SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 532 Offered February 19, 2007 Commending Thomas M. Berry, Jr. ---------- Patron-- Stosch ----------

WHEREAS, Thomas M. Berry, Jr., has served the certified public accountant (CPA) profession for 35 years in various capacities; and

WHEREAS, Thomas M. Berry, Jr., has served as the president and CEO of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) for 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Berry has served on the VSCPA’s board of directors, educational foundation, and other committees; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Berry is a nationally renowned member of the association profession and is a recipient of the Charles B. McFee award for excellence in association management; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Berry has brought prestige to the VSCPA by serving as the president of both the CPA Society Executives Association and the Virginia Society of Association Executives; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Berry has been dedicated to knowledge, growth, and learning by earning his degree magna cum laude in Spanish from Catholic University in 1964, his credential from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute of Organizational Management (IOM) in 1986, and his professional credential, Certified Association Executive (CAE), in 1983; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Berry has served on numerous national committees and task forces and diligently represented the VSCPA as a member of AICPA Council; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Berry has been referred to by colleagues and protégés as “the best kind of mentor; one who leads by example and holds himself to the highest levels of excellence and integrity” and “an old soul with infectious and unrelenting humor” and “someone who has made my life richer, more enlightened, and more aggressive towards truth, honor, and knowledge”; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Berry has heralded the CPA profession before innumerable audiences as a tireless patron and advocate; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and express its gratitude to Thomas M. Berry, Jr., for his positive influence on countless CPAs in all industries and his deep commitment that has supported a CPA Society staff and membership that display greatness, innovation, and fortitude; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Thomas M. Berry, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation of his extraordinary talents and his dedication to the CPA profession.