SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5039 Offered June 19, 2006 Celebrating the life of Helen Lynch. ----------
Patrons-- Saslaw, Blevins, Chichester, Colgan, Cuccinelli, Deeds, Edwards, Hanger, Hawkins, Herring, Howell, Lambert, Locke, Lucas, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, Miller, Norment, Obenshain, O'Brien, Potts, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Rerras, Reynolds, Ruff, Stolle, Stosch, Ticer, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins, Whipple and Williams
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WHEREAS, Helen Lynch of Mason Neck, an admired and gracious citizen of Mason Neck and a beloved community philanthropist, died on June 18, 2006; and

WHEREAS, a native of Northern Virginia, Helen Lynch grew up in what is now Annandale; married her devoted husband, the late Edwin Lynch, and raised their children on a farm in Burke; and lived the rest of her life on Meadowood Farm on the Potomac River in Mason Neck; and

WHEREAS, Helen Lynch and her husband Edwin Lynch, who was a member of the House of Delegates for several terms, were longtime benefactors of George Mason University (GMU); and

WHEREAS, Helen and Edwin Lynch generously donated their 39-acre Mason Neck home, Point of View, valued at $4.2 million and $2.5 million in funds to GMU to be used for the construction and ongoing support of the conference center, programs, and activities of the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR); and

WHEREAS, the ICAR contribution reflects Helen Lynch's lifelong dedication to making a difference in the world and facilitating a more just and civil society; the ICAR facilities have not only been utilized for learning, but as a retreat for the broader community, where peaceful solutions may be found and conflicts may be resolved between individuals, groups, organizations, and even nations; and

WHEREAS, Helen and Edwin Lynch also funded educational endowments at George Mason University and awarded scholarships to aspiring musicians to attend the Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music in Winchester; and

WHEREAS, always concerned with the well-being of others, Helen Lynch over the years gave her time, talents, and gifts to countless civic organizations and worthy causes and was a great supporter of Gunston Hall, the Southern Poverty Center, the Salvation Army, and the Virginia Council of Human Relations, a group formed to support and advance the cause of civil rights; she and her husband were early supporters of the National Association of the Southern Poor, which later became the National Community Development Organization; and

WHEREAS, Helen Lynch was a faithful, lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and was actively involved in its many missions in Mason Neck, Northern Virginia, and around the globe; and

WHEREAS, Helen Lynch, like her late husband, often gave grants and other generous and wonderful gifts anonymously; she was very supportive of the community, as well as committed to excellence in education for all of the young people of the Commonwealth and to improving the quality of life of all of its citizens; and

WHEREAS, Helen Lynch will be fondly remembered for her generous and compassionate spirit, her great love of her family and her home, Mason Neck, and sorely missed by her loved ones and the citizens of Northern Virginia and the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of an outstanding Virginian, Helen Lynch; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Helen Lynch as an expression of the high regard in which her memory is held by the members of the General Assembly.