HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 169 Offered January 12, 2006 Celebrating the life of Geri Hogwood Barefoot. ---------- Patron-- Dance ----------

WHEREAS, Geri Hogwood Barefoot, longtime resident, businesswoman, and community activist in Dinwiddie County, died on September 17, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Geri Hogwood Barefoot, a frequent public speaker at the Dinwiddie Board of Supervisors meetings, was a force in the development of local public policy for many years; and

WHEREAS, as the consummate businesswoman, Geri Hogwood Barefoot served the Dinwiddie community as co-owner of Barefoot Quality Plumbing and Heating, and as a founding member of the political action group, Citizens for a Better Dinwiddie, she was on the frontline of issues affecting the community, such as biosolid policies, the sexual predator facility debate, and public access to local government; and

WHEREAS, a tremendous asset to the Dinwiddie community, Geri Hogwood Barefoot used her enormous gifts and talents to work with people, and even those who disagreed with her were impressed by her warm friendly nature and keen mind; and

WHEREAS, Geri Hogwood Barefoot was an avid environmentalist who actively participated in the Sierra Club; and

WHEREAS, a lover of animals, especially horses, she devoted considerable time to ensuring that all creatures received proper care, and her love of animals was a primary factor in her longtime membership in the Virginia Cowboy Association and her involvement with "Save our Shelters," (SOS), an organization that works closely with Dinwiddie Animal Control officials to find good homes for deserted cats and dogs; and

WHEREAS, Geri Hogwood Barefoot was a very special person in the life of her family, friends, associates, and community, who exemplified the ideals of American citizenship through devotion to her community and active participation in local government; and

WHEREAS, Geri Hogwood Barefoot's courage, compassion, honesty, and enthusiasm will be missed, and her model of real citizenship is worthy of emulation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Geri Hogwood Barefoot; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Geri Hogwood Barefoot, native daughter and citizen extraordinaire, as an expression of the respect in which her memory is held by the General Assembly.