Bill Text: VA HJR410 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Virginia House Joint Resolution 410 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Madonna Griffin Cote.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 5-0)

Status: (Passed) 2016-03-10 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ410ER) [HJR410 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2016-HJR410-Enrolled.html

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 410 Celebrating the life of Madonna Griffin Cote.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 4, 2016 Agreed to by the Senate, March 10, 2016

WHEREAS, Madonna Griffin Cote of Fredericksburg, who served with distinction as director of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library for 34 years and led it during a time of significant growth, a respected leader of statewide library associations, and a devoted mother and grandmother, died on February 19, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Madonna "Donna" Griffin Cote was born in Chicago and grew up in Triangle and Fredericksburg; she graduated from Montfort Academy and Gar-Field High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Mary Washington College, now known as the University of Mary Washington, and a master's degree from The Catholic University of America; and

WHEREAS, in 1971, Donna Cote began her career with the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL); at that time, the library system had only two locations, one at the former Lafayette School in Fredericksburg, and a storefront branch in Colonial Beach in Westmoreland County; and

WHEREAS, Donna Cote became director of the CRRL in 1981, providing outstanding leadership until she retired in 2015; during her tenure, the library system quadrupled in size, and today, eight newly constructed or renovated branch libraries are found in the City of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Westmoreland Counties; and

WHEREAS, Donna Cote also lent her time and talents to statewide library organizations; she was president of the Virginia Library Association and served for many years on the association's Legislative Committee, playing a key role in drafting state standards for public libraries in conjunction with the Library of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, additionally, Donna Cote made many valuable contributions as president of the Virginia Public Library Directors Association, and she was a longtime member of the board of Montfort Academy; and

WHEREAS, the recipient of many awards and accolades and highly regarded by her peers, Donna Cote was honored with the Elizabeth M. Lewis Award from the Virginia Public Library Directors Association for her enthusiasm, nurturing spirit, and love of libraries, and she also was named the association's Outstanding Library Director in 2003; and

WHEREAS, Donna Cote, who was predeceased by her son, Daniel, will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by her children, Gillian, Clare, and Pierce, and their families; dear friend David Baker; and many other family members, friends, and colleagues who recall her boundless generosity and compassion; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Madonna Griffin Cote of Fredericksburg, the former director of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, an enthusiastic advocate for libraries, and a devoted mother and grandmother; 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 Madonna Griffin Cote as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.