Georgia-2011-HR257-Introduced

By: Representatives Abdul-Salaam of the 74th, Heckstall of the 62nd, Neal of the 75th, and Scott of the 76th

Commending Commissioner Virginia Burton Gray and inviting her to be recognized by the House of Representatives in honor of Women's History Month; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Commissioner Virginia Burton Gray has long been recognized by the citizens of this state for the vital role that she has played in leadership and her deep personal commitment to the welfare of the citizens of Clayton County and Georgia; and

WHEREAS, she has diligently and conscientiously devoted innumerable hours of her time, talents, and energy toward the betterment of her community and state as evidenced dramatically by her superlative service since 1997 with the Clayton County Board of Commissioners; and

WHEREAS, a true trailblazer, Commissioner Gray was the first African American member of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners and the legacy she has created over the past two decades will long be felt in the Clayton County community; and

WHEREAS, some of her many accomplishments as a commissioner include the procurement of a community development block grant which funded the creation of a senior center, expansion of Arts Clayton Summer Camps, relocation and expansion of the North Clayton Police precinct, and establishment of the Clayton County Code Enforcement Board and the Airport Noise Mitigation Committee; and

WHEREAS, a former educator, Commissioner Gray earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Clark College, and has worked in the real estate industry for 26 years; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Gray was sworn in as president of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia in 2008, becoming the first Clayton County Commissioner to serve in this capacity; and
WHEREAS, her leadership and guidance have been instrumental to many organizations, including the Clayton County Department of Family and Children Services, the Atlanta Project, ACCG Health and Human Services Policy Committee, and the NACO Human Services and Education Steering Subcommittee on Aging; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Gray has served with honor and distinction with the Clayton County Board of Commissioners, and her vision and unyielding commitment have set the standard for public service; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend Commissioner Virginia Burton Gray for her efficient, effective, unselfish, and dedicated public service to Clayton County and the State of Georgia and invite her to be recognized by the House of Representatives at a date and time to be determined by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Commissioner Virginia Burton Gray.