On February 22, the Real Estate Commission dedicated its Raleigh office building in honor of State Senator Tony Rand. More than 100 persons attended a dedication ceremony including Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue, members of the Council of State and General Assembly, members of the Real Estate Commission, and family and friends of Senator Rand and his wife, Karen.
Commission Executive Director Phillip Fisher presided over the ceremony which began with an invocation delivered by Senate Chaplain Mike Morris, followed by the presentation of colors by the Color Guard from the Army ROTC at Senator Rand’s alma mater, UNC-Chapel Hill.
Commission Vice-Chairman Marsha Jordan led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Kirby Ann Troutman sang the National Anthem. A choral group of Commission staff members accompanied by pianist Ronald Williams then performed a state anthem composed by Mr. Fisher entitled “The Longleaf Pine”.
In her keynote remarks, Lieutenant Governor Perdue praised Senator Rand for his leadership and contributions to North Carolina, and Commission Chairman Matthew J. “Rick” Watts formally dedicated the building “The Tony Rand Building.”
Senator Rand closed the ceremony by accepting the honor, stating that “The real estate industry in North Carolina is such an important part of what North Carolina is about…not only to the economy of our state but to the human condition, that persons have a place to live and call their own, a spot that is particular to them and a place of refuge.”
In a separate ceremony following the dedication of its office building, the Commission dedicated its conference room in memory of former Commission Chairman Billie J. Mercer who served on the Commission from 1995 until her passing in 2001. In addition to members of the Real Estate Commission and staff, the ceremony was attended by former Commission members Mona Hill, John Bridgeman and Kemp Sherron who served with Mrs. Mercer, and by Immediate Past-President of the N.C. Association of REALTORS® Connie Corey who was a close friend of Mrs. Mercer.
This article came from the May 2005-Vol36-1 edition of the bulletin.