Bill Text: VA SJR74 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Annie Walker.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-05 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ74ER) [SJR74 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SJR74-Introduced.html
Patrons-- Reeves, Favola and Stanley; Delegates: Cordoza, Ennis, Green, Henson, Laufer, Lovejoy, Owen, Rasoul, Scott, P.A., Ware and Webert
WHEREAS, Annie Walker, a retired member of the United States Army, who supported her fellow veterans in the Commonwealth for over two decades, including 17 years as a deputy commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services, died in November 2023; and
WHEREAS, over the course of her distinguished military career, Annie Walker served as a fire control instrument repairer, Pershing missile electronics material specialist, multiple launch rocket systems repairer, and a unit supply specialist; her last duty assignment was at Fort Lee as a drill sergeant, and she completed her military career in 1997 as the director for the Instructor Development Course at the United States Army Quartermaster Center and School; and
WHEREAS, among her many awards and accolades, Annie Walker received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Good Conduct Award, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Distinguished Instructor Award; and
WHEREAS, Annie Walker gained experience in education and social services in Petersburg, then began working for the Commonwealth as an education specialist with the Virginia State Approving Agency (SAA) for Veterans Education and Training (GI Bill) under the Virginia Department of Education; the SAA subsequently became part of the Department of Veterans Services in 2004; and
WHEREAS, as a deputy commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services, Annie Walker provided general counsel and guidance to the commissioner on agency strategy and administration and helped veterans and their families to find resources to receive state benefits, recognition, and quality care; and
WHEREAS, Annie Walker oversaw numerous programs at the Department of Veterans Services, including Benefits, Virginia Veterans and Family Support, the Veterans Education, Transition & Employment directorate, which includes the SAA, the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, Military Education & Workforce Initiative, the Virginia Values Veterans Employment (V3) Program, the V3 Transition Program, the Military Medics and Corpsmen Program, the Virginia Women Veterans Program, and the Military Spouse Liaison program; and
WHEREAS, at the national level, Annie Walker served as a past president of the National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA), a past member of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Veterans Advisory Council on Education, and a past member of the DVA/NASAA Joint Advisory Council; and
WHEREAS, Annie Walker touched countless lives and helped make the Commonwealth one of the best places for veterans and their families to live, work, and thrive; and
WHEREAS, Annie Walker will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by numerous 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 Annie Walker, a consummate professional, distinguished military veteran, and devoted public servant who touched countless lives throughout the Commonwealth; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Annie Walker as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.
