HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5109 Offered June 20, 2006 Celebrating the life of Shirley O. Nelson. ---------- Patrons-- Caputo and Plum ----------

WHEREAS, Shirley Nelson, respected and admired citizen of Chantilly and a dedicated minority youth advocate, died on March 27, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Nelson and her sweetheart and future husband Johnny Nelson both resided in Alabama during their youth and attended Alabama A & M University in Huntsville; and

WHEREAS, after graduation, Shirley Nelson was employed by IBM in Alabama, transferred in 1974 and continued to work for the corporation in Northern Virginia, retiring after 25 years of outstanding service; and

WHEREAS, a great believer in young people, Shirley Nelson benefited from the strong support of fellow minority students, teachers, and professionals while at college, and was compelled to establish a similar network in the Chantilly community; and

WHEREAS, in 1984 Shirley Nelson founded the Chantilly Pyramid Minority Student Achievement Committee to create a support system of mentors and tutors to help further the academic aspirations of minority students; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Nelson led the first meetings of the fledgling group at Chantilly Baptist Church, where concerned citizens addressed the many problems faced by minority students, teachers, and administrators, including barriers to academic education and achievement and to equal opportunity in the Fairfax County Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, an articulate spokesperson and longtime community benefactor, Shirley Nelson generously gave her time and immense talents to improve the quality of life of her fellow residents; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Nelson was a faithful member of Chantilly Baptist Church and an active participant in the church's numerous activities and missions; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Nelson will be fondly remembered for her passion and hard work for the minority students of the Commonwealth and will be missed by her devoted husband, Johnny Nelson, and her loving family, her numerous friends and admirers, and the congregation of Chantilly Baptist Church; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of an outstanding Virginian, Shirley O. Nelson; 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 Shirley O. Nelson as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.