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2009 SESSION

098019244
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 391
Offered January 23, 2009
Celebrating the life of Leslie Funk Herdegen Rohrer.
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Patrons-- Houck, Barker, Blevins, Colgan, Cuccinelli, Deeds, Edwards, Hanger, Herring, Howell, Hurt, Locke, Lucas, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, McEachin, Miller, J.C., Miller, Y.B., Newman, Norment, Northam, Obenshain, Petersen, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Reynolds, Ruff, Saslaw, Smith, Stolle, Stosch, Stuart, Ticer, Vogel, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins and Whipple
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WHEREAS, Leslie Funk Herdegen Rohrer of Richmond County, a longtime champion of many health care issues on behalf of her fellow citizens as a lobbyist at the General Assembly, died on November 11, 2008; and

WHEREAS, born in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, Leslie Funk graduated from Rockford College in Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1974 and worked toward a master’s degree in business administration at the University of Richmond from 1984 to 1986; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Herdegen Rohrer moved to Richmond in the 1970s and became involved with the legislative process and the General Assembly while working on behalf of Grace House; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Herdegen Rohrer worked for many years as the legislative director of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, and she served as chair of the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority; and

WHEREAS, as an experienced and professional lobbyist, Leslie Herdegen Rohrer was passionate in her fight to promote nurses and excellent nursing care, autism programs for children, the rights of persons with mental health problems, and quality health care in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, as an articulate and knowledgeable advocate for the health care community for over 20 years, Leslie Herdegen Rohrer was instrumental in the passage of important legislation on hospice care and mental health insurance coverage for all Virginians; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Herdegen Rohrer worked tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of countless Virginians, and she was especially proud of helping to gain the authority for nurse practitioners to sign medical prescriptions without a physician’s cosignature; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Herdegen Rohrer’s expertise was invaluable in evaluating mental health treatment and insurance issues before the legislature in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech tragedy; and

WHEREAS, throughout her career, Leslie Herdegen Rohrer received numerous awards and accolades, including the 2005 Gartlan Award for her many contributions to the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards, which provides Virginians with mental health services, and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners will honor her posthumously with its Nurse Practitioner Advocate of the Year award in 2009; and

WHEREAS, a loving and compassionate woman, Leslie Herdegen Rohrer will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her devoted husband Bert L. Rohrer; her mother, Elizabeth Funk, and her brother, Jefford Funk; her stepchildren and other family members; her many friends at the General Assembly; and the citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly note with great sadness the passing of an outstanding Virginian, Leslie Funk Herdegen Rohrer; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Leslie Funk Herdegen Rohrer as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.