Capra, who died on Dec. 19, 2007, is largely credited with bringing big-time movie making to North Carolina, and particularly Wilmington.

"He was the father of filmmaking in this state," said Rep. Danny McComas, R-New Hanover. "He's the reason we have a thriving film industry."

Each chamber voted unanimously in support of HJR2774, which recognized Capra's contributions to the development of the film industry in North Carolina.

Capra discovered Wilmington during a 1983 scouting mission for the Stephen King horror film Firestarter, and later convinced the film's executive producer, Dino De Laurentiis, to build a studio facility in the area. When the film studio changed ownership in 1996, Capra became president of what became known as EUE/Screen Gems Studios, which today is the largest film production center east of California.

"Frank Capra was a great advocate for North Carolina," said Rep. Jim Harrell, D-Surry, one of the bill's sponsors. "We're fortunate he found Wilmington and was instrumental in building the studio there. Because of his leadership, we don't have to worry about the future of the film industry in this state."

Some of the movies filmed at EUE/Screen Gems Studios while Capra served as president, include Black Knight (2001), Domestic Disturbance (2001), Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002), A Walk to Remember (2002) and the television series Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill.

Capra also served as the Distinguished Visiting Professor of Film Studies at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and served as a member of the North Carolina Film Council and The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science and the Director's Guild of America.

Rep. Sandra Hughes, D-New Hanover, served on the film commission with Capra.

"We had a major change in Wilmington because of the film industry," Hughes said. "The change has been positive. We're glad he adopted Wilmington as his home."

Capra's work with the students at UNCW was noted by Sen. Julia Boseman, D-New Hanover, during her comments.

"Frank's presence will be sorely missed," Boseman said. "He worked with so many UNC Wilmington students. He is well deserving of this honor."

The resolution noted that Capra often screened his family's print of It's A Wonderful Life at UNCW during the month of December. The 1946 film, now a holiday TV tradition, was produced and directed by Capra's father, Frank Capra Sr.

Capra Jr. served as the grand marshal of the North Carolina Azalea Festival in 1995 and was named the 2007 Citizen of the Year by UNCW.

"He had a low-key demeanor and was unlike anybody you might imagine in the movie industry," McComas said. "He was genuine."

Rep. Carolyn Justice, R-Pender, said she appreciated Capra's impact on the region, particularly by the number of people who got jobs because of the filmmaking industry.

"Because of him, so many lives have been improved," Justice said. "The many hundreds of people who work in this industry can trace their livelihood back to him."

Capra's early work as a filmmaker in the military was appreciated by Sen. Larry Shaw, D-Cumberland. Shaw recounted a number of training films produced by Capra that he watched during his stint in the military.

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