Bill Text: VA HJR926 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled


Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Helen B. Snook.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-3)

Status: (Passed) 2019-02-21 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ926ER) [HJR926 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2019-HJR926-Enrolled.html

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 926
Celebrating the life of Helen B. Snook.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 18, 2019
Agreed to by the Senate, February 21, 2019

 

WHEREAS, Helen B. Snook, an active civic leader in Charlottesville and Albemarle County and a passionate educator who helped countless students develop a strong foundation for critical thinking and lifelong learning, died on May 22, 2018; and

WHEREAS, a native of Metuchen, New Jersey, Helen "Sandy" B. Snook graduated from Antioch College in Ohio; in 1961 she relocated to Charlottesville when her husband, John, joined the faculty of the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, after earning her master's degree from the University of Virginia, Sandy Snook began a distinguished career as a government and psychology teacher at Lane High School and Charlottesville High School; and

WHEREAS, Sandy Snook was committed to helping her students become good citizens of the Commonwealth by encouraging them to attend city council meetings, participate in police ride-alongs, and find other ways to gain practical civics experience, and many of her former students were inspired to become law-enforcement officers, civil servants, and community leaders; and

WHEREAS, Sandy Snook subsequently joined the University of Virginia's Institute of Government, where she developed teaching materials for educators throughout the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Sandy Snook enjoyed fellowship and worship with the congregation of St. Paul's Memorial Episcopal Church, where she had served on the vestry and chaired the Outreach and Service Commission for many years; and

WHEREAS, in the 1960s, Sandy Snook organized volunteers from St. Paul's Memorial Episcopal Church to establish and lead what became Camp Faith, a summer day camp in Earlysville that became many local children's first experience with racial integration; she also led the first integrated Girl Scouts of the USA troop in Central Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Sandy Snook offered her wise leadership and expertise to several other boards, committees, and commissions addressing race relations, women's rights, affordable housing, and education, serving as president of the Charlottesville Housing Improvement Program and the Piedmont Council of the Arts; she continued to participate in civic affairs as three-time president of the League of Women Voters and as a legislative aide to the Honorable Mitchell Van Yahres in 1985 - 1986; and

WHEREAS, Sandy Snook earned many awards and accolades for her personal and professional achievements on behalf of the community, including recognition on The Daily Progress 2002 - 2003 Distinguished Dozen list and the Charlottesville Bridge Builders Award in 2004; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by her husband, John, Sandy Snook will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her children, Lloyd, Kathy, and Carol, and their families, and by numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Helen B. Snook, an inspirational educator who left a legacy of contributions to the Charlottesville and Albemarle County communities; 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 Helen B. Snook as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.

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