HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5081 Offered June 6, 2006 Celebrating the life of Laura Jean Anderson McBride. ----------
Patrons-- Caputo, Hugo, McQuigg, Moran and Rust; Senators: Cuccinelli, Herring and Puller
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WHEREAS, Laura Jean Anderson McBride, Director of Bands at Fairfax County Public Schools' Westfield High School, died of breast cancer on January 2, 2006, at the age of 48; and

WHEREAS, born in Urbana, Illinois, Laura McBride's first teaching position in the Washington area was as assistant band director at Woodbridge High School from 1991 to 1992 and as the director of bands at JEB Stuart High School in Falls Church from 1992 to 2000; and

WHEREAS, in September 2000, Laura McBride transferred to the new Westfield High School, where her remarkable bands consistently received superior ratings; and

WHEREAS, Laura McBride and her enthusiastic and talented band members excelled at the Virginia Band and Orchestra Director's Association band festival and earned acclaim for their outstanding performances at the Virginia Music Educators Association State Convention, the Festivals of Music Awards Ceremony in Boston, and the Bands of America Festival in Indianapolis; and

WHEREAS, Laura McBride touched the lives of numerous young people and will be fondly remembered for her great talent and skill as a teacher and band director, her commitment to quality music education, and her dedication to her students and their dreams for the future; and 

WHEREAS, in her honor, Westfield High School and the Music Booster Club has established the Laura McBride Music Education Scholarship for seniors who plan to attend a four-year, two-year, or technical institution to study music education; and

WHEREAS, an inspiration to all who knew her, Laura McBride will be missed by her husband, Robert, her mother, Barbara, and her two sisters, Janet and Beth; her beloved students, faculty, and staff of Westfield High School; and her countless friends and admirers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine Virginian, Laura Jean Anderson McBride; 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 Laura Jean Anderson McBride as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.