Bill Text: VA HJR480 | 2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Dr. Robert M. Hazen.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 15-9)
Status: (Passed) 2012-03-08 - House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ480ER) [HJR480 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2012-HJR480-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, Dr. Robert M. Hazen, Clarence Robinson Professor of Earth Science at George Mason University, was honored by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia with a 2012 Outstanding Faculty Award; and WHEREAS, only the best of the Commonwealth's faculty at public and private colleges and universities receive the prestigious Outstanding Faculty Award, which recognizes superior accomplishments in teaching, research, and public service; and WHEREAS, a brilliant scholar, Dr. Hazen earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a doctorate from Harvard University and studied at Cambridge University as a National Science Foundation-North Atlantic Treaty Organization Postdoctoral Fellow; and WHEREAS, Dr. Hazen served as a staff scientist at the Carnegie Institution for Science's Geophysical Laboratory before joining George Mason University in 1989, where he has developed curricula to provide students with basic scientific literacy; and WHEREAS, Dr. Hazen's efforts to help nonscience majors and individuals in all walks of life understand the role of science in everyday life resulted in the co-authoring of two books with a fellow professor and the creation of two popular video courses; and WHEREAS, a groundbreaking scientist, Dr. Hazen's recent research focuses on the role of minerals in life's origins; he developed a new approach to mineralogy, named "mineral evolution," which explores the co-evolution of the geosphere and biosphere, and was honored for his many contributions to his field when the biomineral hazenite was named for him; and WHEREAS, a retired professional trumpeter, Dr. Hazen performed with numerous ensembles and was a member of the Washington Chamber Symphony, the National Philharmonic, the Washington Bach Consort, and the National Gallery of Art Orchestra; and WHEREAS, Dr. Hazen, the former president of the Mineralogical Society of America (MSA), has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades over the course of his distinguished career, including the American Chemical Society Ipatieff Prize; American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Deems Taylor Award; Educational Press Association Award; and MSA Distinguished Public Service Medal; and WHEREAS, a passionate and knowledgeable earth scientist, Dr. Hazen has greatly added to the body of knowledge in his field while broadening the knowledge and understanding of his students and inspiring future scientists; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Dr. Robert M. Hazen on his 2012 State Council of Higher Education for Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. Robert M. Hazen as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation of his dedication to scientific discovery and to the higher education of students in the Commonwealth. |
