Bill Text: VA HJR175 | 2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Dr. Everette Lee May.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2010-02-08 - House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ175ER) [HJR175 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2010-HJR175-Enrolled.html
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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. |
