Bill Text: VA HR241 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Carol DeLong.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-04 - Bill text as passed House (HR241ER) [HR241 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HR241-Introduced.html
WHEREAS, Carol DeLong, an esteemed public servant and civic leader who made history as the first woman to serve as mayor of the City of Falls Church, died on December 9, 2023; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from what was formerly the New Jersey College for Women with a bachelor's degree in science in 1952, Carol DeLong earned a master's degree in organic chemistry from Washington State University; and
WHEREAS, Carol DeLong settled with her family in Falls Church in 1960 and quickly devoted herself to the betterment of her new home, serving as the Madison High School Parent Teacher Association president from 1969 to 1970 and as a member of the Falls Church Planning Commission from 1971 to 1974; and
WHEREAS, Carol DeLong proudly represented her constituents as a member of the Falls Church City Council from 1974 to 1990 and was selected by her fellow councilmembers to serve as vice mayor from 1976 to 1980 and then as mayor from 1980 to 1988, becoming the first woman to hold this distinguished position; and
WHEREAS, Carol DeLong's work with the Falls Church City Council included representing the locality on the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Transportation Planning Board; and
WHEREAS, Carol DeLong contributed to the growth and development of Falls Church over the years by advocating for ventures that improved the quality of life in the city, including the Winter Hill Apartments for the elderly and people with disabilities, the residential counseling center Aurora House, the Falls Church Farmers Market, and various infrastructure improvements; and
WHEREAS, Carol DeLong was the recipient of many notable accolades in recognition of her service to the community, such as the 1999 Mattie Gundry Award from the Falls Church Commission on Women and the 2002 Jane and Wayne Dexter Award from Citizens for a Better City, of which she was a longtime member; and
WHEREAS, Carol DeLong will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by her loving husband of 67 years, Chester; her children, Leslie, Alison, and Linda, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Carol DeLong, a trailblazing civic leader whose service and dedication left a profound and lasting impact on the City of Falls Church; 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 Carol DeLong as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for her memory.
