Bill Text: VA HR391 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Brian M. Clukey.
Sponsorship: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 20-2)
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-20 - Bill text as passed House (HR391ER) [HR391 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2017-HR391-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Brian M. Clukey, an inspirational advocate for people with disabilities and an active member of the Falls Church community, died on January 7, 2017; and
WHEREAS, a native of Syracuse, New York, Brian Clukey became the first child with Down syndrome accepted into the ARC Preschool in Syracuse, then enrolled in a special education elementary school program and participated in work-study training; and
WHEREAS, Brian Clukey was the first student with Down syndrome to graduate from the North Syracuse Central School District, receiving a standing ovation from his classmates; and
WHEREAS, after graduation, Brian Clukey worked at a Marriott Hotel, then moved to Northern Virginia with his family in 1987; he held jobs at a passport office, a law firm, and the National Association of Social Workers, and he worked part-time at Mary Riley Styles Public Library and the Falls Church Giant; and
WHEREAS, Brian Clukey was a staunch advocate for people with developmental disabilities and their families at the local, state, and national levels, serving as president of People First and as a board member of The Arc Northern Virginia; he was appointed to two terms on the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, where he served on the executive committee, and was appointed to President William Jefferson Clinton's Council for People with Disabilities; and
WHEREAS, an inspiration for other people living with developmental disabilities, Brian Clukey moved into an apartment with roommates in 1990, then purchased a condominium in Falls Church in 1998, residing there with drop-in support until 2015; he was also a member of the Fairfax Adult Social Club and Meet and Mingle and was an accomplished world traveler; and
WHEREAS, Brian Clukey is fondly remembered and will be greatly missed by his parents, John and Marcia; siblings, Denise and John; 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 Brian M. Clukey, a member of the Falls Church community who touched countless lives as an advocate for disability rights; 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 Brian M. Clukey as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.
