Res. 2001-12

Whereas, Herman Harley West was born in a log cabin on Taylor's Creek in Cherokee County, North Carolina, on July 30, 1910, to David Bruce West and Nina Ensley West; and

Whereas, Herman Harley West left school at a tender age to become his father's "right arm" in the farming and timber business; and

Whereas, through hard work and ingeniousness, Herman Harley West founded and became president of Herman H. West and Company, America's oldest and largest wholly owned land clearing company; and

Whereas, during his career, Herman Harley West came to be known as "Bull" West; and

Whereas, Herman Harley West's company performed many projects, including the monumental task of clearing the huge Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Utah and Wyoming and the Libby Dam Reservoir on the Kooteni River in Montana; and

Whereas, Herman Harley West provided many jobs for the people of Western North Carolina at a time when there were few jobs available; and

Whereas, Herman Harley West was the first person in Cherokee County to fly his own plane for business purposes from the Murphy‑Andrews Airport; and

Whereas, Herman Harley West exhibited a keen interest in politics on the local and national levels; and

Whereas, Herman Harley West served with honor and distinction in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1961 and 1963; and

Whereas, in 1968, Herman Harley West was elected to the State Senate, becoming the first Republican in 40 years, and the second Republican Senator elected from his district since the Civil War; and

Whereas, while in the legislature, Herman Harley West helped secure funding for Tri‑County Community College in Murphy, making it the first community college to receive an appropriation for capital improvements; and

Whereas, Herman Harley West played an instrumental role in the redistricting of Cherokee County, making it possible for the people of the county to elect members of the school board instead of their being appointed; and

Whereas, Herman Harley West served on the Advisory Board of the North Carolina Department of Transportation in 1987, the Board of the North Carolina Department of Transportation in 1975 through 1976, and the State Board of Social Services in 1960; and

Whereas, Herman Harley West made possible the establishment of the Cherokee County Historical Museum by loaning the museum his large collection of artifacts and providing his unwavering support of its projects; and

Whereas, Herman Harley West was always interested and ready to help in any endeavor that would benefit his mountain people, his State, and his nation; and

Whereas, Herman Harley West died on July 12, 1998; and

Whereas, Herman Harley West was a true patriot and a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather; and

Whereas, Herman Harley West is survived by his wife, Margie Bryson West, five sons, Maurice E. West, Marlin B. West, Wallace A. West, Robert West, and Representative Roger West, 19 grandchildren and 23 great‑grandchildren; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

SECTION 1. The General Assembly expresses high regard for the life and service of Herman Harley "Bull" West 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 Herman Harley West 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 Herman Harley West.

SECTION 4. This resolution is effective upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 15^th day of May, 2001.

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Beverly E. Perdue

President of the Senate

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James B. Black

Speaker of the House of Representatives