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2014 SESSION

14102211D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 54
Offered January 8, 2014
Prefiled January 6, 2014
Celebrating the life of Charles Williams Finley.
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Patrons-- McQuinn and McClellan
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WHEREAS, Charles Williams Finley, a passionate volunteer and tireless community leader in the City of Richmond, died on November 17, 2013; and

WHEREAS, born in Winchester on July 4, 1946, Charles Finley grew up in Winchester, where he graduated from Douglas High School at the age of 16; and

WHEREAS, Charles Finley attended Shenandoah Conservatory of Music from 1963 to 1964 as the first African American full-time student; and

WHEREAS, Charles Finley earned his bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University in Public School Music Education and his master’s degrees from Virginia State University and Virginia Commonwealth University; and

WHEREAS, Charles Finley helped develop the music program at Colonial Beach High School in 1969; and

WHEREAS, Charles Finley became an educator and taught music at Charles City County Public Schools from 1970 to 1974 and Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, from 1974 to 1976; and

WHEREAS, Charles Finley dedicated his life to education, beginning in 1977 and retiring in 2004 from the Virginia Department of Education, where he had served as assistant superintendent of educational accountability and as associate director for proprietary schools, including home schooling and business, trade and technical schools; he served as president of the National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools (NASASPS); and

WHEREAS, Charles Finley was a dedicated lifetime member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity with 40 years of devotion and service during which time he exemplified the four cardinal Principles—Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift; and

WHEREAS, Charles Finley moved to Richmond in 1970 and to Jackson Ward in 1984, the nation’s largest National Historic Landmark District associated with black history; and

WHEREAS, deeply devoted to Jackson Ward and its residents, Charles Finley guided and advocated for the neighborhood’s invigorated resurgence until his death in 2013; and

WHEREAS, an enthusiastic volunteer, Charles Finley worked to preserve Jackson Ward’s history and culture, and to improve life for his neighbors; and

WHEREAS, Charles Finley was a valued leader in many civic activities in the City of Richmond’s 2nd Council District, including MPACT and CAPS; and

WHEREAS, because of his dedication to his neighborhood, Charles Finley was considered “a bedrock, stabilizing force, and team leader in Historic Jackson Ward”; and

WHEREAS, Charles Finley acknowledged that he was happiest while spending time with his mother; watching his beloved Redskins with his daughter; advocating on behalf of Jackson Ward; volunteering with his fraternity; spending time with his family and friends; and watching parades; and

WHEREAS, Charles Finley was an exemplary role model to all who knew him, an ever quiet voice of reason and source of wisdom; and

WHEREAS, Charles Finley will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by his daughter, Iantha Finley Malbon; sister, Sandra Finley; ex-wife, Faye Finley; beloved friend, Larry Forrest; nieces and nephews; son-in-law, Bil Malbon; three step-granddaughters; Omega Psi Phi fraternity brothers; Jackson Ward neighbors; members of the Douglas Alumni Association; and many other friends and family members; 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 Charles Williams Finley, a dedicated volunteer and a proud leader in the City of Richmond; 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 Charles Williams Finley, as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.