SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2011 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 657
Commending Eileen and Larry Kugler.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 14, 2011
Agreed to by the Senate, January 20, 2011

 

WHEREAS, Eileen and Larry Kugler of Springfield have generously established a 25,000-book library for the A.V. Bukani Primary School in rural South Africa; and

WHEREAS, educators and humanitarians at heart, Eileen Kugler, an award-winning author on the benefits of multicultural education, and Larry Kugler, an educational consultant and retired elementary school teacher and administrator with Fairfax County Public Schools, first traveled to South Africa as part of a multicultural educators travel expedition; and

WHEREAS, inspired by the dedication and optimism of the teachers and moved by the plight of the students who struggle with daily poverty and attend underfunded schools with few supplies, Eileen and Larry Kugler returned to South Africa several times bringing plans for professional development, classroom supplies, and children’s books that never failed to delight the young students; and

WHEREAS, while giving freely of their time and effort, the Kuglers developed a deep affection for the children and strong connections to the families in the Nomathamsanqa township, where A.V. Bukani Primary School is located; and

WHEREAS, Eileen and Larry Kugler determined that the presence of a library would make lasting improvements in the lives of the students, teachers, and administrators at A.V. Bukani Primary School, improve literacy in rural South Africa, and build goodwill between the citizens of South Africa and Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Eileen and Larry Kugler orchestrated a book drive with the help of Virginia schools, volunteers, and businesses, collecting more than 25,000 of their favorite books for children; more than 598 boxes of books weighing six and one-half tons were gathered, sorted, loaded into the 40-foot shipping container that would serve as the library, and shipped to Nomathamsanqa; and

WHEREAS, within days of arriving, the shipping container was transformed into a library; floors were scrubbed, shelves were installed, books were catalogued, and the children created a colorful string clothesline to track which books were checked out by which students; and

WHEREAS, thanks to the efforts of Eileen and Larry Kugler, students at A.V. Bukani Primary School and members of the local community have access to books and opportunities for improved literacy; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Eileen and Larry Kugler for establishing a 25,000-book library for the A.V. Bukani Primary School in rural South Africa; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to Eileen and Larry Kugler as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for their commitment to education and literacy across the globe.