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2009 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 416
Celebrating the life of Ellen Marie Bozman.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, February 12, 2009
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 20, 2009
 

WHEREAS, Ellen Marie McConnell Bozman of Arlington, a respected activist and the longest serving member of the Arlington County Board, died on January 8, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Ellen Marie McConnell was born on April 21, 1925, in Springfield, Illinois, and after graduating from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, she moved to Washington, D.C., to serve an internship at the National Institute of Public Affairs; and

WHEREAS, after marrying and moving to Arlington, Ellen Bozman became an enthusiastic member of the Arlington League of Women Voters, serving as the group’s president from 1963 to 1965, and she also served on the Arlington Committee of 100 and the Arlington County Planning Commission; and

WHEREAS, a proven leader, Ellen Bozman was first elected by her fellow citizens to the Arlington County Board in 1973 and served six consecutive terms from 1974 to 1997; and

WHEREAS, Ellen Bozman was committed to desegregation of the Arlington County Public Schools and worked diligently to improve social services programs to better serve residents; and

WHEREAS, during her tenure, Ellen Bozman supported Arlington County’s Smart Growth philosophy of promoting high-density development around mass transit, which was utilized in creating the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor, an area of condos, offices, and retail establishments built along the Metro’s Orange Line, which has won national recognition for its land use planning; and

WHEREAS, Ellen Bozman was especially proud of her role in the founding of Arlington County’s annual Neighborhood Day celebration that has become a popular and well-attended hometown tradition, featuring community service projects, a parade, events, and activities for the entire family to enjoy; and

WHEREAS, after stepping down from elected office in 1997, Ellen Bozman remained active in the community as president of the Arlington Community Foundation and as a founder and member of the Alliance for Housing Solutions; and

WHEREAS, Ellen Bozman will be fondly remembered as an exemplary public servant, mentor, and role model for all who knew her well; and

WHEREAS, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Ellen Bozman will be greatly missed by her husband of 59 years, William H. Bozman; her three children, William, Martha, and Bruce and their families, including her four grandchildren; and her numerous friends and admirers in Arlington; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly note with great sadness the passing of a fine community leader and outstanding Virginian, Ellen Marie Bozman; and, be it

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