Bill Text: VA SJR225 | 2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Robert McCraw Gilbert, Jr.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2012-03-14 - Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ225ER) [SJR225 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2012-SJR225-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, Robert McCraw Gilbert, Jr., was born on April 12, 1934, in New York City, where he was reared and nurtured by loving parents, and he entered eternal life on December 26, 2011; and WHEREAS, Robert McCraw Gilbert, Jr., affectionately called "Bobby," had a childhood filled with various youth activities; he was a member of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, where he sang in the choir, ran track, and participated in featherweight boxing; and WHEREAS, Robert McCraw Gilbert, Jr., graduated from Dewitt Clinton High School in the Bronx and earned a bachelor of arts degree in sociology at Howard University, where he joined Omega Psi Phi fraternity; after graduation he was drafted by the United States Army and served his country as a psychiatric social worker; and WHEREAS, after his honorable discharge from the United States Army, Robert McCraw Gilbert, Jr., was employed by the New York City Department of Social Services as a social investigator; he worked as a parole officer in the New York State Division of Parole for 20 years, and for 17 years, he was a member of the Morningside Area Alliance (MAA) Youth Development Program, a consortium of 16 institutions which included Columbia University, Barnard College, and Riverside Church; and WHEREAS, Robert McCraw Gilbert, Jr., relocated to Richmond after his marriage, started a new career as a facility director for two youth services institutions, and became actively involved in the community, including becoming a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), participating in the Thebans, and joining Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he worshipped and served faithfully as a trustee and a member of the Men's Fellowship, and frequently shared his culinary talents with the congregation; and WHEREAS, his passion for humanity and his desire to make a difference in the lives of others and to be an integral part of the community led Robert McCraw Gilbert, Jr., to dutifully tutor young men striving to achieve academic success, mentor many children and their families, and financially support many nonprofit organizations and causes; and WHEREAS, after his retirement, Robert McCraw Gilbert, Jr., continued his service to the Commonwealth and the community by serving as a legislative assistant to Senator Yvonne Miller of Norfolk, where he was professional, efficient, effective, and thorough in his representation of the office and the discharge of his duties; and WHEREAS, Robert McCraw Gilbert, Jr., was a lover of music, cooking, reading, and sports; he was passionate about wearing hats and thoroughly enjoyed a good debate; and friends have described him as "an intense listener who hung onto every word only to follow up with a detailed analysis or an excited, critical rebuttal that would be peppered with thoughts from his lifelong pursuit of spiritual matters, philosophy, and the mysteries of life"; and WHEREAS, Robert McCraw Gilbert, Jr., loved life and family, which he demonstrated with profound devotion, loyalty, and love for his wife and daughter, who mourn his loss; and WHEREAS, Robert McCraw Gilbert, Jr., was a great friend to many, and his memory will be forever cherished by all who knew and loved him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Robert McCraw Gilbert, Jr.; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Robert McCraw Gilbert, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory. |
