WHEREAS, Geline Bowman Williams, a lifelong resident of Richmond and a dedicated civic leader with a servant's soul, celebrates her 100th birthday on February 27, 2024; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of St. Catherine's School, Geline Williams attended Goucher College, then raised five children with her late husband, Alexander; and

WHEREAS, an active and engaged citizen, Geline Williams has devoted her life to serving people in need in communities throughout the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, devoted to the well-being and prosperity of her hometown, Geline Williams served four terms on the Richmond City Council; she was appointed as mayor from 1988 to 1990 and was only the second woman in city history to hold the office; and

WHEREAS, during her tenure in local government, Geline Williams worked tirelessly on behalf of her constituents, coordinating with local, state, and federal officials to ensure the construction of a flood wall that continues to protect businesses and residents today; and

WHEREAS, Geline Williams served two terms on the Virginia Commission on Local Government, providing unique and invaluable insights to the commission and facilitating its work to assist counties, cities, and towns across the state; and

WHEREAS, Geline Williams has selflessly given of her time and talents in a variety of leadership roles with private and nonprofit organizations, such as the Instructive Visiting Nurse Association, the United Way, Richmond Catholic Family and Children's Services, and ChildFund International; and

WHEREAS, in 1967, Geline and Alexander Williams founded the Virginia Society for Human Life, the oldest state-level pro-life organization in the nation; and

WHEREAS, for over three decades, Geline Williams served as the board chair of the National Right to Life Committee, providing strong and stable leadership; and

WHEREAS, a member of Saint Bridget Catholic Church, Geline Williams has been an active leader for generations in the Roman Catholic community, serving as president of the Richmond Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and on the board of directors of the McMahon Parater Foundation for Education; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of her long and exceptional service to religious and civic life, in 1985, Geline Williams was honored by Pope John Paul II with the Benemerenti Medal, the highest papal honor awarded to a Catholic layperson; and

WHEREAS, over the course of her long and fruitful life, Geline Williams has sought to serve Christ by serving her brothers and sisters throughout Richmond, the Commonwealth, and the nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Geline Bowman Williams on the occasion of her 100th birthday; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Geline Bowman Williams as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration, congratulations, and appreciation for her lifetime of selfless service to the residents of the Commonwealth.