HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 949 Offered February 19, 2007 Celebrating the life of John A. Van de Walle. ----------
Patrons-- Waddell, Abbitt, Alexander, Armstrong, BaCote, Bowling, Brink, Bulova, Byron, Callahan, Caputo, Carrico, Cline, Dance, Dudley, Englin, Gilbert, Hargrove, Howell, A.T., Hull, Ingram, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Kilgore, Lewis, Marsden, Marshall, R.G., McClellan, McEachin, McQuigg, Melvin, Miller, P.J., Nixon, Phillips, Plum, Poisson, Reid, Shannon, Spruill, Toscano, Tyler, Valentine, Ward, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts and Welch; Senators: Bell, Colgan, Devolites Davis, Hawkins, Herring, Howell, Lambert, Locke, Miller, Puckett, Reynolds, Wagner and Williams
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WHEREAS, Dr. John A. Van de Walle of Midlothian, professor emeritus of education at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), died suddenly and unexpectedly on December 2, 2006; and

WHEREAS, John A. Van de Walle graduated cum laude from Bellarmine College in 1965 with a degree in mathematics, earned his master's degree in mathematics at St. Louis University in 1967, and in 1972, earned his doctoral degree in mathematics education from Ohio State University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Van de Walle began his career at VCU in 1973, where he worked for 30 years with both pre-service and in-service teachers of all grade levels; and in May of 2000, he earned VCU’s Charles P. Ruch Award for Excellence in Teaching; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Van de Walle was one of the most renowned mathematics educators in the country and the author of Elementary and Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally, the book that, in its sixth edition, is the leading text and resource in the United States and Canada for teaching K-8 mathematics; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Van de Walle served on a variety of committees for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) while a member of the NCTM Board of Directors from 1998 to 2001; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Van de Walle’s professional passion was helping teachers teach mathematics through problem solving that encourages children’s conceptual development in mathematics; and he served as a popular and oft-requested speaker at local, regional, and national organizations for teachers, supervisors, and educators; and

WHEREAS, a beloved community benefactor, Dr. Van de Walle donated his time and many talents by helping to build houses for Habitat for Humanity, and he volunteered his professional expertise by working with teachers and children at his granddaughter’s school, Robious Elementary in Midlothian; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Van de Walle was a faithful member of the St. Edward’s Catholic Church, where he volunteered as an altar minister and lector; and

WHEREAS, John Van de Walle’s energy, generosity, and exuberance for life will be greatly missed by his beloved wife of 40 years; his children and their families, including three wonderful grandchildren; his brother and sister and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine educator and outstanding Virginian, Dr. John A. Van de Walle; 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 Dr. John A. Van de Walle as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.