HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 274 Offered February 6, 2006 Commending Dr. Jo Lynne DeMary. ----------
Patrons-- Tata, Reid, Abbitt, Albo, Alexander, Amundson, Armstrong, Athey, BaCote, Barlow, Bell, Bowling, Brink, Bulova, Byron, Callahan, Caputo, Carrico, Cline, Cole, Cosgrove, Cox, Crockett-Stark, Dance, Dudley, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Fralin, Frederick, Gear, Gilbert, Griffith, Hall, Hamilton, Hargrove, Hogan, Howell, A.T., Howell, W.J., Hugo, Hull, Hurt, Iaquinto, Ingram, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Jones, S.C., Kilgore, Landes, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Lohr, Marsden, Marshall, R.G., May, McClellan, McEachin, McQuigg, Melvin, Miller, Moran, Morgan, Nixon, Nutter, O'Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Parrish, Peace, Phillips, Plum, Poisson, Purkey, Putney, Rapp, Rust, Saxman, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Shannon, Sherwood, Shuler, Sickles, Spruill, Suit, Toscano, Tyler, Valentine, Waddell, Ward, Wardrup, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts, Welch, Wittman and Wright; Senators: Bell, Blevins, Chichester, Colgan, Cuccinelli, Deeds, Devolites Davis, Edwards, Hanger, Hawkins, Herring, Houck, Howell, Lambert, Locke, Lucas, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, Miller, Newman, Norment, Obenshain, O'Brien, Potts, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Rerras, Reynolds, Ruff, Saslaw, Stolle, Stosch, Ticer, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins, Whipple and Williams
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WHEREAS, for more than 35 years, Dr. Jo Lynne DeMary has served in the Virginia public school system as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, elementary school supervisor, director of special education, and assistant superintendent for public schools; and

WHEREAS, Dr. DeMary served as acting superintendent of public instruction from December 9, 1999, to June 1, 2000, and as Superintendent of Public Instruction from June 1, 2000, to January 1, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Dr. DeMary has the distinction of being the first woman to serve as State Superintendent of Public Instruction since the public school system in Virginia was created in 1870; and

WHEREAS, Dr. DeMary brought a high level of competence and ability to the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction with her extensive experience as an educator and administrator in the Virginia public school system and her broad knowledge of the issues relating to public education; and

WHEREAS, as a member of the Council of Chief State School Officers, the Task Force on School Health and Safety, the International Committee, the State Partnership Board of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the Education Commission of the States, Dr. DeMary’s commitment to public education has exceeded the boundaries of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Dr. DeMary's service and commitment to the Virginia public school system and its students have had a profound positive impact on the students of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Dr. Jo Lynne DeMary who has ably and gracefully served the Virginia Public School System for more than 35 years; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. Jo Lynne DeMary.