Bill Text: VA HJR138 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Linda J. Byrd.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-01-23 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ138ER) [HJR138 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-HJR138-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Linda J. Byrd, a highly admired community leader and a passionate educator, was selected as the City of Chesapeake's 2019 Woman of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Linda Byrd dedicated more than 40 years of service to the students of Chesapeake Public Schools as both a teacher and school administrator; and
WHEREAS, Linda Byrd taught science, biology, and chemistry at Crestwood High School, Indian River Junior High School, and Great Bridge High School and subsequently served as assistant principal of Oscar Smith High School and principal of Crestwood Middle School; and
WHEREAS, best known for her role as "Head Hawk" of Hickory High School, Linda Byrd was the founding principal of the school in 1996 and quickly established a sense of pride and identity among the faculty and student body; and
WHEREAS, Linda Byrd completed her career as the director of secondary curriculum and instruction for Chesapeake Public Schools and has continued to serve as a mentor to young teachers even after her well-earned retirement; and
WHEREAS, Linda Byrd's commitment to service is guided by her faith, and as a longtime member of Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church, she has supported young people through youth ministry activities and as director of Nurture, Outreach, and Witness; and
WHEREAS, Linda Byrd has coordinated American Red Cross blood drives at Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church, developed programs to provide fellowship to senior citizens, and served as a liaison between the church and local homeless shelters; and
WHEREAS, Linda Byrd has received numerous other awards and accolades for her work, including the 2005 W. Randolph Nichols Scholarship Foundation Community Service Award, and the 1992 Lifetime Membership Award and the 1993 Phoebe Apperson Hearst Outstanding Educator Award from the National Congress of Parents and Teachers; and
WHEREAS, Linda Byrd's legacy of excellence lives on in the countless students and teachers she has inspired, and she instilled her compassion, wisdom, and empathy in her own daughters, who have followed in her footsteps as community leaders; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Linda J. Byrd on her selection as the 2019 Chesapeake Woman of the Year; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Linda J. Byrd as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for her legacy of contributions to her fellow Chesapeake residents.
