE NUMBER OF WORKING NORTH
CAROLINIANS HAS SOARED TO
HISTORIC HIGHS.
AND MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN
NORTH CAROLINA HAS JUMPED BY
CLOSE TO $10,000 PER HOUSEHOLD.
OUR STATE AND ITS PRIVATE SECTOR
ECONOMIC ENGINE WAS ONCE
BURDENED WITH THE HIGHEST TAXES
IN THE SOUTHEAST AND ONE OF THE
WORST TAX CLIMATES IN THE
NATION.
NOW, AS A RESULT OF OUR
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED TAX CUTS
AND TAX REFORM, NORTH CAROLINA
BUSINESSES AND CITIZENS PAID
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS LESS IN
TAXES.
OUR STATE NOW BOASTS THE BEST
TAX CLIMATE IN THE REGION AND
THE 11th BEST TAX CLIMATE IN THE
NATION.
BUT THERE IS STILL MORE WORK TO
BE DONE.
WE WERE ONCE WEIGHED DOWN BY
RECORD BUDGET DEFICITS AND
BILLIONS OF DEBT TO THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.
NOW BALANCED BUDGETS AND
CONTROLLED SPENDING ALONG WITH A
GROWING ECONOMY HAVE YIELDED
CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF BUDGET
SURPLUSES.
OUR DEBT TO THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN PAID IN
FULL.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS WERE ONCE
STRUGGLING WITH DECLINING STATE
SUPPORT.
THOUSANDS OF STATE-FUNDED
TEACHERS POSITIONS WERE
ELIMINATED.
TEACHERS WERE FURLOUGH AND THEIR
PAY FROZEN.
NOW STATE FUNDING FOR OUR PUBLIC
SCHOOLS HAS REACHED RECORD
LEVELS.
AVERAGE TEACHER PAY HAS CLIMBED
ABOVE $50,000 FOR THE FIRST TIME
IN STATE HISTORY.
WHEN WE ASSUMED THE MAJORITY IN
JANUARY OF 2011, OUR STATE'S
RAINY DAY FUND WAS DEPLETED.
NOW AS WE SAW WITH THE SWIFT
RESPONSE TO RECENT NATURAL
DISASTERS, WE ARE WELL PREPARED
FOR EMERGENCIES AND DOWNTURNS
WITH MORE THAN $1.5 BILLION IN
THE STATE'S SAVINGS RESERVE.
THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT DUE TO
HARD WORK AND PERSEVERANCE OF
PUBLIC SERVANTS IN THIS BUILDING
AND THEIR SUPPORTIVE FAMILIES,
OUR STATE HAS MADE A DRAMATIC
TURNAROUND.
IT'S WORKING TOWARD THE KINDS OF
POSITIVE CHANGE THAT HELP MAKE
NORTH CAROLINA THE BEST STATE TO
BUILD A BUSINESS AND THE BEST
STATE TO LIVE AND RAISE A
FAMILY.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT BRINGS SO
MANY PEOPLE BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR
YEAR.
AND EVEN THOUGH OUR ROLES
DIFFER -- SORRY.
EVEN THOUGH OUR ROLE OFFERS THE
PRIVILEGE AND RESPONSIBILITY TO
IMPLEMENT BROAD POLICY CHANGES
THAT AFFECT MILLIONS, SOMETIMES
THE MOST REWARDING PART OF THE
JOB IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP
JUST ONE PERSON.
TO PROVIDE CONSTITUENT SERVICE
AND HELP OUR NEIGHBORS -- HELP
OUR NEIGHBORS SOLVE REAL-WORLD
PROBLEMS ONE AT A TIME.
BY HELPING CHILDREN GET TO THE
RIGHT SCHOOLS OR EDUCATIONAL
PROGRAMS TO MEET THEIR UNIQUE
NEEDS.
BY HELPING SICK CONSTITUENTS
CONTACT THE PROPER OFFICIALS TO
OBTAIN THE CARE THEY NEED.
BY HELPING FAMILIES PURSUING AN
ADOPTION CUT THROUGH GOVERNMENT
RED TAPE.
BY HELPING PEOPLE RESOLVE
DRAINAGE AND OTHER PROBLEMS
RESULTING FROM ROAD WORK ON OR
NEAR THEIR PROPERTIES.
AND BY EXPEDITING ASSISTANCE
FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH
V.A. ISSUES, PASSPORTS AND OTHER
NEEDS.
PERHAPS THERE'S NO BETTER
EXAMPLE OF THE PROBLEMS WE CAN
SOLVE WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER THAN
THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE
MATTHEW.
SENATOR FORD AND SENATOR
SMITH-INGRAM, JUST TO NAME A
COUPLE, I COMMEND YOUR EFFORTS
TO OFFER MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO
THOSE AFFECTED BY THE FLOODS.
WHAT MANY DON'T REALIZE, THE
LION'S SHARE OF WHAT WE WORK ON
IN THESE HALLS IS NOT
CONTROVERSIAL.
MOST LAWS PASS WITH OVERWHELMING
BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
NO MATTER WHAT OUR POLITICAL
PARTY, WE'RE ALL HERE BECAUSE WE
WANT TO HELP OUR STATE THRIVE,
AND FOR OUR CITIZENS TO REACH
THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
IT'S DISHEARTENING THAT SOME
ONLY WANT TO FOCUS ON WHAT
DIVIDES US, WHAT DRAWS IN THE
MOST CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS,
WHAT ATTRACTS THE MOST FREE
PRESS ATTENTION, WHAT IS
SENSATIONAL ENOUGH TO SELL THE
MOST NEWSPAPER AND TELEVISION
ADVERTISEMENTS.
MEMBERS, AS WE CONSIDER THE TASK
AHEAD AT THE START OF THIS
SESSION, LET US REMEMBER ALL
THAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH WHEN WE
WORK TOGETHER.
AND LET US REMEMBER THAT ALL --
ALL THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED AS WE
CONTINUE DOWN THIS NEW PATH FOR
OUR STATE AND LABOR TO FULFILL
THE PROMISES WE MADE TO OUR
CONSTITUENTS.
IN THE COMING SESSION, WE'LL
MAINTAIN THE BUDGETING AND
SPENDING DISCIPLINE AND THE
COMMITMENT TO PRO-GROWTH TAX
POLICIES THAT HAVE HELPED RETURN
OUR STATE TO GOOD FISCAL HEALTH.
LET ME BE CLEAR --
WE WILL NOT UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES RETURN TO THE
FAILED TAX AND SPEND POLICIES IN
THE PAST THAT GAVE US THE MESS
THAT WE HAD IN 2011.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR WAYS
TO REDUCE THE TAX BURDEN ON
FAMILIES, SMALL BUSINESSES, AND
OTHER JOB CREATORS, HELPING THEM
KEEP MORE OF THEIR OWN MONEY.
WE'LL CONTINUE EFFORTS TO REFORM
AND IMPROVE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR
OUR STUDENTS AND HAVE ALREADY
COMMITTED TO RAISING AVERAGE
TEACHER PAY TO $55,000 OVER THE
NEXT TWO YEARS.
WE'LL REMAIN FOCUSED ON
PROVIDING A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR
OUR CHILDREN AND HELPING BUILD A
CAPABLE WORKFORCE THAT WILL
ATTRACT BUSINESS TO THIS STATE.
WE'LL DO EVEN MORE TO SIMPLIFY
OUTDATED JOB-KILLING RULES AND
REGULATIONS AND FOSTER A BETTER
BUSINESS CLIMATE WITH THE GOAL
OF SUSTAINING NORTH CAROLINA'S
STRONG JOB GROWTH AND WE'LL
CONTINUE BUILDING STATE RESERVES
TO MAKE SURE THAT NORTH CAROLINA
IS WELL PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR
YOUR COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC
SERVICE AND TO THE STATE OF
NORTH CAROLINA, MAY WE ENJOY A
COLLEGIAL AND PRODUCTIVE
SESSION.
MAY WE COME TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE
POSITIVE AND LASTING CHANGE AND
MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THIS
BODY AND THE PEOPLE OF NORTH
CAROLINA.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU, SENATOR BERGER.
CONGRATULATIONS.
THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS
THE ADOPTION OF RULES OF
PROCEDURE BY WHICH THIS BODY
SHOULD GOVERN ITSELF.
SENATOR RABIN IS RECOGNIZED.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT,
MEMBERS.
I'VE BEEN GIVEN -- I'VE GIVEN A
DRAFT OF THE 2017 PERMANENT
SENATE RULES TO THE SENATE CLERK
FOR FILING.
THIS RESOLUTION WILL BE STATE
SENATE RESOLUTION NUMBER 1.
I MOVE THE SENATE -- I MOVE THAT
SENATE RESOLUTION 1 BE BROUGHT
BEFORE THE SENATE FOR
INTRODUCTION AND IMMEDIATE
CONSIDERATION BY THE BODY.
>> INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTION,
THE CLERK WILL READ.
>> SENATE RESOLUTION 1.
A SENATE RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE
PERMANENT RULES OF THE SESSION
FOR THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE
2017 GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
>> SECOND READING OF SENATE
RESOLUTION 1.
>>> SENATOR RABIN IS RECOGNIZED
TO EXPLAIN THE RESOLUTION.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS
SOMETHING WE DO EVERY SESSION
WHEN WE BRING THE RULES OF THE
SENATE INTO CONFIRMATION WITH
THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE MADE THE
CHANGES THAT WE HAVE MADE AND
THE CHANGES THAT WE'RE GOING TO
MAKE GOING FORWARD.
THESE RULES SHOULD BE LOOKED AT
AND STUDIED BY ALL OF YOU, AND I
WILL GIVE YOU A LITTLE
TEST-DRIVE OF WHAT THEY ARE.
RULE 2 IS THE CONVENING HOUR.
WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE THE HOUR
AT WHICH WE CONVENE THAT YEAR.
WE WILL STILL BE GOING IN ON
MONDAY NIGHTS AT 7:00, BUT WE'LL
BE CONVENING ON TUESDAY AND
WEDNESDAY AT 4:00 P.M.
WE'RE DOING THIS BECAUSE WE HAVE
EXPANDED THE TIME THAT WE PLAN
TO HOLD OUR COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
HOPEFULLY, THAT WILL ALLOW US TO
GET EVERYTHING DISCUSSED AND
HASHED OUT IN COMMITTEES, AND
ALL MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBER WILL
HAVE A CHANCE TO PUT IN INPUT
AND TO SCRUB THOSE BEFORE THEY
LEAVE THE COMMITTEE AND COME TO
THE FLOOR.
RULE 32 MAY BE OF INTEREST TO
YOU.
THAT IS A CHANGE IN OUR LIST OF
STANDING SELECT COMMITTEES AND
REGULAR COMMITTEES.
AS YOU'LL SEE, THERE ARE FEWER
COMMITTEES THIS TIME.
WE HOPE THAT EVERYONE WILL BE
ABLE TO SPEND MORE TIME WORKING
ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL COMMITTEES
AND THEIR AREAS OF EXPERTISE.
THERE AGAIN, THAT GOES BACK TO
THE PREVIOUS RULE ON WHY WE ARE
CHANGING OUR CONVENING HOURS.
PLEASE NOTE THAT PENSIONS HAS
BEEN ADDED UNDER APPROPRIATIONS
AND BUDGET.
WE ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A
PENSION COMMITTEE.
AND SO WE HAVE MELDED THAT INTO
OUR WITH THE BASE BUDGET.
I WANT TO BRING YOU -- OR MAKE
SURE THAT I BRING TO YOUR
ATTENTION THE DATES THAT ARE
IMPORTANT TO US AS WE MOVE
THROUGH THE SESSION.
AND THAT OUR LOCAL BILL DRAFTING
REQUESTS MUST BE IN BY MARCH THE
7th.
AND FILED BY MARCH 15th.
PUBLIC BILL REQUESTS MUST BE IN
BILL DRAFTING BY MARCH 17th AND
FILED BY MARCH 30th.
CROSSOVER DEADLINE IS APRIL
27th.
WE HAVE TALKED WITH OUR FRIENDS
IN THE OTHER CHAMBER, AND WE
HAVE AGREED ON THOSE DATES.
AND IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE OTHER RULE CHANGES, I
WILL BE HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN THOSE
AT THIS TIME.
THEY ARE STRAIGHTFORWARD, AND I
THINK UNDERSTANDABLE BY
EVERYONE.
>> DO WE HAVE ANY DISCUSSION OR
DEBATE?
HEARING NONE, QUESTION BEFORE
THE SENATE IS THE ADOPTION OF
SENATE RESOLUTION 1.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THE ADOPTION OF
SENATE RESOLUTION 1 WILL VOTE
AYE.
OPPOSE THE VOTE, NO.
10 SECONDS WILL BE ALLOWED FOR
THE VOTING.
THE CLERK WILL RECORD THE VOTE.
>> 50 HAVING VOTED IN THE
AFFIRMATIVE AND 0 IN THE
NEGATIVE, SENATE RESOLUTION 1,
THE RULES OF THE 2017 SENATE,
ARE ADOPTED.
NOW WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE
ELECTION OF OTHER OFFICERS.
SENATE RULE 65 ESTABLISHES THE
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT
PRO TEM.
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW IN ORDER FOR
THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT PRO TEM FOR
THE 2017 SENATE.
SENATOR COOK, FOR WHAT PURPOSE
DO YOU RISE?
>> TO MAKE A NO, MA'AM MAKINGS.
>> SENATOR COOK, YOU HAVE THE
FLOOR.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
MEMBERS OF THE SENATE, TODAY I
HAVE THE HONOR TO NOMINATE
SENATOR LOUIS PATE FOR DEPUTY
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE.
SENATOR LOUIS PATE HAS A LONG
AND DISTINGUISHED RECORD OF
PUBLIC SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY,
STATE, AND COUNTRY.
HE SERVED 20 YEARS IN THE UNITED
STATES AIR FORCE AND RETIRED AS
A MAJOR IN 1982.
IN VIETNAM, HE NAVIGATED B-52s
AND LATER F-111s.
HE SERVED HIS COMMUNITY AS CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER AND LAR AS THE
MAYOR OF MOUNT OLIVE, NORTH
CAROLINA.
HE SERVED THE NORTH CAROLINA
HOUSE FOR THE 11th DISTRICT
BEGINNING IN 1995 AND SERVED
SEVERAL SESSIONS, ENDING IN
2008.
LOUIS HAS SERVED IN THE SENATE
SINCE 2010.
LIKE ME, HE SERVED IN THE HOUSE
FIRST.
HOWEVER, UNLIKE ME, AFTER
SEVERAL TERMS THERE, HE HAS
FULLY RECOVERED FROM THE
EXPERIENCE.
[LAUGHTER]
SENATOR PATE HAS SERVED IN THE
SENATE -- EXCUSE ME.
SENATE PATE HAS SAVED AS A
DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT PRO
TEMPORE SINCE 2013.
HE'S THE FATHER OF THREE,
GRANDFATHER OF NINE.
HE IS JOINED TODAY BY HIS WIFE,
JOYCE, AND MANY OTHER FAMILY
MEMBERS.
TO SAY LOUIS HAS WORKED
TIRELESSLY IN THE WORLD OF
PUBLIC SERVICE IS AN
UNDERSTATEMENT.
HIS LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES OF
STEADFAST HONESTY, INTEGRITY,
CONSENSUS BUILDING AND THE
ABILITY TO TRANSFORM A VISION
INTO REALITY IS SIMPLY WHAT
LOUIS HAS BEEN DOING HIS ENTIRE
LIFE.
IT IS MY HONOR AND DISTINCT
PRIVILEGE TO NOMINATE MY FRIEND,
LOUIS M. PATE, TO SERVE AS THE
SENATE'S DEPUTY PRESIDENT PRO
TEMPORE FOR THE 2017 SESSION.
>> SENATOR TUCKER, FOR WHAT
PURPOSE DO YOU RISE?
>> MR. PRESIDENT, I RISE TO
SECOND THE NOMINATION OF SENATOR
LOUIS PATE AS DEPUTY PRESIDENT
PRO TEM OF THE SENATE.
SENATOR PATE HAS BEEN A FRIEND
OF MINE EVER SINCE I GOT HERE.
SENATOR PATE IS A MAN OF
INTEGRITY AND RESERVED CALM.
HE OFTEN HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO
EXERCISE HIS FORMER RANK AS
MAJOR IN THE AIR FORCE WHEN HE
LOOKS AT ME IN A COMMITTEE
MEETING AND SAYS, TOMMY, BE
QUIET.
SIR, I FURTHER MOVE THAT THE
NOMINATIONS BE CLOSED AND THAT
SENATOR PATE'S NOMINATION BE
ACCEPTED BY ACCLAMATION.
THANK YOU, SIR.
>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.
THE MOTION IS THE NOMINATIONS BE
CLOSED AND THE NOMINATION OF
SENATOR LOUIS PATE FOR DEPUTY
PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE 2017
SENATE BE APPROVED BY
ACCLAMATION.
THOSE IN FAVOR WILL SAY AYE.
OPPOSED NO.
THE AYES HAVE IT.
THE CHAIR DECLARES SENATOR PATE
UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED TO THE
OFFICE OF DEPUTY PRESIDENT PRO
TEM.
SENATOR COOK, SENATOR TOOKER,
SENATOR TILLMAN AND SENATOR HISE
ARE ASSIGNED TO ESCORT LOUIS
PATE TO THE WELL OF THE SENATE
TO RECEIVE THE OATH OF OFFICE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> SENATOR COOK, YOU HAVE THE
FLOOR.
>> MR. PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE
SENATE, IT IS MY PLEASURE TO
PRESENT TO YOU THE DEPUTY
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE-ELECT OF
THE 2017 SESSION, LOUIS M. PATE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU, SENATOR COOK.
THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS IS DIRECTED
TO ESCORT MRS. JOYCE PATE, THE
WIFE OF DEPUTY PRESIDENT PRO
TEM-ELECT TO THE WELL OF THE
SENATE, CHIEF JUSTICE MARTIN
WILL ADMINISTER THE OATH.
>> DO YOU, LOUIS PATE, SOLEMNLY
SWEAR THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE
UNITED STATES SO HELP ME GOD?
DO YOU SOLEMNLY AND SINCERELY
SWEAR THAT YOU WILL BE FAITHFUL
AND BEAR TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO THE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND TO
THE CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS AND
AUTHORITY THAT ARE OR MAY BE
ESTABLISHED FOR THE GOVERNMENT
THEREOF, AND WILL YOU SUPPORT,
MAINTAIN AND DEFEND THE
CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF SAID
STATE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES TO THE BEST OF YOUR
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY?
AND DO YOU SOLEMNLY AND
SINCERELY SWEAR THAT YOU WILL
FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE YOUR DUTIES
AS DEPUTY PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
OF THE 2017 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA TO
THE BEST OF YOUR SKILL AND
ABILITY, SO HELP YOU GOD.
>> SO HELP ME GOD.
>> CONGRATULATIONS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> CONGRATULATIONS, SENATOR
PATE.
YOU HAVE THE FLOOR TO ADDRESS
THE SENATE.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
IT'S AN HONOR TO BE SELECTED FOR
THIS JOB.
AS YOU SAW, WE HAD THREE OF OUR
GRANDCHILDREN HERE.
WE DIDN'T HAVE ROOM FOR THE REST
OF THEM BECAUSE WE COULDN'T
FIGURE OUT WHERE TO PARK THE
BUS.
[LAUGHTER]
BUT, AT ANY RATE, IT IS A GREAT
HONOR TO CONTINUE IN THIS -- IN
THIS SENATE, AND I APPRECIATE IT
SO MUCH.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO ROLLING UP
OUR SLEEVES IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS
AND GETTING TO WORK.
AND AS I SAID THE OTHER DAY, I'D
JUMP OUT OF AN AIRPLANE WITHOUT
A PARACHUTE TO FOLLOW SENATOR
BERGER.
HE LEADS THE WAY, AND WE ARE
LUCKY TO HAVE HIM AT THE HEM.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
VOTE TODAY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU, SENATOR PATE.
AND CONGRATULATIONS.
THE CONSTITUTION OF NORTH
CAROLINA DIRECTS THE SENATE TO
ELECT ITS OTHER OFFICERS.
THE GENERAL STATUTES DEFINE THEM
TO BE A PRINCIPAL CLERK, A
READING CLERK, AND A
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS.
THE CHAIR NOW DECLARES
NOMINATIONS ARE IN ORDER FOR THE
OFFICE OF PRINCIPAL CLERK OF THE
2017 SENATE.
SENATOR RABON IS RECOGNIZED.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
MR. PRESIDENT, I RISE TO
NOMINATE SARAH LANG FOR THE
OFFICE OF SENATE PRINCIPAL CLERK
FOR THE 2017 SESSION.
SARAH HAS SERVED US WELL FOR THE
PAST SIX YEARS.
WE ALL KNOW HER.
WE'VE ALL WORKED WITH HER.
WE HAVE FOUND THAT SHE IS A
DILIGENT WORKER HERE BEFORE WE
GET HERE, HERE AFTER WE LEAVE,
AND SHE HAS SUFFERED ALL OF US
AND DONE A GREAT JOB.
I HOPE YOU ALL JOIN ME IN
RECOGNIZING HER HARD WORK AND
VOTING FOR HER TO SERVE TWO MORE
YEARS.
>> THANK YOU, SENATOR RABON.
SENATOR HARRINGTON, FOR WHAT
PURPOSE DO YOU RISE?
>> TO SECOND THE NOMINATION.
>> YOU HAVE THE FLOOR, SENATOR.
>> THANK YOU.
SHE HAS DONE A WONDERFUL JOB FOR
US, AND ALMOST THE ENTIRE TIME
THAT WE'VE BEEN HERE.
I ECHO SENATOR RABON'S REMARKS
AND SAY THAT SHE IS IN HER
OFFICE ARE ONE OF THE MAIN
REASONS THINGS RUN SO SMOOTHLY
IN THE SENATE.
I MOVE THAT THE NOMINATIONS BE
CLOSED AND SARAH LANG'S
NOMINATION BE ACCEPTED BY
ACCLAMATION.
>> THE MOTION IS THAT THE
NOMINATIONS BE CLOSED AND THE
NOMINATION OF SARAH LANG FOR THE
PRINCIPAL CLERK OF THE SENATE
FOR THE 2017 SESSION BE ACCEPTED
BY ACCLAMATION.
DO WE HAVE ANY DISCUSSION OR
DEBATE?
IF NOT, THOSE IN FAVOR WILL SAY
AYE.
OPPOSED NO.
THE AYES HAVE IT.
AND THE CHAIR DECLARES SARAH
LANG UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED TO THE
OFFICE OF PRINCIPAL CLERK OF THE
SENATE FOR THE 2017 SESSION.
THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS WILL ESCORT
THE PRINCIPAL CLERK-ELECT TO THE
WELL OF THE SENATE WHERE CHIEF
JUSTICE MARTIN WILL ADMINISTER
THE OATH OF OFFICE.
THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS MAY ALSO
ESCORT JACKIE LANG TO THE WELL
OF THE SENATE TO STAND WITH HER
DAUGHTER.
>> PLEASE PLACE YOUR LEFT HAND
ON THE BIBLE, RAISE YOUR RIGHT
HAND.
DO YOU, SARAH LANG, SOLEMNLY
SWEAR THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE
UNITED STATES SO HELP YOU GOD?
DO YOU SOLEMNLY AND SINCERELY
SWEAR THAT YOU WILL BE FAITHFUL
AND BEAR TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO THE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND TO
THE CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS AND
AUTHORITIES WHICH ARE OR MAY BE
ESTABLISHED FOR THE GOVERNMENT
THEREOF?
WILL YOU ENDEAVOR TO SUPPORT,
MAINTAIN AND DEFEND THE
CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS OF SAID
STATE, NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES, TO THE BEST OF YOUR
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY?
AND DO YOU SOLEMNLY AND
SINCERELY SWEAR THAT YOU WILL
FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE YOUR DUTIES
AS PRINCIPAL CLERK OF THE SENATE
OF THE 2017 GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO
THE BEST OF YOUR SKILL AND
ABILITY SO HELP YOU GOD?
>> I DO.
>> CONGRATULATIONS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> CONGRATULATIONS, MADAM CLERK.
PLEASE ASSUME YOUR SEAT.
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW IN ORDER FOR
THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS OF THE 2017
SENATE.
SENATOR TILLMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
I RISE TO NOMINATE PHIL KING TO
BE OUR SERGEANT-AT-ARMS FOR THE
COMING '17 SESSION.
PHIL HAS SERVED US EXTREMELY
WELL DURING THE PAST THREE
SESSIONS.
HE TOLD ME TO MOVE ONE TIME, AND
I DID BECAUSE I KNEW HE WAS A
NAVY SEAL.
LEWIS, YOU ARE A MAJOR PILOT,
BUT HE WAS A NAVY SEAL.
AND HE'S EXTREMELY PROFESSIONAL
IN ALL OF HIS DUTIES, AND HE'S A
GENTLEMAN.
AND I WITHOUT HESITATION
RECOMMEND PHIL KING TO SERVE AS
OUR SERGEANT-AT-ARMS FOR THE '17
SESSION.
>> SENATOR RABON IS RECOGNIZED.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
I RISE TO SECOND THE NOMINATION
OF PHIL KING AS SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
AND TO MAKE A MOTION.
I'VE KNOWN PHIL FOR 40 YEARS.
IT WAS UPON THE RECOMMENDATION
ACTUALLY OF SENATOR RUCHO THAT
HE WAS ORIGINALLY CHOSEN FOR THE
JOB THAT HE NOW SERVES US IN.
BUT HE HAS BEEN A FINE MAN AND A
FINE FRIEND, AND HE HAS SERVED
US WELL.
AND, MR. PRESIDENT, IF I MAY, I
WOULD FURTHER MOVE THAT THE
NOMINATIONS BE CLOSED AND THAT
SENATOR BERGER'S NOMINATION BE
ACCEPTED BY ACCLAMATION.
>> THE MOTION IS THE NOMINATIONS
BE CLOSED AND THE NOMINATION OF
PHIL LIP KING AS
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS OF THE 2017
SENATE BE ACCEPTED BY
ACCLAMATION.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION OR
DEBATE?
IF NOT, THOSE IN FAVOR WILL SAY
AYE.
OPPOSED NO.
THE AYES HAVE IT.
AND THE CHAIR DECLARES PHIL KING
UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED TO THE
OFFICE OF THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
OF THE SENATE FOR THE 2017
SESSION.
THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS-ELECT WILL
GO TO THE WELL OF THE SENATE
WILL CHIEF JUSTICE MARTIN WILL
ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE
AND ASSISTANT SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
WILL ESCORT CAROL KING TO THE
WELL OF THE SENATE TO STAND WITH
HER HUSBAND.
>> PLEASE PLACE YOUR LEFT HAND
ON THE BIBLE AND RAISE YOUR
RIGHT.
DO YOU, PHILLIP KING, SOLEMNLY
SWEAR THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE
UNITED STATES, SO HELP YOU GOD.
DO YOU SOLEMNLY AND SINCERELY
SWEAR THAT YOU WILL BE FAITHFUL
AND BEAR TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO THE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND TO
THE CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS AND
AUTHORITIES WHICH ARE OR MAY BE
ESTABLISHED FOR THE GOVERNMENT
THEREOF?
AND WILL YOU ENDEAVOR TO
SUPPORT, MAINTAIN AND DEFEND THE
CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS OF SAID
STATE, NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES, TO THE BEST OF YOUR
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY?
AND DO YOU SOLEMNLY AND
SINCERELY SWEAR THAT YOU WILL
FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE YOUR DUTIES
AS SERGEANT-AT-ARMS OF THE
SENATE OF THE 2017 GENERAL
ASSEMBLY TO THE BEST OF YOUR
SKILL AND ABILITY, SO HELP YOU
GOD?
>> I DO, SO HELP ME GOD.
>> CONGRATULATIONS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> CONGRATULATIONS, MR. KING.
AND YOU MAY ASSUME YOUR SEAT.
MESSAGE FROM THE MAJORITY
CAUCUS.
THE CLERK WILL READ.
>> JANUARY 10, 2017.
THE HONORABLE DAN FOREST,
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, ROOM
2104, RALEIGH NORTH CAROLINA,
27601.
DEAR PRESIDENT FOREST, THIS IS
TO ADVISE YOU THAT THE SENATE
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS MET ON
DECEMBER 3rd, 2016, WITH 33
MEMBERS PRESENT AND NOMINATED
FOLLOWING OFFICERS FOR THE 2017
SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, PHIL
BERGER, DEPUTY PRESIDENT PRO TEM
FOR, LEWIS PATE, HARRY BROWN,
WHIP, JERRY TILLMAN, SENATE
MAJORITY WHIP, SENATOR WESLEY
MEREDITH, REPUBLICAN JOINT
CAUCUS LEADER, SENATOR NORMAN
SANDERSON, PRINCIPAL CLERK, MISS
SARAH LANG, SERGEANT-AT-ARMS,
MR. PHILLIP KING.
SINCERELY, SENATOR HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES BROWN.
>> PLEASE STAND, SENATOR BROWN,
SENATOR TILLMAN, STANDARD NORM
SANDERSON, JOINT CAUCUS LEADER.
CONGRATULATIONS.
[APPLAUSE]
MESSAGE FROM THE MINORITY
CAUCUS.
THE CLERK WILL READ.
>> DECEMBER 13, 2016.
THE HONORABLE DAN FOREST,
LEGISLATIVE BUILDING, ROOM 2104,
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA.
27601.
DEAR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOREST,
THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS MET
ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016,
AND ELECTED THE FOLLOWING
OFFICERS FOR THE 2017-18
LEGISLATIVE TERM.
SENATOR DANIEL T. BLUE JR. OF
WAKE COUNTY, MINORITY LEADER,
SENATOR TERRY VAN DUYN, MINORITY
WHIP, SENATOR ROBERT BEN CLARK
III OF HOKE COUNTY, CAUCUS
SECRETARY.
ROBERT B. CLARK III, SENATE
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS SECRETARY.
>> CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
FOLLOWING LEADERS AND ASK THEM
TO STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED.
SENATOR DAN BLUE, MINORITY
LEADER.
SENATOR TERRY VAN DUYN, MINORITY
WHIP.
SENATOR BEN COOK, MINORITY
CAUCUS SECRETARY.
CONGRATULATIONS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> SENATOR RABON, FOR WHAT
PURPOSE DO YOU RISE?
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
A MOTION.
>> YOU HAVE THE FLOOR FOR YOUR
MOTION.
>> THANK YOU.
HAVING VOTED WITH THE PREVAILING
SIDE IN THE ELECTION OF SENATOR
PHIL BERGER AS PRESIDENT PRO
TEM, I MOVE TO RECONSIDER THE
VOTE ELECTING SENATE BERGER AND
FURTHER MOVE THAT MY MOTION TO
RECONSIDER BE LAID UPON THE
TABLE.
>> SENATOR TUCKER, FOR WHAT
PURPOSE DO YOU RISE?
>> MOTION, PLEASE.
>> SENATOR, DO YOU HAVE A
MOTION?
>> MOTION TO LAY ON THE TABLE.
>> THANK YOU, SENATOR TUCKER.
>> THIS IS A NON-DEBATABLE
MOTION AND WILL GO STRAIGHT TO A
VOTE.
THE QUESTION BEFORE THE BODY IS
A MOTION TO TABLE THE MOTION TO
RECONSIDER THE VOTE FOR
PRESIDENT PRO TEM.
10 SECONDS WILL BE ALLOWED FOR
THE VOTING.
AND THE CLERK WILL RECORD THE
VOTE.
DONE.
SMITH-INGRAM, AYE.
50 HAVING VOTED IN THE
AFFIRMATIVE AND 0 IN THE
NEGATIVE, THE MOTION HAS BEEN
TABLED.
SENATOR RABON IS RECOGNIZED.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO
THE END THAT SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION NUMBER 2 WAS JUST
FILED -- OOPS, I GOT THE WRONG
ONE.
NOPE.
I'M RIGHT.
I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO
THE END OF JOINT RESOLUTION
NUMBER 2, WHICH HAS JUST BEEN
FILED, BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE
SENATE FOR FIRST READING AND
IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.
I FURTHER MOVE THAT UPON
ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION, THE
RESOLUTION BE SENT TO THE HOUSE
BY SPECIAL MESSENGER.
>> WITHOUT OB JEKS, SO ORDERED.
>> MY SENATOR RABON, SENATOR
JOINT RESOLUTION 2.
A JOINT RESOLUTION ADJOURNING
THE 2017 REGULAR SESSION OF THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO A DATE
CERTAIN AS PROVIDED BY LAW.
>> SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION ON A
SECOND READING.
>> ADJOURN ORGANIZATIONAL
SESSION.
>> SENATOR RABON IS RECOGNIZED
TO EXPLAIN THE RESOLUTION.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS
JUST A JOINT -- A RESOLUTION FOR
US TO ADJOURN TODAY TO A DAY
CERTAIN AND TO RECONVENE ON
JANUARY 25th TO OPEN THE SENATE
AGAIN FOR BUSINESS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> ANY DISCUSSION OR DEBATE?
HEARING NONE, QUESTION BEFORE
THE SENATE IS THE PASSAGE OF
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 2 ON ITS
SECOND READING.
ALL IN FAVOR WILL VOTE AYE.
OPPOSED WILL VOTE NO.
10 SECONDS ALLOWED FOR THE
VOTING AND THE CLERK WILL RECORD
THE VOTE.
50 HAVING VOTED IN THE
AFFIRMATIVE, SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION 2 HAS PASSED IT'S
SECOND READING AND WILL BE READ
A THIRD TIME.
ANY DISCUSSION OR DEBATE?
HEARING NONE, QUESTION BEFORE
THE BODY IS THE PASSAGE OF
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 2 ON ITS
THIRD READING.
IT PASSES THIRD READING.
IT WILL BE SENT TO THE HOUSE VIA
SPECIAL MESSAGE.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO SAY WELCOME TO
EVERYBODY, TO FAMILY AND
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW
MEMBERS THAT JOIN US HERE IN THE
SENATE CHAMBER TODAY AND SAY
THANK YOU FOR THE SERVICE THAT
YOU'RE GETTING READY TO
UNDERTAKE.
IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE
THE PEOPLE OF NORTH CAROLINA AS
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR THE PAST
FOUR YEARS, AND I LOOK FORWARD
WITH GREAT ANTICIPATION TO THE
NEXT FOUR.
AS EVERYONE IN THIS CHAMBER
KNOWS, SERVICE IS SACRIFICE AND
THE GREATEST SACRIFICE, AS
SENATOR BERGER MENTIONED, COMES
FROM THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF THOSE
THAT ARE SERVING.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO THANK AGAIN
THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ALLOW
US TO DO THIS JOB WE DO EVERY
DAY, AND ESPECIALLY TO MY FAMILY
FAMILY
FAMILY, AND ESPECIALLY TO MY
WIFE ALICE.
THANK YOU FOR THE WAY YOU SERVE
AND FOR THE SPIRIT WITH WHICH
YOU DO IT.
AS A FORMER ARCHITECT, I SPENT
MY FORMATIVE YEARS LEARNING THE
ART AND SCIENCE OF CREATING
BUILDINGS.
ARCHITECTURE IS AN ART.
IT'S A SCIENCE.
IT'S A TECHNOLOGY.
IT'S MATH AND ANTHROPOLOGY.
SOCIOLOGY.
GEOGRAPHY.
AND IT'S A VERY COMPLEX
PROFESSION.
MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS,
THAT THEY SPEND THE MAJORITY OF
THEIR LIVES LIVING AND WORKING
IN BOXES CREATED BY ARCHITECTS.
ARCHITECTURE IMPACTS OUR LIVES
IN SO MANY WAYS IT HAS JUST
PLAIN BECOME UBIQUITOUS TO OUR
EVERYDAY LIFE.
YOU REALLY CAN'T AVOID THE ART
OF ARCHITECTURE.
YOU MAY BE ABLE TO AVOID A BAD
TV SHOW OR A BAD MOVIE.
YOU CAN EVEN PUT DOWN A BAD
BOOK.
BUT THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE
ENDURES FOR GENERATIONS, AND IT
IS A PART OF OUR DAILY LIVES,
WHETHER GOOD OR BAD.
AS AN ARCHITECT, I HAD TO LEARN
THE ART OF BEING A DESIGNER, A
PLANNER, A CONSENSUS BUILDER,
AND THE ONE WHO PAINTS THE
ENVISIONED FUTURE FOR A CLIENT.
THE DEMANDS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
WERE OFTEN OVERWHELMING.
BUT THE FACT IS ARCHITECTS ARE
CREATORS OF CULTURE.
AND I HAVE OBSERVED SO MANY
PARALLELS BETWEEN ARCHITECTURE
AND THE WORK THAT WE ALL DO HERE
IN THIS CHAMBER, THE WORK OF
POLITICS.
WHILE POLITICS IS SO OFTEN
DOWNSTREAM OF CULTURE, IT DOES
IMPACT GENERATIONS, PLANNING,
DESIGNING, CREATING, CONSENSUS
BUILDING, TOOLS NEEDED IN OUR
DAILY LIVES HERE IN RALEIGH.
WE ARE THE ARCHITECTS OF
POLITICAL CULTURE IN NORTH
CAROLINA.
AND WITH THAT COMES GREAT
RESPONSIBILITY AND A DEMAND FOR
THOUGHTFUL LEADERSHIP.
OUR LEADERSHIP DEMANDS VISION,
DESIGN, PLANNING, AND MOST
CERTAINLY CLEAR EXECUTION.
EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT IS THE
METAPHORICALLY BUILDING WE'RE
CREATING THROUGH POLICY IS THE
SOLID FOUNDATION IT RESTS UPON.
THE PAST FOUR YEARS HAVE BEEN
FOUNDATION BUILDING YEARS.
THEY HAVE BEEN TOILSOME YEARS,
YEARS WITHOUT MUCH RECOGNITION
FOR THE HARD WORK THAT HAS BEEN
ACCOMPLISHED.
YET YOU CREATED A SOLID
FOUNDATION UPON WHICH A NEW AND
VISIONED FUTURE FOR THE STATE OF
NORTH CAROLINA CAN BE BUILT.
REDESIGNING THE TAX
INFRASTRUCTURE OF OUR STATE SO
THAT MIDDLE CLASS HAS MORE MONEY
IN THEIR POCKETS.
AND SO THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS
CAN CREATE NEW JOBS.
REDESIGNING EDUCATION FUNDING TO
RAISE TEACHER COMPENSATION TO
THE HIGHEST LEVEL SO THAT
TEACHERS CAN BEGIN TO FEEL
VALUED FOR THE WORK THAT THEY
DO, AND SO THAT WE CAN ATTRACT
AND RETAIN THE BEST AND
BRIGHTEST TEACHERS IN THE
NATION.
REDESIGNING ROAD CONSTRUCTION
FORMULAS SO THAT MORE RURAL
AREAS AND SMALL TOWNS ARE
CONNECTED TO OUR GROWING CITIES.
REDESIGNING GOVERNMENT
EFFICIENCY SO MORE PEOPLE FEELS
LIKE GOVERNMENT WORKS FOR THEM
AND SO THAT WE HAVE MORE MONEY
IN OUR RAINY DAY FUND FOR A
RAINY DAY.
REDESIGNING EDUCATION FOR OUR
DIGITAL WORLD SO THAT WE WILL BE
THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO
HAVE EVERY SINGLE CLASSROOM
CONNECTED TO HIGH-SPEED
BROADBAND AND SO THAT EVERY
STUDENT IN NORTH CAROLINA HAS
ACCESS TO AN EXCELLENT
EDUCATION.
REDESIGNING HIGHER EDUCATION SO
THAT STUDENTS CAN SAVE MONEY BY
STARTING AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE
AND THEN SEAMLESSLY ENTER A
FOUR-YEAR SCHOOL AND SO THAT
STUDENTS THAT NEED IT THE MOST
CAN ACCESS A $500 UNIVERSITY
TUITION FOR THE FIRST TIME.
AND THAT IS JUST THE BEGINNING
OF THE FOUNDATION THAT YOU
CREATED OVER THE PAST FOUR
YEARS.
BUT IT IS A VERY SOLID
FOUNDATION.
AND IT CAN BE BUILT UPON.
SO HOW DO WE GO ABOUT THE TASK?
WE ALL KNOW WHAT WE DO EVERY
DAY.
WE ALL KNOW HOW WE DO WHAT WE
DO.
BUT HOW OFTEN DO WE ALL CONSIDER
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO.
I OFTEN THINK ABOUT WHATTIO HAHN
SEBASTIAN BACH REPLIED WHEN
ASKED WHY HE WROTE MUSIC.
HE SAID FOR THE GLORY OF GOD AND
THE GOOD OF MAN.
WHAT IF ALL OF OUR LIVES WERE
THAT NOBLE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD
AND FOR THE GOOD OF MAN?
AN ENVISIONED FUTURE SHOULD BE A
NOBLE PURSUIT OF THE WISE AND
MUST INCLUDE THE MOST VULNERABLE
IN OUR COMMUNITIES, THOSE WHO
FEEL THEY HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND,
THOSE WHO CAN'T RUN THE RACE
BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET OUT OF
THE GATE.
THEY LOOK TO US FOR HOPE AND
OPPORTUNITY BUT RELY ON US TO DO
THE RIGHT THING.
AND THERE IS STILL MUCH TO DO.
THERE IS STILL MUCH GOOD TO BE
DONE IN OUR STATE.
THERE IS STILL GREAT NEED JUST
DOWN THE ROAD FROM THIS
BUILDING.
THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE
STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND
PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.
THERE ARE WIDOWS IN OUR
COMMUNITIES THAT NEED A HELPING
HAND.
THERE ARE ORPHANS IN OUR
COMMUNITIES THAT NEED A MOTHER
AND A FATHER.
THERE ARE UNBORN CHILDREN THAT
NEED TO HAVE THE HOPE OF A FULL
LIFE.
THERE ARE PRISONERS THAT NEED A
SECOND CHANCE.
THERE ARE VICTIMS OF HUMAN
TRAFFICKING THAT NEED TO FIND
FREEDOM.
THERE ARE IMMIGRANTS THAT NEED
HELP ASSIMILATING INTO OUR
COMMUNITIES.
THERE ARE STUDENTS THAT ARE
STILL LOST IN EDUCATION SYSTEM
THAT DOES NOT WORK FOR THEM AND
THEIR FUTURE, AND THERE ARE
PARENTS WHO DON'T HAVE A CHOICE
BUT TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO A
FAILING SCHOOL.
THERE ARE RACE RELATIONS THAT
STILL NEED TO BE RECONCILED IN
OUR STATE AND IN OUR NATION.
AND THERE IS STILL MUCH GOOD TO
BE DONE, AND WE ARE THE
ARCHITECTS OF THAT ENVISIONED
FUTURE.
BUT THESE ARE NOT MERELY THE
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF
GOVERNMENT, MUCH LESS THIS BODY.
THESE ARE THE DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A COMMUNITY,
OF ITS LEADERS, OF FAMILY AND
THE CHURCH.
AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, I LOOK
FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH OF
YOU AS WE DO OUR PART TO DESIGN
A BETTER NORTH CAROLINA FOR THE
MOST VULNERABLE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO FIGHTING FOR
EVERY FAMILY IN OUR STATE,
WHETHER THEY VOTED FOR ME OR
NOT.
IMAGINE THE FUTURE THAT CAN BE
CREATED FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN
LEFT BEHIND WHEN WE WORK
TOGETHER.
I AM SURE YOU ALL AGREE THAT WE
LIVE IN THE GREATEST STATE IN
AMERICA.
WE HAVE THE BEST CLIMATE.
WE HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL
PLACES, THE BEST GEOGRAPHY, THE
PRETTIEST MOUNTAINS AND BEACHES,
THE BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR RAISING
A FAMILY AND GETTING A JOB, THE
BEST RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES, THE
MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES, AND
THE BEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.
I BELIEVE OUR BRIGHTEST DAYS ARE
STILL AHEAD, AND I BELIEVE WE
CAN DO OUR PART TO CREATE HOPE
AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL NORTH
CAROLINIANS.
I BELIEVE WE CAN INNOVATE MORE
AND FASTER THAN ANY OTHER STATE
IN THE NATION.
I BELIEVE WE CAN ACCOMPLISH JUST
ABOUT ANYTHING IF WE DON'T CARE
WHO GETS THE CREDIT.
SO THAT MEANS WE MUST WORK
TOGETHER FOR THIS BRIGHT FUTURE,
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING
WITH YOU OVER THE NEXT FOUR
YEARS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
I PRAY THAT GOD WILL GIVE YOU
WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE AND BLESS
YOUR EFFORTS.
AND I PRAY THAT GOD WILL BLESS
THE GOOD PEOPLE OF NORTH
CAROLINA, AND I PRAY THAT GOD
WILL BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA ONE MORE TIME.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US HERE
TODAY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.
NOW, SENATORS, HAVING RECEIVED
YOUR OATH OF OFFICE, ADOPTED
RULES OF PROCEDURE, AND ELECTED
YOUR OFFICERS, THE CHAIR DIRECTS
THE PRINCIPAL CLERK TO SEND A
MESSAGE TO THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES INFORMING THAT
HONORABLE BODY THAT THE SENATE
OF THE 2017 GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS
ORGANIZED AND READY TO PROCEED
WITH PUBLIC BUSINESS.
DO WE HAVE ANY NOTICES OR
ANNOUNCEMENTS?
SENATOR HISE, FOR WHAT PURPOSE
DO YOU RISE?
>> I WOULD MOVE THAT THE WORDS
SPOKEN TODAY BE SPREAD UPON THE
JOURNAL.
>> SENATOR BRYANT, YOU HAVE THE
FLOOR.
>> I AM PLEASED TO REPORT TO THE
MEMBERS OF THE SENATE THAT THE
NORTH CAROLINA LEGISLATIVE BLACK
CAUCUS IS ORGANIZED FOR THE 2017
2017-18 BY -- BIENNIUM, AND IT
IS BRYANT, SECOND VICE CHAIR
FROM THE SENATE, SENATOR ERICA
SMITH-INGRAM, SECRETARY FROM THE
HOUSE, REPRESENTATIVE JEAN
FARMER-BUTTERFIELD, ROSA GILL,
SENATOR DON DAVIS, CHAPLAIN FROM
THE SENATE, SENATOR JOE S.
WADDELL, SERGEANT-AT-ARMS FROM
THE HOUSE, REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT
REIVES.
THANK YOU.
>> ANY FURTHER NOTICES?
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
JUST FOR A MOMENT OF PERSONAL
PRIVILEGE.
>> YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> MEMBERS, GUESTS, YOU KNOW,
WE'RE MISSING SOMEONE HERE
TODAY.
AND OUR CAUCUS HAS ELECTED HIM
SHOULD HE HAVE BEEN WELL AND HAD
NOT PASSED ON.
SO WITH THAT BEING SAID,
MR. PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS, I
THINK IT'S ONLY FITTING THAT WE
ADJOURN TODAY, AND I MAKE THAT
AS A MOTION IN MEMORY OF OUR
READING CLERK, MR. LEE SETTLE.
>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.
SENATOR TILLMAN, FOR WHAT
PURPOSE DO YOU RISE?
>> A MOMENT OF PERSONAL
PRIVILEGE.
>> YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> LEE SETTLE -- MANY OF YOU
DIDN'T KNOW LEE VERY WELL.
I MET LEE SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN
HE WAS BEGINNING IN THE EARLY
STAGES OF THE REPUBLICAN MEN'S
CLUB IN MOORE COUNTY.
HE WAS ONE OF THEIR FIRST
CHAIRS.
NOT THE FIRST, BUT ONE OF.
AND HE GOT THE CLUB ORGANIZED
WITH A LOT OF HARD WORK, AND I
WAS ACTIVE IN RANDOLPH COUNTY
AND GOT TO KNOW HIM WELL AND WAS
INVITED MANY TIMES DOWN TO MEET
WITH THEM, AND WE HAD LEE BACK
UP TO THE RANDOLPH COUNTY.
BUT HE WAS A QUIET TYPE GUY WHO
HAD A LOT OF INFLUENCE.
A LOT OF INFLUENCE IN MOORE
COUNTY.
AND I JUST WANT TO LET YOU ALL
KNOW THAT HE WAS A GREAT TRENCH
WORKER, NEVER OUT FRONT WITH THE
RAH, RAH, RAH STUFF, BUT LEE WAS
A GENTLEMAN AND WELL-RESPECTED,
AND WE WILL MISS -- I MISS LEE.
LEE AND SENATOR BLAKE'S LAST
YEAR OR TWO HERE, MAYBE LAST
THREE YEARS, HIS HEALTH WAS
FAILING, AND LEE BROUGHT HIM
HERE EVERY TIME, TOOK HIM HOME
EVERY NIGHT ALL DURING THE
SESSION.
HE ALSO TOOK HIM TO OTHER
MEETINGS IN THE COMMUNITY.
HE BROUGHT HIM TO RANDOLPH
COUNTY TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT
TIMES IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.
SO YOU DON'T FIND PEOPLE EVERY
DAY WITH THOSE QUALITIES.
AND I JUST -- SENATOR JACKSON,
THANK YOU FOR TRIGGERING MY MIND
TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT LEE,
BECAUSE I'D BEEN PLANNING AND
WANTING TO, BUT, YOU KNOW, HE
LEFT RIGHT AT THE END, SORT OF
THE BEGINNING OF THIS SESSION,
SO I DON'T WANT US TO FORGET LEE
SETTLE, WHO IS A GREAT VOICE IN
MOORE COUNTY, AND I SAY THAT
CLUB NOW IS AS STRONG AS IT IS
AND THE LARGEST IN THE STATE.
IT WAS A LOT TO DO WITH LEE
SETTLE IN THE EARLY DAYS.
>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.
SENATOR BRYANT, YOUR LIGHT IS
ON.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU RISE?
>> A MOMENT OF PERSONAL
PRIVILEGE.
>> I TOO WANT TO SPEAK OF A FEW
WORDS IN MEMORY OF MR. LEE
SETTLE.
HE WAS A MAJESTIC AND GRAND
GENTLEMAN AND WAS ALWAYS SO
KIND-HEARTED, AND I PERSONALLY
APPRECIATE HOW SUPPORTIVE HE WAS
OF ME EVEN THOUGH WE WERE OF
DIFFERENT PARTIES.
HE WAS ALWAYS SO SYMPATHETIC OF
OUR -- YOU KNOW, OF OUR -- THE
DIFFICULT CHALLENGES WE FACE
HERE ON THE BACK ROW, AND I
ALWAYS APPRECIATED HIM FOR THAT,
AND JUST THE ROLE MODEL HE WAS
OF SUCH A GRAND GENTLEMAN.
I WAS SO PROUD TO HAVE HIM HERE
AND WANT TO HONOR HIM BY MAKING
THESE REMARKS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SENATOR BRYANT.
DO WE HAVE ANY FURTHER NOTICES
OR ANNOUNCEMENTS?
WITH NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME
BEFORE THE SENATE -- SENATOR
TILLMAN, FOR WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU
RISE?
>> I KNOW I'VE TALKED TOO MUCH.
AND I AM SORRY.
>> FOR WHAT PURPOSE?
>> A MOMENT OF PERSONAL
PRIVILEGE.
>> YOU HAVE THE FLOOR, SENATOR.
>> THANK YOU, SIR.
I WAS TALKING TO SENATOR BLUE A
WHILE AGO.
THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE
SMOOTHEST OPENINGS WE'VE HAD.
I SEE A LOT OF WILLINGNESS TO
WORK ACROSS THE AISLE.
AND I'VE EXPRESSED THAT, AND I
THINK OUR LEADER, SENATOR
BERGER, HAS EXPRESSED THAT, THAT
WE CAN DO MANY THINGS TOGETHER.
WE DON'T ARGUE OVER THAT MANY
ISSUES ANYWAY.
AND I KNOW SENATOR BLUE HAS
THINGS THAT HE'S GOT THAT HE
WOULD LIKE FOR US TO WORK
TOGETHER ON, AND I JUST THINK
THAT WE OUGHT TO THROW THE OLIVE
BRANCH OUT AND FIGHT OVER THE
FEW THINGS WE FIGHT OVER, WHICH
WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO DO, AND
ALL THE REST OF THEM HAVE PEACE,
HARMONY AND GOOD WILL TO ALL.
>> IS THERE ANY FURTHER BUSINESS
TO COME BEFORE THE SENATE?
IF NOT, THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES
SENATOR BERGER FOR A MOTION.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
I MOVE THAT THE SENATE DO NOW
ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF A FINE
GENTLEMAN, LEE SETTLE, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION 2 AND SUBSEQUENT
RECEIPT OF HOUSE MESSAGES, TO
RECONVENE ON JANUARY 25, 2017.
>> IN ACCORDANCE WITH SENATE
JOINT RESOLUTION 2, SUBJECT TO
THE STIPULATIONS STATED BY
MR. BERGER AND THE MEMORY OF LEE
SETTLE, ALL IN FAVOR WILL SAY
AYE.
OPPOSED NO.
THE AYES HAVE IT.
AND THE SENATE STANDS ADJOURNED.
[GAVEL]
(room chatter)
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