WHEREAS, Dr. S. John Davis, former Virginia State Superintendent of Public Instruction, died on November 22, 2009; and

WHEREAS, a native of Indiana, Pennsylvania, S. John "Jack" Davis was born on October 9, 1928; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Davis received his bachelor's degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1950, a master's degree in educational administration in 1955 from George Washington University, and a doctorate from American University in 1972; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Davis served as a teacher and an administrator for the Arlington County Public Schools and the Fairfax County Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Davis served as the superintendent of the Fairfax County Public Schools, the largest school system in the Commonwealth, for 10 years; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Davis was initially appointed to the position of Virginia State Superintendent of Public Instruction by Governor John H. Dalton in 1978 and reappointed by Governors Charles S. Robb and Gerald L. Baliles; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Davis, while serving as state superintendent, helped introduce the first statewide testing program, the Literacy Passport, which ultimately led to today's Standards of Learning; implemented the first magnet schools and summer academies for gifted students; provided the leadership needed to establish the Governor's School programs; and strongly supported programs for exceptional children and distance learning via satellite technology; and many other educational programs that directly benefit all Virginians; and

WHEREAS, upon his retirement, Dr. Davis established the educational consulting firm of S. John Davis and Associates, Ltd., assisting many school systems in resolving difficult problems; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as state superintendent, Dr. Davis served with distinction as a trustee of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, as a member of the Southern Regional Education Board and the Council of Higher Education, and as a commissioner with the Education Commission of the States; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Davis will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his family, colleagues, admirers, and friends as an outstanding educator and humanitarian; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of Dr. S. John Davis, a dedicated servant and outstanding Virginian; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Dr. S. John Davis as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory and his decades of public service to the citizens of the Commonwealth.