Bill Text: VA SJR452 | 2013 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Joseph A. Gutierrez, Jr.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2013-03-05 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ452ER) [SJR452 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2013-SJR452-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, Joseph A. Gutierrez, Jr., the Senior Director of Museum Operations and Education for the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, who was passionate about history and spent his professional career sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge as a high school teacher and through his positions in museum education, died on July 17, 2012; and WHEREAS, a graduate of Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Joseph "Joe" Gutierrez earned a bachelor's degree and master's degree from East Carolina University; and WHEREAS, a dedicated educator, Joe Gutierrez gained valuable experience at The Mariners' Museum in Newport News before joining the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation in 1988 as its first director of education; and WHEREAS, realizing the importance of sharing the story of the Commonwealth's and nation's founding, Joe Gutierrez worked to develop on-site and statewide outreach education, volunteer services, and staff training programs to enhance the visitor experience; and WHEREAS, during the tenure of Joe Gutierrez, participation in educational programs at the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation escalated from 15,000 to more than 200,000, and today those programs reach approximately 300,000 students; and WHEREAS, in 1997, Joe Gutierrez was promoted to Director of Outreach Education and Special Services; he served briefly as Deputy Executive Director of Museum Operations and Education on an interim basis before becoming the Senior Director of Museum Operations and Education in 1999, a position he held at the time of his passing; and WHEREAS, as senior director, Joe Gutierrez guided the development of new exhibition galleries at Jamestown Settlement and the construction of the new replica vessels, Godspeed and Discovery, and provided strong leadership during the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, America's first permanent English settlement, including serving as escort to His Royal Highness The Prince Philip at commemorative events in 2007; and WHEREAS, most recently, Joe Gutierrez had been actively involved in the extensive planning for the new museum building and exhibits at another of the Commonwealth's and nation's premier museums, the Yorktown Victory Center; and WHEREAS, a respected scholar, Joe Gutierrez authored numerous articles and essays; gave lectures and presentations to a variety of historical associations; and served as an adjunct faculty member at Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Hampton University and as the former chair of the Thomas Nelson Community College board; and WHEREAS, Joe Gutierrez made many contributions to his profession, serving as president and vice president of the Virginia Association of Museums and as a member of several committees with the American Association of Museums and advisory committees with the Virginia Department of Education, and receiving recognition from the American Association for State and Local History; and WHEREAS, a man of tremendous vision, Joe Gutierrez helped show the world the richness and importance of Virginia history and put in place the facilities and programs that will continue to tell the story of Virginia and its people; and WHEREAS, Joe Gutierrez will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Braxton; stepdaughters, Marjorie and Ann; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; 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 an esteemed educator and museum leader, Joseph A. Gutierrez, Jr.; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Joseph A. Gutierrez, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory. |
