Bill Text: VA SJR97 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Patricia Dianne Redcross.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-19 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ97ER) [SJR97 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SJR97-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Patricia Dianne Redcross, an esteemed choral director and music educator and a beloved member of the Hampton Roads community, died on May 15, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Dianne Redcross graduated valedictorian from the historic Union High School in Bowling Green and earned a bachelor's degree in music education from Howard University before continuing graduate studies in music education at Teachers College, Columbia University; and
WHEREAS, Dianne Redcross began her career as an educator in Washington, D.C., in 1974 and five years later relocated to Hampton, ultimately joining Newport News Public Schools in 1980 and serving as the choral director of Hines Middle School for 30 of her 31 years with the school system; and
WHEREAS, Dianne Redcross' commitment to the success of her students was evident in the superior ratings she and her students regularly received when performing in choral music festivals over the years; and
WHEREAS, in 1983, Dianne Redcross and her husband, Roscoe, founded R-D Music Studio in Hampton Roads, which later expanded into the Hampton Academy of Music, Dance, and Drama in 2000, providing many young people of Hampton Roads with quality instruction in the performing arts; and
WHEREAS, Dianne Redcross founded the Voices of Unity Choir, composed of children from Carver Memorial Presbyterian Church and St. Augustine's Episcopal Church of Newport News, in the mid-1980s and led the choir for more than 35 years, directing performances at churches and other distinguished venues around the country; and
WHEREAS, Dianne Redcross will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by her loving husband of 47 years, Roscoe; her children, Jonathan and Julian, and their families; her mother, Doris; 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 Patricia Dianne Redcross, a cherished member of the Hampton Roads community whose legacy of service will be an inspiration to others for years to come; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Patricia Dianne Redcross as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.
