IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1274 
Honoring the historic and community significance of the Chatham County 
Courthouse and expressing condolences to Chatham County and the 
town of Pittsboro for the fire damage sustained by the courthouse on 
March 25, 2010. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 20, 2010 
Mr. ETHERIDGE (for himself, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Mrs. MYRICK, 
Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. KISSELL, Mr. SHULER, Mr. JONES, Mr. WATT, 
Mr. COBLE, Ms. FOXX, Mr. MILLER of North Carolina, Mr. MCINTYRE, 
and Mr. MCHENRY) submitted the following resolution; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 
RESOLUTION 
Honoring the historic and community significance of the 
Chatham County Courthouse and expressing condolences 
to Chatham County and the town of Pittsboro for the 
fire damage sustained by the courthouse on March 25, 
2010. 
Whereas, on March 5, 1881, the General Assembly of North 
Carolina approved legislation allowing the Board of Jus-
tices of Chatham County to replace the existing 
architecturally unsound Chatham County courthouse with 
a new facility and provided the county with construction 
bonds of up to $12,000; 
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•HRES 1274 IH 
Whereas Thomas B. Womack designed the plans for the 
Chatham County Courthouse, and J. Bynum and William 
Lord London of Pittsboro, North Carolina, were awarded 
the construction contract; 
Whereas, on September 1, 1881, members of Columbus 
Lodge 102 laid the cornerstone of the new courthouse in 
Pittsboro, and on July 4, 1882, the new courthouse was 
completed; 
Whereas the Chatham County Courthouse is a three-story 
brick structure with a two-story classical portico topped 
by a distinguishing three-stage cupola; 
Whereas county courthouses are focal points of justice and 
the rule of law in communities across the country, and 
the Chatham County Courthouse serves as the central 
landmark of Pittsboro and Chatham County; 
Whereas the historic Chatham County Courthouse was par-
tially destroyed by a tragic fire that broke out on March 
25, 2010, at approximately 4:15 p.m; 
Whereas firefighters, led by Chatham Country Fire Marshal 
Thomas Bender, courageously fought the blaze and pro-
tected surrounding buildings from damage; 
Whereas government officials of the North Carolina Adminis-
trative Office of the Courts, Chatham County, and the 
town of Pittsboro have worked tirelessly to ensure the 
continuity of judicial operations in Chatham County and 
to develop a plan to restore the courthouse; and 
Whereas the North Carolina court system, Chatham County, 
and the town of Pittsboro experienced a significant and 
tragic loss as a result of the March 25, 2010, fire: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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•HRES 1274 IH 
(1) expresses condolences to the North Carolina 
court system, Chatham County, and the town of 
Pittsboro for the tragic loss of the Chatham County 
Courthouse; 
(2) commends the heroic actions of the Chat-
ham County firefighters and first responders who 
worked tirelessly to combat the Courthouse fire, 
minimize the damage to the Courthouse and the his-
toric materials contained therein, and protect the 
public; and 
(3) recognizes the community significance of 
the Courthouse as both the most significant historic 
landmark and the cornerstone of justice and the rule 
of law in Chatham County. 
Æ 
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