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2008 SESSION

084451676
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13
Offered January 9, 2008
Prefiled November 27, 2007
Celebrating the life of Rebecca Clary Harris.
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Patrons—Peace, Janis, Loupassi, and O’Bannon; Senator: McEachin
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WHEREAS, Rebecca Clary Harris of Richmond, a talented young woman, community volunteer, and dedicated physician, departed from this life on September 8, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Rebecca "Becca" Clary was born in San Antonio, Texas, on February 9, 1975; she grew up in Richmond, attended Saint Bridget's School, graduated from Saint Catherine's School, and earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, from a very early age, Rebecca Clary Harris dreamed of becoming a doctor and in high school at Saint Catherine's School, she won an award for her study with Dr. Hazel Konerding; and

WHEREAS, Rebecca Clary Harris taught at Saint Catherine's School as a kindergarten aide for a short while before returning to college to complete a master's degree in physiology at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine; and

WHEREAS, in 2005 Rebecca Clary Harris fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming the third-generation in the Clary family to earn a medical degree, and in that same year, she married her soul mate Justin Dillard Harris of Charlottesville; and

WHEREAS, Rebecca Clary Harris completed a residency in internal medicine at VCU and had begun a two-year commitment as a research fellow studying melanoma immunotherapy in the laboratory of Dr. Craig Slingluff at the University of Virginia at the time of her death; she held a National Institute of Health grant through the Beirne B. Carter Center to support her important work; and

WHEREAS, committed to the well-being of her fellow citizens, Rebecca Clary Harris furthered her interest in skin diseases, working with the Check Your Skin Club to raise melanoma awareness in the community; and she served as a Young Life leader, and as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and the Fan Free Clinic; and

WHEREAS, Rebecca Clary Harris served as a camp counselor for Virginia Commonwealth University's Exploring Health Care program, a mentor for the University of Richmond's Premedical Mentorship program, and a group leader for the Foundations of Clinical Medicine Program; and

WHEREAS, her faith in God was evidenced as a member of Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church in Richmond, where Rebecca Clary Harris was a Sunday school teacher and an enthusiastic participant in the church's many activities in the community and abroad, including its recent medical mission to the Dominican Republic; and

WHEREAS, Rebecca Clary Harris will be fondly remembered for her beautiful countenance, her charitable nature, and her dedication as a physician and is greatly missed by her devoted husband Justin; her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Richard M. Clary; her sisters Kathryn and Margaret; and her numerous other loving family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly note with great sadness the untimely loss of a talented young woman and outstanding Virginian, Rebecca Clary Harris; 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 Rebecca Clary Harris as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.