WHEREAS, for more than 27 years, Charlie Conner has ably served the residents of and visitors to the Commonwealth in various roles with the Department of Conservation and Recreation and Virginia State Parks; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Conner began working at Douthat State Park as a seasonal employee in 1990 while he was a high school student; in 1995, he became a full-time park ranger, in which capacity he managed interpretative programs, worked with volunteers, and oversaw park maintenance operations; and

WHEREAS, after his promotion to chief ranger in 2004, Charlie Conner attended Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy and has since performed numerous law-enforcement roles within Virginia State Parks, including the coordination of criminal and special investigations, agency accreditation, and the establishment of a new communications center; and

WHEREAS, in 2005, Charlie Conner was promoted to park manager at Douthat State Park and worked diligently to preserve the historical legacy of the park, which was one of the six original Virginia State parks constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as park manager of Douthat State Park, Charlie Conner led efforts to reopen the Green Pastures Recreation Area, an outpost of the park located in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, that was originally built for use by Black visitors during the segregation era; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Conner recently served as interim chief of public safety and law enforcement for Virginia State Parks, guiding the park system through the COVID-19 pandemic and historic increases in visitation; he was promoted to deputy chief for public safety and law enforcement on May 10, 2022; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Charlie Conner hereby be commended for his exceptional service to the Commonwealth with the Department of Conservation and Recreation and Virginia State Parks; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Charlie Conner as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his achievements.