HJ6019: Celebrating the life of of Russell Y. Garth.
Patrons-- Englin, Albo, Amundson, Brink, Bulova, Caputo, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Hugo, Hull, Lingamfelter, Marsden, Marshall, R.G., Miller, J.H., Moran, Nichols, Plum, Poisson, Rust, Scott, J.M., Shannon, Sickles, Toscano, Vanderhye and Watts
WHEREAS, Russell Y. Garth of Arlington, a lifelong educator and respected advocate for his fellow citizens with disabilities, died on May 15, 2008, from complications of ALS; and
WHEREAS, Russell “Rusty” Garth was born and grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and received a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University, a master’s degree in English from Indiana University, and completed doctoral work in higher education at Stanford University; and
WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished career as an educator, Russell Garth was committed to excellence in education for Virginia’s young people, especially in the reform and improvement of postsecondary education; and
WHEREAS, from 1987 through 2008, Russell Garth served as the exemplary executive vice president of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC); and
WHEREAS, during his tenure, Russell Garth helped develop the CIC’s annual Presidents Institute into the largest gathering of college and university presidents in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Russell Garth previously served as deputy director of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, which is administered by the United States Department of Education, and as a staff member to the California Postsecondary Education Commission; and
WHEREAS, Russell Garth made contributions to the study of developmental learning, such as his insights as coeditor of the book Learning in Groups,which was published in 1983; and
WHEREAS, the father of a son born with disabilities, Russell Garth became a caring and dedicated champion for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Russell Garth received numerous accolades over the years, including distinguished service awards for his many contributions to his community from the Arc of Northern Virginia and the Arlington County Department of Human Services; and
WHEREAS, Russell Garth will be fondly remembered for his compassion for others and his kind and generous nature and will be greatly missed by his devoted wife of 38 years, Judi; his daughter, Erin, and son, Ryan; his brother, Dale Garth; and many friends and colleagues throughout the Commonwealth and the nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of an outstanding Virginian, Russell Y. Garth; 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 Russell Y. Garth as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.