HJ175: Celebrating the life of Dr. Everette Lee May.

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WHEREAS, Dr. Everette Lee May from Richmond, a renowned and respected chemist and professor, died on August 9, 2008; and

WHEREAS, a native of Timberville, Virginia, Everette May excelled in school and earned an undergraduate degree at Bridgewater College and a doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Dr. May married Lois Marie Lee and they had two sons and shared 24 years of marriage before her death in 1964; and

WHEREAS, Dr. May went to work for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) after a brief stint at the National Oil Products Company; he remained at the NIH for 36 years, where he was particularly interested in medicinal chemistry, chemistry that could be used to help others; and

WHEREAS, recognized for his ground-breaking work and administrative abilities, Dr. May rose through the ranks over the years to become a chemist, senior chemist, scientist director, and finally the Chief of the Section on Medicinal Chemistry at the NIH; and

WHEREAS, a brilliant chemist, Dr. May had many significant achievements, including synthesizing a compound that proved effective in combating malaria, which aided the Allied campaign during the Pacific Theater in World War II; and

WHEREAS, Dr. May was also the first person to synthesize a drug that is still used today in the treatment of heroin addicts; he was most proud of his work on an essentially nonaddictive alternative to morphine; and

WHEREAS, after his career with the NIH, Dr. May came to Richmond as a professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he continued his research and publication in addition to directing and mentoring postdoctoral research fellows; and

WHEREAS, Dr. May published numerous research papers; held seven patents; received numerous awards, including the Nathan B. Eddy Memorial Award, and three awards from the American Chemical Society; and served as a consultant for the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Problems of Drug Dependence, United Nations Narcotics Laboratory in Vienna, Austria, and the World Health Organization; and

WHEREAS, Dr. May?s significant contributions to the field of medicinal chemistry continue to impact the quality of life for many individuals today; and

WHEREAS, despite his busy and successful professional career, Dr. May was a devoted family man who coached his children in various sports when they were young and as they grew into adulthood, he continued his close relationship with his children; and

WHEREAS, Everette May will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 44 years, Helen; sons, Everette and Phillip and their families; step-daughters, Virginia and Victoria and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a devoted chemist and outstanding Virginian, Dr. Everette Lee May; 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. Everette Lee May as an expression of the General Assembly?s respect for his memory.

WHEREAS, Dr. Everette Lee May from Richmond, a renowned and respected chemist and professor, died on August 9, 2008; and

WHEREAS, a native of Timberville, Virginia, Everette May excelled in school and earned an undergraduate degree at Bridgewater College and a doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Dr. May married Lois Marie Lee and they had two sons and shared 24 years of marriage before her death in 1964; and

WHEREAS, Dr. May went to work for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) after a brief stint at the National Oil Products Company; he remained at the NIH for 36 years, where he was particularly interested in medicinal chemistry, chemistry that could be used to help others; and

WHEREAS, recognized for his ground-breaking work and administrative abilities, Dr. May rose through the ranks over the years to become a chemist, senior chemist, scientist director, and finally the Chief of the Section on Medicinal Chemistry at the NIH; and

WHEREAS, a brilliant chemist, Dr. May had many significant achievements, including synthesizing a compound that proved effective in combating malaria, which aided the Allied campaign during the Pacific Theater in World War II; and

WHEREAS, Dr. May was also the first person to synthesize a drug that is still used today in the treatment of heroin addicts; he was most proud of his work on an essentially nonaddictive alternative to morphine; and

WHEREAS, after his career with the NIH, Dr. May came to Richmond as a professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he continued his research and publication in addition to directing and mentoring postdoctoral research fellows; and

WHEREAS, Dr. May published numerous research papers; held seven patents; received numerous awards, including the Nathan B. Eddy Memorial Award, and three awards from the American Chemical Society; and served as a consultant for the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Problems of Drug Dependence, United Nations Narcotics Laboratory in Vienna, Austria, and the World Health Organization; and

WHEREAS, Dr. May?s significant contributions to the field of medicinal chemistry continue to impact the quality of life for many individuals today; and

WHEREAS, despite his busy and successful professional career, Dr. May was a devoted family man who coached his children in various sports when they were young and as they grew into adulthood, he continued his close relationship with his children; and

WHEREAS, Everette May will be sorely missed by his loving wife of 44 years, Helen; sons, Everette and Phillip and their families; step-daughters, Virginia and Victoria and their families; and numerous other friends and family members; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a devoted chemist and outstanding Virginian, Dr. Everette Lee May; 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. Everette Lee May as an expression of the General Assembly?s respect for his memory.