GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1244*

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Sponsors: Representatives Dockham; Howard, McCrary, Luebke, Barefoot, and Hurley.

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Referred to:  Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House.

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April 15, 1999

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF WILMER DAVID "VINEGAR BEND”MIZELL, FORMER NORTH CAROLINA CONGRESSMAN.
Whereas, Wilmer David Mizell was born in Vinegar Bend, Alabama, on August 13, 1930, to Walter David Mizell and Addie Turner Mizell; and
Whereas, Wilmer David Mizell was affectionately known as "Vinegar Bend"; and
Whereas, Wilmer David Mizell graduated from Leakesville High School in Leakesville, Mississippi, in 1949; and
Whereas, Wilmer David Mizell married the late Nancy McAlphine on November 16, 1952; and
Whereas, Wilmer David Mizell proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1953 to 1955; and
Whereas, during Wilmer David Mizell's early adult years, he pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the New York Mets; and
Whereas, Wilmer David Mizell retired from baseball in 1963 and accepted a position with the Pepsi-Cola Company in Winston-Salem working in the field of sales management and public relations; and
Whereas, Wilmer David Mizell served as a County Commissioner for Davidson County from 1966 to 1968; and
Whereas, Wilmer David Mizell served with honor and distinction as a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing North Carolina's Fifth Congressional District from 1968 to 1974; and
Whereas, Wilmer David Mizell served as Assistant Secretary of Economic Development under President Gerald Ford, as Assistant Secretary of Agriculture under President Ronald Reagan, and as a member of the Council on Physical Fitness under President George Bush; and
Whereas, Wilmer David Mizell was a staunch Republican who never wavered from his beliefs, which earned him admiration and respect from his peers, colleagues, and the citizens he represented; and
Whereas, Wilmer David Mizell was named the Southern Baptist Christian Athlete of the Year in 1951 and was presented the Distinguished Citizen Award of 1969 by George Washington University; and
Whereas, Wilmer David Mizell was active in civic and community organizations, including the American Legion, and served as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, Georgia; and
Whereas, Wilmer David Mizell was a faithful member of Faith Missionary Alliance Church in Winston-Salem, serving as a lay speaker, deacon, Sunday school superintendent, and church board member; and
Whereas, Wilmer David Mizell died on February 21, 1999; and
Whereas, Wilmer David Mizell was a devoted husband and loving father and grandfather; and
Whereas, Wilmer David Mizell is survived by his wife, Ruth Cox Mizell, two sons, David Mizell and Danny Mizell, two stepchildren, Larry Laws and Linda Pate, four grandchildren and three stepgrandchildren; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate  concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly expresses high regard for the life and service of Wilmer David "Vinegar Bend”Mizell and mourns the loss of one of North Carolina's beloved and respected citizens.
Section 2. The General Assembly extends its sincere sympathy to the family of Wilmer David Mizell for the loss of its family member.
Section 3. The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Wilmer David Mizell.
Section 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.