GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 245

Short Title:  William Penn School Funds.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Jarrell, Boyd-McIntyre; Adams, Alexander, Barefoot, Bowie, Cunningham, Dedmon, Earle, Hill, Insko, Jeffus, McCrary, Mosley, Nye, Oldham, Smith, Wainwright, Wood, and Wright.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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March 4, 1999

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE HISTORIC WILLIAM PENN HIGH SCHOOL AND AUDITORIUM FOR USE AS AN EDUCATION CENTER.
Whereas, the High Point Normal and Industrial Institute was founded by Quakers and the members of High Point's African-American community in 1891; and
Whereas, during the 1930s, the school became a public high school and renamed for the famous Quaker leader, William Penn; and
Whereas, for many years, it was the only school that offered African-Americans an education; and
Whereas, alumni of the school include: Carl Chavis, World War II hero and Purple Heart recipient; John Coltrane, jazz musician; Sammie Chess, North Carolina's first African-American Superior Court Judge; and Bob Brown, Advisor on Minority Affairs to former President Richard Nixon; and
Whereas, the William Penn High School is a preeminent African-American historic landmark and warrants restoration; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to The William Penn Foundation, Incorporated, a nonprofit corporation, the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for the 1999-2000 fiscal year to provide the corporation with a portion of the funds needed to restore the William Penn High School and Auditorium.  In addition to providing educational opportunities to the citizens of High Point and serving as a cultural tourist attraction, the restored school and auditorium may serve as:
(1)	A facility for graduation ceremonies for Guilford Technical Community College.
(2)	A day care center and extended educational programming facility for area YMCAs.
(3)	A computer lab for the High Point Public Library.
(4)	An auditorium for an area middle school.
(5)	A facility for civic and art events.
Section 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1999.