WHEREAS, the Reverend Dr. George Shedrick Taylor, an admired educator, administrator, and pastor who dedicated his life to helping those in need, died on September 30, 2013; and

WHEREAS, a native of South Carolina, George Taylor came to Norfolk as a teenager to work in the shipyards and earned a bachelor's degree from North Carolina A&T State College (now University) and a bachelor of divinity degree from Howard University; and

WHEREAS, George Taylor proudly served his country during World War II in the United States Army and continued his military service as a chaplain in South Korea, where he also oversaw operations for five war-theater orphanages; and

WHEREAS, George Taylor continued to serve his country as a member of the United States Army Reserve and earned a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma and a doctorate from Oklahoma State University; and

WHEREAS, in 1973, Dr. Taylor moved to Richmond and became director of the School of Arts and Sciences at Virginia Union University; he was also an associate professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, founding the university's juvenile delinquency program; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Taylor served as chair and professor in the Virginia State University Department of Sociology and Social Work and later founded and served as director of the administration of justice program until his retirement in 1998; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Taylor provided wise insight and inspired leadership to the congregations of Mount Olive Baptist Church, Good Hope Baptist Church, and Second Mount Olive Baptist Church, which he faithfully served; and

WHEREAS, a visionary leader, Dr. Taylor strove in all of his endeavors to provide meaningful service that would uplift those around him and enable them to achieve their potential; and

WHEREAS, a devoted husband and father, George Taylor will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Rebecca; children, Jana and Lynne, 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 a respected educator and beloved pastor, the Reverend Dr. George Shedrick Taylor; 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 the Reverend Dr. George Shedrick Taylor as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.