Bill Text: VA SR27 | 2014 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of the Honorable Elise B. Heinz.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2014-02-06 - Bill text as passed Senate (SR27ER) [SR27 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2014-SR27-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, the Honorable Elise B. Heinz, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates who ably represented the residents of Arlington and Alexandria and a longtime member of the Arlington community, died on January 19, 2014; and WHEREAS, a native of Plainfield, New Jersey, Elise Heinz moved to Mason Neck in 1949; she graduated from George Washington High School in Alexandria and later earned a bachelor's degree from Wellesley College; and WHEREAS, in 1961, Elise Heinz earned a law degree from Harvard University, where she was elected as an editor of the Harvard Law Review and graduated as one of only five women in a class of 460; after graduation, she moved to Arlington and would proudly call the area home for the rest of her life; and WHEREAS, Elise Heinz practiced law with a firm in Washington, D.C., until 1964, then did legal work for the Peace Corps, for the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and for a federal appellate court judge; she subsequently opened her own firm, where she practiced law until 1990; and WHEREAS, a passionate and devoted advocate for women's rights, Elise Heinz led efforts to reform discriminatory laws and secure ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution; and WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to the Commonwealth, Elise Heinz ran for and was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1977, where she represented the residents of the 23rd District for two terms; and WHEREAS, Elise Heinz worked to enact important legislation and served on several committees, including Conservation and Natural Resources, General Laws, and Privileges and Elections; and WHEREAS, after completing her service in the General Assembly, Elise Heinz remained a leader in the Arlington community; she was an outspoken champion of women's rights for much of her life and continued to serve the Commonwealth as a Virginia representative on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Advisory Commission; and WHEREAS, throughout her life, Elise Heinz donated her time and talents as a volunteer with many civic and service organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Women's Legal Defense Fund, the Alexandria United Way, the Arlington County School Board, and the Virginia Advisory Committee of the United States Commission on Civil Rights; and WHEREAS, a woman of great integrity, Elise Heinz served the community, the Commonwealth, and the nation with distinction; and WHEREAS, Elise Heinz will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her husband of 52 years, James E. Clayton; sons Jonathan and David, and their families; numerous other family members and friends; and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Honorable Elise B. Heinz, a respected public servant and an admired member of the Arlington community; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Honorable Elise B. Heinz as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for her memory. |
