Bernard Allen (U.S. politician)

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Bernard Allen (born c. 1937 - died 14 October 2006) was a Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state's thirty-third House district, predominantly composed of constituents in Raleigh, North Carolina but including some suburban areas of Wake County.

Allen was a retired educator from Raleigh, North Carolina with a master's degree in education from North Carolina Central University. Before being elected to the state House, Allen had served as a lobbyist for the North Carolina Association of Educators and for the North Carolina Secretary of State. In 2002, he ran for the House seat vacated by Dan Blue.

In the legislature, Allen was one of four principal sponsors of the bill to create a state lottery, which succeeded in 2005. He subsequently advocated for a nine-member oversight committee created to ensure that lottery profits are used for education.

When he died, Allen was serving in his second term (2005-2006 session) in the state House, and was seeking election to a third. He ran unopposed in the 2006 Democratic primary and was unopposed in the general election.

He suffered a mild stroke September 23, and spent several weeks recuperating at WakeMed. Friends and family said he kept working from his bed until his very last hours.

Allen died on 14 October 2006, aged 69.

[edit] References

• NBC17 "Rep. Allen dies at 69"
• State Government Radio obituary
• Resolution in North Carolina House of Representatives introduced to honor Rep. Allen