SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2008 SESSION

087758776
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 25
Offered January 9, 2008
Prefiled December 13, 2007
Commending William Sinkler.
----------
Patron-- Ware, O., Fralin, and Griffith; Senator: Edwards and Smith
----------

WHEREAS, William Sinkler has served the citizens of the Roanoke community and the Commonwealth as an outstanding educator and public servant for over 40 years; and

WHEREAS, William "Bill" Sinkler was raised in South Carolina, graduated cum laude from Morris College in 1960, continued his education at Virginia State College, received a master’s degree in education from the University of Virginia, and served his country in the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, throughout his remarkable career in education, Bill Sinkler has been instrumental in the continued growth in quality education in the Roanoke City Public Schools, and he played a significant role as a teacher in the integration efforts at Jefferson Senior High School and later as the school's assistant principal; and

WHEREAS, after teaching science and biology for many years, Bill Sinkler served as an assistant principal at three middle schools in the Roanoke City Public Schools before becoming a principal at Patrick Henry High School, where he provided steady and discerning leadership for 12 years during the challenging time of desegregation in Virginia's schools; and

WHEREAS, from 1988 to 1999, Bill Sinkler served as principal of Roanoke City Public Schools' Lincoln Terrace Saturn Network Magnet School; and

WHEREAS, because of his outstanding leadership and his longtime commitment to excellence in education for the young people of the Roanoke Valley, Bill Sinkler was honored with the Donald Lace Award for Excellence in 1999 for his many achievements as principal; and

WHEREAS, an experienced educator and  administrator, Bill Sinkler began his service on the Salem School Board in 1993, becoming its first African-American member, and he currently serves as the board's vice-chairman; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to improving the quality of life of all of his fellow citizens, Bill Sinkler has served on the City of Salem’s Fair Housing Board and the Planning Commission for many years; and

WHEREAS, a man of great integrity and high moral standards, Bill Sinkler’s motto in life is “I’ve got to be me,” and over the years, he has remained true to his life's convictions and has provided his personal philosophy and unique talents to numerous civic organizations, including the Salem Rotary Club; The Links, Inc., Roanoke Chapter; the NAACP; and Kappa Delta Pi, an education honor society; and

WHEREAS, Bill Sinkler has received many accolades for his service to the community, including the Salem Police Department’s Citizen Academy Certificate of Recognition and Father of the Year in Education for the Roanoke Valley in 1991; and

WHEREAS, in 2002 Morris College, his alma mater, awarded Bill Sinkler with the National Alumni Association's Professional Alumnus Award for his professional work ethic and lifetime achievements; and

WHEREAS, Bill Sinkler is a faithful member of the Shiloh Baptist Church and is active in the church's many missions in the community; and

WHEREAS, Bill Sinkler and his wife, Marzetta, have been married for 38 years, and they are immensely proud of their two sons, William I. Sinkler and Wayne F. Sinkler, and their wonderful families, including grandsons Mitchell and Karis; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate William Sinkler for his longtime service to the citizens of Roanoke and the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to William Sinkler as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation of his many achievements and best wishes for continued success and happiness in the future.