WHEREAS, Ed Turner has served the Commonwealth for more than 40 years as an expert on disability rights and a passionate advocate for individuals living with disabilities and their families, touching countless lives and helping Virginians with disabilities become active members of their communities; and

WHEREAS, a native of Accomack County, Ed Turner was born with cerebral palsy and grew up during a time when an education, community living, and career opportunities were not available or easily accessible for individuals with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, overcoming myriad challenges with the love and steadfast encouragement of his mother, Lucille Turner, Ed Turner graduated from high school, secured his first of many employment opportunities, and moved into his own apartment; and

WHEREAS, determined to further inspire others, Ed Turner moved to Richmond and became an assistant administrator at the Virginia Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, and later a training associate on disability and employment rights for many years at the Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center; and

WHEREAS, Ed Turner has been constant in his interest in the political process, has served on his party's State Central Committee for seven years, and was elected chair of the Third District Committee in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Ed Turner was appointed by Governor Timothy M. Kaine to serve as the Special Advisor on Disability Rights in the Workplace, and he has authored numerous publications on employment, self-advocacy, and workplace accommodations for individuals with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Ed Turner is most passionate about sharing his lifetime of experience and life lessons to empower Virginia's youth with disabilities by being a dedicated and valued instructor at the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities' Youth Leadership Summit; and

WHEREAS, Ed Turner now runs his own consulting business, works as a bipartisan advocate on behalf of Virginians with disabilities, and has earned the respect of members of the General Assembly on both sides of the aisle; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Ed Turner for his leadership and advocacy for individuals with disabilities across the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Ed Turner as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his perseverance and stalwart efforts to better the lives of all Virginians with disabilities.