WHEREAS, Alice Clarke Lynch, longtime General Registrar of the City of Richmond and a native of Dinwiddie County, was born on May 28, 1930, and departed this life on October 26, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Alice Clarke Lynch received a bachelor of arts degree in history in 1950 from Westhampton College of the University of Richmond, and after earning her degree she was employed by an insurance firm where she was exposed to early computers; and

WHEREAS, Alice Clarke Lynch became actively involved in Republican politics, and in 1952, she was elected secretary of the Third District Republican Party; she staffed the Eisenhower for President Headquarters, and became well-known to the party leadership and acquainted with many prominent citizens of Richmond; and she served in various posts in the Republican Party, including as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1968, before retiring from active politics in 1969; and

WHEREAS, in 1971, Alice Clarke Lynch was appointed voting registrar of the City of Richmond; a lifelong advocate for efficient and effective government, she deeply believed that voter registration should not be restrictive, and she was opposed to all forms of discrimination; and

WHEREAS, as Richmond's registrar from 1971 until 1995, Alice Clarke Lynch revolutionized the office and the voting process; she hired the first African American assistant registrar in the city; she was the first Richmond registrar to conduct voter registration in public venues such as schools, shopping malls, grocery stores, and libraries in an effort to expand voting rights by bringing voter registration to the voters; and

WHEREAS, she successfully lobbied the Virginia General Assembly to permit voter registration in adjoining localities, which eventually led to statewide registration; and

WHEREAS, Alice Clarke Lynch worked to increase African American voter registration and accessibility in voting places for handicapped voters; championed the use of technology in her department, which was the first of Richmond's governmental departments to computerize; and cooperated with local officials to improve city services; and

WHEREAS, Alice Clarke Lynch was willing to work with anyone mutually interested in voter registration to ensure that all citizens had the right to vote, and other registrars have emulated her example of leadership in community service and innovation in voter registration; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated community volunteer for many years, Alice Clarke Lynch loved people and was actively involved in community affairs, including serving as president of the Mary Munford Elementary School PTA; and

WHEREAS, Alice Clarke Lynch was actively involved in Richmond civic affairs and politics after her retirement; she was a member of the American Association of University Women, Omicron Delta Kappa National Honor Society, the Torch Club, and the Richmond First Club; and although a working mother, she found time to bake for colleagues at Christmas and for annual meetings of registrars and election board officials; and

WHEREAS, Alice Clarke Lynch was recognized for her selfless and outstanding community service, and among her many awards were the University of Richmond Medal of Achievement in 1984, the Westhampton College Alumnae Association Distinguished Alumna award in 1995, and accolades from the Crusade for Voters, the City of Richmond, and the Senate of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Alice Clarke Lynch built a well-earned reputation for her passionate belief in the power of the ballot and for her diligent attention to the needs of persons working with the electoral process; she epitomized the professionalism of today's registrar, serving the Richmond community with integrity and honesty, and in a nonpartisan manner, as General Registrar for 24 years before her retirement; and

WHEREAS, Alice Clarke Lynch was an immensely kind and generous woman who was loved by her family and friends and highly respected and admired by her peers; and

WHEREAS, the family, friends, and colleagues of Alice Clarke Lynch deeply grieve her loss, and her presence among those whom she loved will be sorely missed; 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 Alice Clarke Lynch; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Alice Clarke Lynch as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory and exemplary service to the Richmond community and the Commonwealth.