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2007 SESSION

075217246
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 734
Offered January 10, 2007
Prefiled January 10, 2007
Celebrating the life of Stephen Harry Peery.
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Patrons-- Bowling and Crockett-Stark; Senator: Puckett
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WHEREAS, Stephen Harry Peery, a 35-year educator of Tazewell County Public Schools and a valuable contributor to the county's technological development, died on July 20, 2006; and

WHEREAS, born on February 11, 1947, in Bluefield, Steve Peery was the son of the late Stephen Alfred and Thelma Mitchell Peery of Burke’s Garden; and

WHEREAS, Steve Peery attended the Burke’s Garden School, graduated from Tazewell High School in 1965, and received a bachelor's degree in 1969 and a master's degree in 1975 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; and

WHEREAS, after college, Steve Peery returned to Tazewell County, where he would spend his entire career in the service of Tazewell County Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, a tireless and dedicated teacher, Steve Peery taught mathematics from 1969 until 1988 at Richlands Junior High School, Tazewell Junior High School, Tazewell Middle School, and Tazewell High School; and

WHEREAS, Steve Peery was a gifted teacher, who was always concerned about the well-being, the aspirations, and the educational goals of each of his students; and

WHEREAS, Steve Peery was an advocate for the rights of his fellow educators in Tazewell County and the Commonwealth and served as the president of the Tazewell Education Association from 1971 to 1972; and

WHEREAS, Steve Peery served as Tazewell County’s first educational technology director from 1989 until retiring in 2005; and during his tenure, the Tazewell County Public Schools built and continually expanded its IT and networking infrastructure, personnel, and expertise, becoming one of the most technologically advanced school divisions in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, in addition to helping to bring computer and Internet access to Tazewell County Public Schools, Steve Peery was also widely known and admired as the "guru of technology" throughout the county government; and

WHEREAS, committed to the economic and technological development of the region, Steve Peery gave his time and expertise to numerous civic and professional organizations, including as chairman of the Southwest Virginia Technology Council, the Southwest Virginia Educational and Training Network, and the Technology Task Force for the Four Seasons Regional Council; as a board member of Blue Ridge Public Television; and as a member of the Tazewell County Economic Development Commission, the Tazewell County Information Technology and Telecommunications Committee, and the Virginia Education Technology Advisory Committee to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction; and

WHEREAS, Steve Peery was an active member of the Burke’s Garden community, serving as the inside plant manager, secretary, and president of the Burke’s Garden Telephone Company and as a charter member of the Burke’s Garden Volunteer Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, Steve Peery was a faithful member of Burke’s Garden Central Lutheran Church and was active in the church's many missions in the community; and

WHEREAS, an exemplary educator and loving family man, Steve Peery will be greatly missed by his wife Linda Hypes Peery; his children Seth and Joanna and their wonderful families; numerous other loving family members and friends; and his beloved students; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine educator and outstanding Virginian, Stephen Harry Peery; 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 Stephen Harry Peery as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.