HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 462 Offered March 6, 2006 Celebrating the life of Clarence M. Gillis. ---------- Patrons-- Ware, O., Fralin and Griffith; Senator: Bell ----------

WHEREAS, Clarence M. Gillis, one of 11 children, was born in Ante, Virginia, in 1920 and died on February 8, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Clarence Gillis was educated in Brunswick County schools and received bachelor's and master's degrees from Virginia State College as well as an honorary doctorate from Virginia University of Lynchburg, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Clarence Gillis served his country in the United States Army and was honorably discharged; and

WHEREAS, a lifelong educator, Clarence Gillis taught and served as a principal in the Isle of Wight County school system and was also a principal at the former Booker T. Washington Junior High School in Roanoke; and

WHEREAS, Clarence Gillis was promoted to Director of Federal Programs and Director of Title I Programs for the Roanoke City schools; and

WHEREAS, Clarence Gillis was married to Elizabeth for 54 years and together they raised two daughters; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his family and career commitments, Clarence Gillis was an active participant in his community and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, the YMCA board of directors, and the Sigma Pi Phi Boule, where he served as Sire Archon of the Southeast Region; 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 a fine Virginian, Clarence M. Gillis; 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 Clarence M. Gillis, as an expression of the high regard in which his memory is held by the members of the General Assembly.