Bill Text: VA HJR993 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Pierre Paul Saunier, Jr.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 59-31)
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-23 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ993ER) [HJR993 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2017-HJR993-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Pierre Paul Saunier, Jr., of Albemarle County, a champion for diversity at the University of Virginia who made many contributions to the Charlottesville community, died on February 8, 2017; and
WHEREAS, a native of Petersburg, Pierre Paul Saunier, Jr., attended public and private schools in Henrico County and graduated from the University of Richmond; he joined many of the other young men of his generation in service to the nation during World War II, rising to the rank of lieutenant in the United States Navy; and
WHEREAS, after his honorable military service, Paul Saunier worked as a journalist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, as a public relations consultant, and as an assistant to a United States Congressman; and
WHEREAS, from 1960 to 1967, Paul Saunier served as an assistant to the president of the University of Virginia, and he held several other positions at the university, including administrator for equal opportunity programs; and
WHEREAS, most notably, Paul Saunier led efforts to increase diversity at the University of Virginia; traveling to high schools throughout the Commonwealth, he led a recruitment drive that helped increase applications among African American students from 12 in 1967 to more than 100 in 1970; and
WHEREAS, Paul Saunier built strong relationships with all students, and he personally helped African American students thrive at the University of Virginia; he worked alongside members of the community to desegregate local businesses to ensure that African American students could eat and shop on the Corner with their peers; and
WHEREAS, Paul Saunier also played a pivotal role in welcoming the University of Virginia's first coeducational classes, after the College of Arts and Sciences began admitting female students in 1969; and
WHEREAS, Paul Saunier offered his expert leadership to the Charlottesville Albemarle Economic Development Commission, the Charlottesville Albemarle Airport Commission, and the Charlottesville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board; and
WHEREAS, Paul Saunier was the founding president of the Ivy Creek Foundation, which worked with local, regional, and state partners to establish the Ivy Creek Natural Area in Albemarle County; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife, Jane, Paul Saunier will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Julia, Edward, Hayden, David, and Paul, 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 hereby note with great sadness the loss of Pierre Paul Saunier, Jr., a civil rights activist who made lasting contributions to the University of Virginia and the Charlottesville community; 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 Pierre Paul Saunier, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
