WS Chronicle

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Larry D. Hall, the newly appointed secretary of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, is the recipient of the 2017 NCAE Friend of Education Award. Hall formerly served as the Democratic leader of the N.C. House of Representatives.

A member of the General Assembly since 2006, Hall worked to move North Carolina forward and was instrumental in legislation that is important to its citizens, including protecting and enhancing public education, making working families healthier with better benefits, restoring the early voting period, and honoring fallen soldiers.

Under his leadership, the N.C. House Democratic Caucus gained the most seats of any Democratic Caucus in a Republican majority controlled state – House or Senate – in the United States during the 2014 election. His actions led to him being named a Champion of N.C. Working Families, a 100 percent Environmental Champion, and a Defender of Justice. Hall has been recognized extensively as a community leader, receiving the NAACP’s President’s Award, the Equality in Legislation Leadership Award, and the Excellence from the Courtroom to the Capital Community Service Award.

Hall, who continues to be a voice for the people, is a native of Durham and was educated in its public school system. He earned a B.S. degree with honors in political science and business administration from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, and a J.D. from the University of Chapel Hill’s School of Law. A commissioned officer, Hall served 16 years in the United States Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserve.

NCAE President Mark Jewell presented the award to Hall on Friday, March 24, during the first business session of the NCAE Convention, held at the Marriott Raleigh Crabtree Valley Hotel.

NCAE is the state’s largest education advocacy organization for public school employees and represents active, retired, and student members.