GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2001

RATIFIED BILL

RESOLUTION 2001-21

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 663

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE IMPERIAL FOOD PRODUCTS FIRE.

Whereas, on September 3, 1991, a grease fire swept quickly through the Imperial Food Products plant, a chicken processing plant in Hamlet, North Carolina; and

Whereas, blocked and unmarked exits and locked doors and the absence of fire alarms and a sprinkler system resulted in the deaths of 26 people and injuries to 56 others; and

Whereas, the victims of the Imperial Food Products plant fire were:

David Michael Albright

Peggy Jean Anderson

Margaret Teresa Banks

Fred Ernest Barrington

Josephine Barrington

Elizabeth Ann Bellamy

Gail V. Campbell

Rosie Ann Chambers

Josie M. Coulter

John R. Gagnon

Bertha C. Jarrell

Brenda Gail Kelly

Janice Marie Lynch

Michael Morrison

Rose Marie Peele

Mary Alice Quick

Cynthia Marie Ratliff

Martha E. Ratliff

Donald Bruce Rich

Minnie Mae Thompson

Cynthia S. Wall

Mary Lillian Wall

Jeffrey Antonio Webb

Rose Lynette Wilkins; and

Whereas, Patricia Hatcher, who received serious injuries in the fire, died in 2000; and

Whereas, Phillip Ray Dawkins, a Lance Company worker, also died in the fire; and

Whereas, the fire not only caused the loss of life and injury but also resulted in the closing of the Imperial Food Products plant and the loss of 200 jobs; and

Whereas, the fire is the worst industrial disaster in North Carolina history; and

Whereas, stricter workplace safety laws were enacted after the fire to help prevent this type of tragedy from happening again; Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the victims of the Imperial Food Products plant fire in Hamlet, North Carolina.

SECTION 2.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to each of the survivors and the families of the victims of the fire, and the Mayor of the City of Hamlet.

SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 21^st day of June, 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