WHEREAS, Patty Lee Gilbertson, a celebrated advocate for the treatment of substance abuse and addiction and resident of Williamsburg, died on August 13, 2010; and

WHEREAS, a native of New York, New York, Patty Gilbertson graduated from Roosevelt High School and received her degree from Bronx Community College School of Nursing before embarking on a career of service to others in the adolescent cardiac care ward of Montefiore Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Patty Gilbertson and her husband, Fred, relocated to Williamsburg, and Patty accepted a position as manager of the inpatient substance abuse treatment center at Eastern State Hospital; and

WHEREAS, in 1986, Patty Gilbertson took the helm as the director of the detoxification program with the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board where she was devoted to assisting individuals addicted to alcohol and other substances and held myriad positions relating to the creation of effective substance abuse treatment; and

WHEREAS, from 1989 to 1991, Patty Gilbertson monitored substance abuse and addiction programs throughout the Commonwealth as a member of the board of directors of the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards; and

WHEREAS, Patty Gilbertson helped establish the Drug Treatment Courts in Newport News; in 2002, she began her tenure as chair of the Virginia Coalition of Drug Treatment Courts, and was appointed to the Governor's Council on Substance Abuse, which she chaired from 2005 to 2010; and

WHEREAS, commanding attention for substance abuse treatment throughout the Commonwealth and beyond, Patty Gilbertson represented the Commonwealth in the National Congress of Drug Courts and joined the staff of the Chief Justice's Commission on Mental Health Law Reform in 2006; and

WHEREAS, in 2003, Patty Gilbertson added the Virginia Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors Distinguished Service Award to the many honors she received in recognition of her expertise, her role as distinguished presenter and valued mentor, and her dedication to substance abuse treatment; and

WHEREAS, Patty Gilbertson will be fondly remembered by Fred, her husband of 38 years, her two children, Eric and Toby, and by the many friends, colleagues, and patients whose lives she touched; 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 Patty Lee Gilbertson, celebrated advocate for the treatment of substance abuse and addiction; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Patty Lee Gilbertson as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.