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2013 SESSION

13104885D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 905
Offered February 14, 2013
Celebrating the life of Emma Lorraine Musselman.
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Patron-- Torian
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WHEREAS, Emma Lorraine Musselman, a devoted public servant, a vibrant historian, and a pillar of the Town of Occoquan, died on January 2, 2013; and

WHEREAS, born in 1930, Emma Musselman grew up in the Town of Occoquan and was always quick to share her many fond childhood memories with friends; she lived in the same Occoquan house for almost her entire life; and

WHEREAS, Emma Musselman was a loyal employee at the G. C. Murphy Company for 40 years and later worked in the Occoquan Post Office; and

WHEREAS, supporting the community as a public servant, Emma Musselman was a member of the Occoquan Town Council from 1978 to 1986, a member of the Occoquan Historical Society board, and a member of the architectural review board; she was also an enthusiastic volunteer; and

WHEREAS, as the town’s longest continual resident, Emma Musselman had many stories to tell about the history of Occoquan; she regaled countless visitors to the Mill House Museum with anecdotes and tidbits about the area; and

WHEREAS, gaining much of her notoriety as the “Lady on the Bench,” Emma Musselman enjoyed people-watching from her bench on Commerce Street and cheerfully waved to every resident and passerby; and

WHEREAS, many Occoquan residents, including the mayor, recall enjoying wonderful conversations about the town’s charms and history on that bench with Emma Musselman; and

WHEREAS, Emma Musselman’s sense of neighborly good will and unyielding desire to preserve the charm of her beloved hometown lives on in the hearts of the many residents and visitors whom she befriended throughout her life; and

WHEREAS, Emma Musselman cared deeply for animals and, in addition to her house cat, tended to an outdoor feral cat and a lame vulture named Vinny; and

WHEREAS, Emma Musselman is greatly missed by her brother, Amos, and his family; and many other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Emma Lorraine Musselman, a devoted public servant, enthusiastic historian, and sincere friend to everyone in the Town of Occoquan; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Emma Lorraine Musselman as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.