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2006 SESSION

065890326
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 548
Offered March 6, 2006
Commending Dr. John O. Simpson.
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Patrons-- Howell, A.T., Abbitt, Albo, Alexander, Amundson, Armstrong, Athey, BaCote, Barlow, Bell, Bowling, Brink, Bulova, Byron, Callahan, Caputo, Carrico, Cline, Cole, Cosgrove, Cox, Crockett-Stark, Dance, Dudley, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Fralin, Frederick, Gear, Gilbert, Griffith, Hall, Hamilton, Hargrove, Hogan, Howell, W.J., Hugo, Hull, Hurt, Iaquinto, Ingram, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Jones, S.C., Kilgore, Landes, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Lohr, Marsden, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., May, McClellan, McEachin, McQuigg, Melvin, Miller, Moran, Morgan, Nixon, Nutter, O'Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Parrish, Peace, Phillips, Plum, Poisson, Purkey, Putney, Rapp, Reid, Rust, Saxman, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Shannon, Sherwood, Shuler, Sickles, Spruill, Suit, Tata, Toscano, Tyler, Valentine, Waddell, Ward, Wardrup, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts, Welch, Wittman and Wright; Senators: Bell, Blevins, Chichester, Colgan, Cuccinelli, Deeds, Devolites Davis, Edwards, Hanger, Hawkins, Herring, Houck, Howell, Lambert, Locke, Lucas, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, Miller, Newman, Norment, O'Brien, Obenshain, Potts, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Rerras, Reynolds, Ruff, Saslaw, Stolle, Stosch, Ticer, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins, Whipple and Williams
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WHEREAS, Dr. John O. Simpson, Superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools from 1998 to 2005, is recognized for his outstanding service to the citizens of the City of Norfolk; and

WHEREAS, since his appointment as superintendent in 1998, John Simpson has spearheaded a districtwide administrative reorganization and implemented a highly successful accountability system in order to provide equitable education to all of Norfolk’s students; and

WHEREAS, John Simpson graduated from West Chester State University, earned a master’s degree from the University of Delaware, and received a doctoral degree from the University of Michigan; and

WHEREAS, an energetic and innovative leader, John Simpson has worked diligently to foster the belief that all children can achieve their full academic potential regardless of the challenges they face; and

WHEREAS, because of John Simpson’s visionary leadership, the achievement gap between minority and majority students in Norfolk Public Schools has decreased considerably, and the schools are making great progress toward the goal of full accreditation under the Virginia Standards of Learning; and

WHEREAS, John Simpson was honored as a 2005 Superintendent of the Year; the National Superintendent of the Year Program is in its 18th year and is cosponsored by the American Association of School Administrators and ARAMARK Education; and

WHEREAS, Norfolk Public Schools was named among the top five finalists in 2003 and 2004 for the Broad Foundation’s Broad Prize for Urban Education award, the “Nobel Prize” of education; and

WHEREAS, John Simpson has received numerous awards for his leadership and administrative abilities, including the 2004 Black History Month Public and Community Service Award, the 15th Annual Excel Award’s 2004 Community Academia Award presented by Black Media Professionals, the National Conference for Community and Justice's 2004 Humanitarian Award, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's 2004 Humanitarian of the Year award, and the Association of Educational Office Professionals of Norfolk’s Administrator of the Year 2004/2005; and

WHEREAS, John Simpson has been a member of the executive boards of the Urban League of Hampton Roads, the Governor’s School for the Arts, the Hampton Roads Workforce Development, and is an active member of the Committee of 200+ Men; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Dr. John O. Simpson for his exemplary service to Norfolk Public Schools and the citizens of the City of Norfolk; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. John O. Simpson as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for his strong leadership and commitment to the education of the children of the Commonwealth.