NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1979 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 954

SENATE BILL 540

 

 

AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION TO COMPLETE DETAILS OF RESTORATION OF THE STATE CAPITOL.

 

Whereas, the State Capitol, constructed between 1833 and 1840, is one of the nation's finest surviving examples of the Greek Revival Style of architecture and has been designated a National Historic Landmark; and

Whereas, the State Capitol housed all of State government from 1840 until the 1880's and the General Assembly through 1961; and

Whereas, it is appropriate that the State of North Carolina accept responsibility for putting and keeping its Capitol in a condition worthy of its historic and symbolic importance; and

Whereas, the restoration of the State Capitol is nearing completion; and

Whereas, the State Capitol Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, is helping the State by obtaining gifts of money with which to finance the repair of the 1840 furnishings of the legislative chambers, to purchase additional furnishings and equipment, and to help carry out an effective educational program for the thousands of visitors to the Capitol; and

Whereas, the State Capitol Foundation, Inc., has obtained for the benefit of the State gifts and pledges of money and artifacts valued at seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000); and

Whereas, substantial contributions have been made to the State Capitol by many former and current legislators and other individuals and by organizations such as the Sir Walter Cabinet, the Junior League of Raleigh, the Hillsdale Fund, the Raleigh Junior Woman's Club, the Girl Scouts, and others; and

Whereas, most of these contributions to the Capitol, particularly including the one by the Sir Walter Cabinet, are for the purpose of providing valuable antique furnishings and equipment to be placed in areas of the State Capitol where their security, protection, and educational use are highly questionable, due to the lack of adequate staffing in the Capitol; and

Whereas, several elements of the restoration work in the State Capitol remain unfinished; Now, therefore,

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

Section 1.  There is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Administration for the 1979-80 fiscal year the sum of fifty-five thousand dollars ($55,000) and for the 1980-81 fiscal year the sum of twelve thousand dollars ($12,000) to complete the restoration of the State Capitol and to install an automated audiovisual system in the Capitol for the purpose of showing educational programs to school children and other visitors.

Sec. 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1979.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 8th day of June, 1979.