Bill Text: VA HR317 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commending Sharon Stark.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-02-08 - Agreed to by House by voice vote [HR317 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2021-HR317-Introduced.html
WHEREAS, Sharon Stark, district director for Virginia's 11th Congressional District, retired in 2021 after 13 years of exceptional, generous service to constituents; and
WHEREAS, Sharon Stark learned the value of hard work and responsibility at a young age; after graduating from college, she began a career as a bank teller and became vice president of operations for a bank by the age of 29; and
WHEREAS, Sharon Stark subsequently worked as vice president of a residential and commercial real estate company, cultivating valuable expertise that would serve her well as a congressional aide; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, Sharon Stark was selected to join Virginia's 11th Congressional District Committee, serving as treasurer for many years, and in 2007, she served as finance chair for a successful state Senate campaign; and
WHEREAS, Sharon Stark joined the office of the Honorable Gerald E. Connolly as district director in 2009 and established an unparalleled reputation for constituent support and community engagement; and
WHEREAS, in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, Sharon Stark drew from her experience in banking and real estate to advise and assist constituents facing financial hardship, including families at risk of losing their homes; and
WHEREAS, Sharon Stark educated thousands of federal employees, retirees, and their families on health benefits through her Open Season event each year, and she helped constituents resolve refunds from the Internal Revenue Service or claim benefits from federal agencies like the Social Security Administration or the Department of Veterans Affairs; since 2011, she and her team helped constituents obtain nearly $20 million in one-time or retroactive benefits and $9 million per year in recurring benefits; and
WHEREAS, Sharon Stark also hosted countless town halls and roundtables on important, often contentious topics, and participated in numerous fairs, festivals, and other community engagement events; she established an art competition for students in the district to compete for scholarships and played a critical role in constituents achieving acceptance into military academies; and
WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sharon Stark delayed her retirement to again serve constituents facing hardship, helping more than 1,800 individuals secure small business loans and grants or resolve issues with economic impact payments; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Sharon Stark hereby be commended for her myriad personal and professional achievements on the occasion of her retirement; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Sharon Stark as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for her devoted service to the residents of Virginia's 11th Congressional District.
