HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 742 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled January 10, 2007 Commending Bessie Moorer. ---------- Patron-- Dance ----------

WHEREAS, Bessie Moorer is recognized as a respected citizen of the community of Ettrick and a tireless civil rights activist; and

WHEREAS, a native of Petersburg and a retired public school instructional assistant, Bessie Moorer became involved in politics at an early age and participated in many civil rights marches, voter registration activities, and protests, including marches in Selma, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, Bessie Moorer has been involved in numerous community and civic organizations, including the Prince Hall Auxiliary, the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority's Philos group, and the Petersburg Chapter of the Virginia State University Alumni Association; and

WHEREAS, Bessie Moorer has been particularly steadfast in her work with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), attending national and state conventions and leadership training sessions, organizing membership drives, leading a local NAACP youth group, and reactivating and becoming state chair for Women in the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, Bessie Moorer has been honored with many awards for her volunteer work, including, most recently, a Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Youth and College Division of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, Bessie Moorer is a devoted member of Gillfield Baptist Church in Petersburg, where she sings in the choir and has been president of the Parish Club and the Usher Board; and

WHEREAS, Bessie Moorer, whose motto is "If I can help someone as I journey along this life, then my living has not been in vain," is a proud American who continues to make a difference in the lives of children and adults; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Bessie Moorer for her leadership and her tireless volunteer efforts; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Bessie Moorer as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for her dedication to the citizens of her community and the Commonwealth.