WHEREAS, Sharon Rebecca Bryant of Amherst County, the first woman chief of the Monacan Indian Nation, died on June 23, 2015; and

WHEREAS, a lifelong resident of Amherst County, Sharon Bryant dedicated her life to the noble service of others; and

WHEREAS, Sharon Bryant was elected chief of the Monacan Indian Nation in 2011; she was a staunch advocate for the well-being of her tribe and worked to achieve state and federal recognition, speaking before the United States Congress and the Virginia General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, Sharon Bryant represented the Monacan Indian Nation as a member of the Virginia Indian Tribal Alliance for Life, and she gave frequent presentations on her tribe to local civic organizations and churches; and

WHEREAS, a tireless volunteer, Sharon Bryant often visited elders in her tribe and delivered food to members of the community in times of need; she also helped provide Christmas presents for less fortunate children in the area; and

WHEREAS, Sharon Bryant enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community as a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Mission, where she served as a lay minister and was pursuing ordination as an Episcopal priest; and

WHEREAS, a caring and compassionate member of the community, Sharon Bryant will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by numerous family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Sharon Rebecca Bryant, a prominent leader in the Monacan Indian Nation; 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 Sharon Rebecca Bryant as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for her memory.