Bill Text: VA SJR74 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled

---

Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Dennis M. Gronka.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)

Status: (Passed) 2016-01-29 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ74ER) [SJR74 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2016-SJR74-Enrolled.html

---

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 74 Celebrating the life of Dennis M. Gronka.   Agreed to by the Senate, January 21, 2016 Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 29, 2016  

WHEREAS, Dennis M. Gronka, a shipbuilding engineer and a patriotic citizen who volunteered his time and leadership to strengthen the Norfolk community, died on November 12, 2015; and

WHEREAS, a native of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, Dennis Gronka served his country as a member of the United States Navy during the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, after he returned to the United States, Dennis Gronka pursued a career in electrical engineering in the shipbuilding industry and had recently served as senior design specialist of processes and procedures at Q.E.D. Systems; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Gronka believed that all Americans have a civic responsibility to take an active role in their communities; he was a member of the Norfolk Republican Party and served as chair of the Norfolk Tea Party; and

WHEREAS, hoping to strengthen and enhance Norfolk's public schools, Dennis Gronka established Norfolk Citizens for an Elected School Board in 2014; the group urged local residents to become more informed on educational issues; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Gronka led a petition drive in support of a referendum to hold elections for members of the Norfolk School Board; he helped gather 17,579 signatures, and the referendum passed with overwhelming support; and

WHEREAS, with Dennis Gronka's hard work and leadership, the passage of the initiative marks the first time in six decades that members of the Norfolk School Board will be elected by popular vote; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Gronka will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his parents, Martin and Dorothy; children, Devon and Taylor; and numerous other family members and friends; 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 Dennis M. Gronka, a longtime member of the shipbuilding industry and an active leader in the Norfolk community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Dennis M. Gronka as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.