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2009 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 458
Celebrating the life of Bates McCluer Gilliam.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, February 25, 2009
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 27, 2009
 

WHEREAS, Bates McCluer Gilliam of Lexington, a dedicated educator and community volunteer, died on January 11, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Bates Gilliam was born in Richmond, the son of Nelle McCluer Gilliam and James R. Gilliam, Jr., on December 22, 1918, and grew up in Lynchburg; and

WHEREAS, Bates Gilliam received a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Military Institute, a master’s degree from the University of Virginia, and a doctorate from Princeton University; and

WHEREAS, Bates Gilliam proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1941 to 1946 in the G-2 Military Intelligence Service of the European Theater of Operations, serving in London, Normandy, Paris, and Berlin; he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Army Intelligence and Security Branch of the United States Army Reserve in 1978; and

WHEREAS, a devoted family man, Bates Gilliam married the love of his life, Mary Stuart McGuire and together they raised three wonderful children; and

WHEREAS, a beloved and admired educator, Bates Gilliam served as professor of history and politics at Virginia Military Institute from 1949 to 1984, where he also served as the faculty advisor to several student organizations; and

WHEREAS, keenly interested in the social sciences and dedicated to his profession, Bates Gilliam served as president of the Virginia Social Science Association and the Virginia Conference of the American Association of University Professors and was active in the Southern and American Political Science Associations; and

WHEREAS, Bates Gilliam not only studied and taught politics but also was involved in them, serving in the Lexington City Council from 1963 to 1969 and again in the 1970s; he also served as vice-chairman of the Rockbridge County Electoral Board; and

WHEREAS, Bates Gilliam generously gave of his time and talents as president of the Rockbridge Historical Society and founding board member of the Rockbridge Area Conservation Council and the Valley Conservation Council; and

WHEREAS, Bates Gilliam was a faithful member of the Bethesda Presbyterian Church and was active in the church’s many missions in the community; and

WHEREAS, Bates Gilliam will be fondly remembered for his kind and generous nature and greatly missed by his loving wife of 58 years, Mary; his children Catharine, Molly, and Jay and their families; and his numerous friends and admirers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a devoted educator, public servant, and outstanding Virginian, Bates McCluer Gilliam; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Bates McCluer Gilliam as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.