HALIFAX — Halifax County will be the center of attention tomorrow at 11 a.m. when a joint session in Raleigh of the legislature reads into the record a resolution honoring the county’s 250th anniversary.

Advertisement

The resolution will be read again Saturday during the Fourth of July festivities at the Halifax County Courthouse, along with a resolution approved by the county commissioners. Sen. Ed Jones is expected to read the state resolution while Board of Commissioners Chairman Gene Minton will read the local resolution.

Senate Joint Resolution 1104 notes on Jan. 1, 1759, Edgecombe County was divided into Edgecombe and Halifax counties. It also notes the county was named for George Montagu, the second Earl of Halifax who served as president of the Board of Trade and was successful in extending commerce into North America.

The resolution honors the signing of the Halifax Resolves by the Fourth Provincial Congress, which met in Halifax on April 12, 1776. The document was the first official action taken by a colony demanding independence from Great Britain.

The document also recognizes the citizens of the county, saying, “The citizens of Halifax County have made significant contributions to the social, cultural, political and economic prosperity of the State of North Carolina,” and recognizes the county “has continued to grow and prosper through the continued dedication, insight and planning of the County’s concerned leaders and citizens.”

Commissioner Rives Manning, who also serves as the president of the county Historical Association, said several elected officials have been invited to the ceremony in Raleigh tomorrow.

The county document mirrors the Senate Joint Resolution and will be read by Minton at the new Halifax County Courthouse festivities, which get under way at 8 p.m. prior to the fireworks show.

The cast of “First for Freedom” will recreate the signing of the Halifax Resolves. There will be a color guard presentation and a few words spoken honoring veterans.

There will be no elaborate celebrations to mark the occasion, Manning said. “We can’t justify spending money for something like this with the way the economy is. This will be the birthday party.”