W. Craig Lawing
Encyclopedia
William Craig Lawing was a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
(1971–1976) and of the North Carolina Senate
(1977–1984) representing Mecklenburg County
, and served as President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate
for three terms (1979–1984). While a senator, Lawing was a sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment
, which the legislature rejected.
Lawing was the longest-serving president pro tem of the state senate until Marc Basnight
.
North Carolina House of Representatives
The North Carolina House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly. The House is a 120-member body led by a Speaker of the House, who holds powers similar to those of the President pro-tem in the state senate....
(1971–1976) and of the North Carolina Senate
North Carolina Senate
The North Carolina Senate is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly.Its prerogatives and powers are similar to those of the other house, the House of Representatives. Its members do, however, represent districts that are larger than those of their colleagues in the House. The...
(1977–1984) representing Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
-Air:The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte.- Intercity rail :With twenty-five freight trains a day, Mecklenburg is a freight railroad transportation center, largely due to its place on the NS main line between Washington and Atlanta...
, and served as President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate
President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate
The President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate is the highest-ranking officer of one house of the North Carolina General Assembly. The President of the Senate is the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, but the President Pro-Tem actually holds most of the power and presides in the...
for three terms (1979–1984). While a senator, Lawing was a sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution. The ERA was originally written by Alice Paul and, in 1923, it was introduced in the Congress for the first time...
, which the legislature rejected.
Lawing was the longest-serving president pro tem of the state senate until Marc Basnight
Marc Basnight
Marc Basnight served as a Democratic member of the North Carolina State Senate, representing the 1st District, from 1984 through his resignation just before the start of what would have been his 14th term in 2011...
.