NC HOUSE HONORS RALPH CAMPBELL JR.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF RALPH CAMPBELL, JR., FORMER STATE AUDITOR.

            Editor’s note - On Wednesday, June 8, 2011, the North Carolina House took time to honor the memory of Ralph Campbell Jr., the first African-American to serve as NC state auditor, and to serve on the NC Council of State.

            Sponsored by House representatives H.M. “Mickey” Michaux, Jr., Deborah Ross, Jennifer Weiss and Grier Martin, the resolution as read on the NC House floor read as follows…

            Whereas, Ralph Campbell, Jr., was born on December 7, 1946, in Raleigh, North Carolina, to Ralph Campbell, Sr., and June Kay Campbell; and

            Whereas, Ralph Campbell, Jr., graduated from J. W. Ligon High School in 1964, earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from St. Augustine's College in 1968, and furthered his education by attending the graduate program in business at North Carolina Central University; and

            Whereas, Ralph Campbell, Jr., served as an SP-4 in the Field Artillery Unit of the United States Army Reserves from 1971 to 1977; and

            Whereas, Ralph Campbell, Jr., served as a Field Auditor for the North Carolina Department of Revenue from 1977 to 1986, as a Plan Auditor for the State Health Benefits Office from 1986 to 1990, and as an Administrative Officer for the North Carolina Department of Insurance from 1990 to 1992; and

            Whereas, Ralph Campbell, Jr., was elected to the Raleigh City Council in 1985, reelected to three additional terms in 1987, 1989, 1991, and served as Mayor Pro Tem from 1989 to 1991; and

            Whereas, Ralph Campbell, Jr., was elected as State Auditor in 1992, becoming the first African-American to be elected to a statewide executive office in North Carolina; and

            Whereas, Ralph Campbell, Jr., was reelected State Auditor for two additional terms in 1996 and 2000; and

            Whereas, during his tenure as State Auditor, Ralph Campbell, Jr., helped upgrade technology in the State Auditor's Office and completed more than 3,600 audits of various State departments and agencies; and

            Whereas, in 2005, Ralph Campbell, Jr., founded R. Campbell and Associates, a firm that specialized in auditing, information systems, and consulting services, and served as the firm's CEO and President; and

            Whereas, Ralph Campbell, Jr., later worked with the Government Accounting Office in Washington, D.C.; and

            Whereas, Ralph Campbell, Jr., served as a member of several professional organizations, including the National State Auditors Association, as president; the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers; Southeastern Inter-Governmental Audit Forum, as chair; Association of Certified Fraud Examiners; National Forum for Black Public Administrators; the National Electronic Commerce Coordinating Council; and the Electronic Benefits Transfer Council's Fraud and Audit Committee, as chair; and Whereas, Ralph Campbell, Jr., rendered distinguished service to many State boards and commissions, including the North Carolina Information Resource Management Commission, serving as chair; the North Carolina Local Government Commission; the North Carolina Capital Planning Commission; the North Carolina Educational Facilities Finance Agency Board; the Public School Administrators Task Force; and Local Government Partnership Council; and

            Whereas, Ralph Campbell, Jr., was devoted to his community, serving on the Downtown Raleigh Alliance; the St. Augustine's College Board of Trustees; the Shaw Divinity School Board of Trustees; the North Carolina Black Elected Municipal Officials, as Treasurer; the Triangle J Council of Governments, World Class Region; the Raleigh United Negro College Fund, as co-chair; the North Carolina Black Leadership Caucus, as treasurer; the National League of Cities Human Development Steering Committee; the Wake County Education Foundation; the Wake United Way; and the Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts of America; and

            Whereas, Ralph Campbell, Jr., was active in several fraternal organizations, including Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Widow's Son Lodge No. 4, and Kabala Temple No. 177; and

Whereas, as a result of his commitment to his community and public service, Ralph Campbell, Jr., was honored with several awards and distinctions, including an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Livingstone College in 2003, the North Carolina Electronics and Information Technologies Association's Award for Public Leadership in Technology in 2000, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Auditor General's Integrity Award in 1995, an Honorary Doctor of Christian Letters from Shaw University Divinity School in 1991, an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from St. Augustine's College in 1990, the State of North Carolina's Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 1985, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity's Omega Man of the Year in 1984; and

            Whereas, Ralph Campbell, Jr., was a member of St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Raleigh; and

            Whereas, Ralph Campbell, Jr., died on January 11, 2011, at the age of 64; and

            Whereas, Ralph Campbell, Jr., leaves to mourn his loss two brothers, Bill Campbell and Edwin Campbell; a sister, Mildred Campbell Christmas; and five nieces and nephews; Now, therefore, Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

            SECTION 1. The House of Representatives honors the memory of Ralph Campbell, Jr., and expresses the deep gratitude and appreciation of this State and its citizens for his life and service to North Carolina.

            SECTION 2. The House of Representatives extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Ralph Campbell, Jr., for the loss of a beloved family member.

            SECTION 3. The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Ralph Campbell, Jr.

         SECTION 4. This resolution is effective upon adoption.

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