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2008 SESSION

088235842
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 14
Offered February 11, 2008
Commending Carmela Bills Putney.
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Patrons-- Howell, W.J., Putney, Abbitt, Albo, Alexander, Amundson, Armstrong, Athey, BaCote, Barlow, Bell, Bouchard, Bowling, Brink, Bulova, Byron, Caputo, Carrico, Cline, Cole, Cosgrove, Cox, Crockett-Stark, Dance, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Fralin, Frederick, Gear, Gilbert, Griffith, Hall, Hamilton, Hargrove, Hogan, Howell, A.T., Hugo, Hull, Iaquinto, Ingram, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Jones, S.C., Kilgore, Landes, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Lohr, Loupassi, Marsden, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Massie, Mathieson, May, McClellan, Melvin, Merricks, Miller, J.H., Miller, P.J., Moran, Morgan, Morrissey, Nichols, Nixon, Nutter, O'Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Peace, Phillips, Plum, Pogge, Poindexter, Poisson, Purkey, Rust, Saxman, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Shannon, Sherwood, Shuler, Sickles, Spruill, Suit, Tata, Toscano, Tyler, Valentine, Vanderhye, Ward, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts and Wright
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WHEREAS, Carmela Bills Putney, Information and Public Relations Office Manager, retired in June 2007, following 25 years of outstanding service to the House of Delegates; and

WHEREAS, a native of Brownsville, Texas, Carmela Bills Putney graduated from Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas, in 1960, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration; and

WHEREAS, Carmela Bills Putney was first employed by American Airlines as a flight attendant from 1960 - 1962;

WHEREAS, Carmela Bills Putney was a devoted wife of forty years to H. Edward Bills until his death in August 2002, and during her marriage raised two wonderful children, Carlye Jean Bills and Thomas Edward Bills; they lived in Mexico City, Mexico, and Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela, until settling in Richmond, Virginia, in 1978; and

WHEREAS, in 1982 Carmela Bills Putney began her career as receptionist in the office of the majority leader of the House of Delegates, and in 1985 she became a valuable asset to the members, as well as visitors to the Capitol, as the legislative information officer; and

WHEREAS, in October 1987, Carmela Bills Putney began full-time employment with the House of Delegates and was promoted to information and public relations office manager in June 2002, a position she held with dignity and distinction until her retirement; and

WHEREAS, Carmela Bills Putney served under House Clerks Joseph H. Holleman, Jr., and Bruce F. Jamerson and under Speakers A. L. Philpott, Thomas W. Moss, Jr., S. Vance Wilkins, Jr., and William J. Howell; and

WHEREAS, through her creativity and vast knowledge, Carmela Bills Putney was instrumental in developing a variety of interactive activities and publications that has helped visitors, young and old, to better understand the legislative process, and she helped implement interesting programs such as Project Citizen and Legislators Back to School Week in conjunction with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL); and

WHEREAS, Carmela Bills Putney has been an active member of the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries (ASLCS) since 1991, serving in vital leadership positions, including associate vice president, and representing ASLCS at international conferences; and

WHEREAS, through her innate ability to reach out to others, Carmela Bills Putney helped to strengthen ties with members of the Chief Clerks of Mexico’s State Legislatures and the Federal District of Mexico (ANOMAC), and she worked diligently to make the ASLCS/ANOMAC Working Together Program a success; and

WHEREAS, as an active member of the NCSL, Carmela Bills Putney has served as a panelist at annual NCSL meetings, hosted visiting delegates in conjunction with the international staff section, and served on the Legislative Information and Communication Staff Committee; and

WHEREAS, over the years, Carmela Bills Putney has received numerous honors and accolades, including the NCSL/ASLCS Legislative Staff Achievement Award in 2005, Virginia Society of Association Executives Award in 2004, and Virginia Capitol Correspondents Association Award in 2003; and

WHEREAS, devoted to all Virginians and especially young people, Carmela Bills Putney assisted with the Virginia YMCA Model General Assembly Program and the American Legion Girls State Program; and

WHEREAS, with warm hospitality and an electric personality, Carmela Bills Putney was a welcome sight each morning at her post at the Information and Public Relations booth located near the state seal on the first floor of the Capitol; and

WHEREAS, in June 2007, Carmela Bills married The Honorable Lacey Edward Putney in the chamber of the House of Delegates at the State Capitol, and the happy couple reside in Goode with their two pugs Darwin and Chandler; and

WHEREAS, throughout her 25 years of outstanding service, Carmela Bills Putney, truly a “Lady of the House,” has been an excellent ambassador for the House of Delegates, the General Assembly, and the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Carmela Bills Putney be hereby commended for her meritorious and faithful service to the House of Delegates and the citizens of Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Carmela Bills Putney as an expression of the House of Delegates’ gratitude for her many contributions to the Commonwealth and best wishes for a long and fulfilling retirement.