North Carolina's only father and son to both serve as lieutenant governor were honored by Lt. Governor Walter Dalton and the General Assembly on Monday night, June 21, in Raleigh.

Wadesboro's Hoyt Patrick Taylor Sr. served as North Carolina's lieutenant governor from 1949-1953 and his son, Hoyt Patrick Taylor Jr., served from 1969-1973.

The General Assembly passed a resolution in honor of the two men during its Monday night session, and Dalton formally renamed the conference room in The Hawkins-Hartness House, the historic house located in downtown Raleigh that houses his offices, in honor of the Taylors.

"We have issued a declaration that while I'm in office, the conference room will be named after them," Dalton said. "We're also working with the family to get a father-son portrait to hang over the fireplace."

Both father and son are well known in Wadesboro and both practiced law in Anson County for many years. Both also served their country through military service.

Taylor Sr. served during World War I and was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart, while Taylor Jr. fought in in World War II and the Korean War. "There is no question that these are very dedicated individuals," Dalton said.

A graduate of Wake Forest, Taylor Sr. worked with numerous charitable organizations, including Anson County Post No. 31 of the American Legion and Wadesboro Rotary and Executives Club. He was also elected mayor of Wadesboro, and also served as chair of the board of trustees of Meredith College, a member of the board of trustees of the University of North Carolina, and chair of the board of trustees of the State Board of Education.

He was elected to the General Assembly in 1936 and served in the North Carolina Senate for terms in 1937, 1939 and 1943. He also served as the chair of the Committees on Finance and Appropriations. Later, he served Governor Robert Cherry as his legislative assistant and finally served as lieutenant governor of the state. Hoyt Taylor Sr. died on April 12, 1964 at the age of 74.

Pat Taylor Jr. received a bachelor's degree and a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Taylor practiced law in Wadesboro for several years with Neal Jones, and served in the North Carolina House of Representatives for six terms between 1955 and 1966. During his tenure, he was appointed chairman of the Judiciary Committee. In his final term, he was elected speaker of the House of Representatives, which Dalton said "only a handful of people" can claim. In 1968, he was elected lieutenant governor. He was the author of "Fourth Down and Goal to Go," an anthology based on his personal and political experiences.

Taylor Jr. held a series of civic-oriented positions on various boards and committees, including the board of trustees and the board of governors of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, board of trustees of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and chair of the board of trustees of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.

He and his wife of almost 60 years, Elizabeth, reside in Wadesboro. South Piedmont Community College's Lockhart-Taylor Center is named for the couple.

"These are two great men that represented a very unique part of North Carolina history," Dalton said.

Anson County's representative in the N.C. House of Representatives, Pryor Gibson, praised the Taylors Monday night. "The greatest single honor I will ever have as a legislator is to know that I undeservingly occupy his seat on this floor," Gibson said of the Taylors, later adding, "We are soon to dedicate rooms in their honor, collect papers, documents and archive the Taylor history for those who come after us… and it will chronicle the Taylor legacy of legal reform, the foundation for UNC system, and our national leadership in many other areas… But legislators leave more… steady and thoughtful leadership during the racial strife of the 60s,  determined  guidance in establishing the nation’s first recognition and treatment of autism, the list is long and humbling on how much they did in their tenures."

Added N.C. Senator Bill Purcell, "I have found Pat Taylor Jr. to be a great individual, always showing concern for others as he did throughout his political career. In recent years I have picked Pat Taylor up on several occasions as we were both going to meetings and he always insisted that he meet me on Highway 74 that goes through Wadesboro rather than having me go out of the way to pick him up at his home which I would have gladly done."

The full resolution honoring the Taylors will be framed and displayed prominently, along with a portrait of father and son, in the Legislative Building in Raleigh.