WHEREAS, Margaret Crowder-Johnson, M.D., a respected physician and devoted community leader, has diligently served the Petersburg community for the majority of her life; and

WHEREAS, Margaret Crowder attended Petersburg City Public Schools and earned a bachelor's degree from Virginia Union University and a medical degree from Howard University; while attending medical school, she met her future husband, the late Dr. Alfred G. Johnson, with whom she proudly raised a daughter, Dr. Karen Y. Johnson; and

WHEREAS, after completing residency in Ohio, Dr. Crowder-Johnson and her husband returned to the Commonwealth and made history as the first two African American specialists to open a private practice in Petersburg; and

WHEREAS, specializing in internal medicine, Dr. Crowder-Johnson cared for the health and well-being of her fellow Petersburg residents for 41 years; she was admired for her medical expertise and genuine care for her patients; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Crowder-Johnson worked to enhance the community by donating her time and wisdom as a member of the local chapters of Links, Inc., and Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., and a member of Old Dominion Medical Society, the National Medical Association, and the Southside Regional Medical Center Authority; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Crowder-Johnson remained active in the community after her retirement in 1998, serving as the board president of the Mary Carter Beacon House, a care center for elderly and handicapped adults; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Crowder-Johnson is an exemplar of community spirit and a role model for aspiring physicians in the Petersburg area and the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Margaret Crowder-Johnson, M.D., for her decades of service to the Petersburg community and the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Margaret Crowder-Johnson, M.D., as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for her dedication to caring for and serving others.