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2015 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 782
Commending Frank Robinson.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 13, 2015
Agreed to by the Senate, February 19, 2015

 

WHEREAS, Frank Robinson, the longtime president and chief executive officer of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden who helped the garden grow to become one of the most respected cultural institutions in the Commonwealth, retires in March 2015 after 23 years of leadership; and

WHEREAS, upon joining Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in 1992 as executive director, Frank Robinson set out to improve the quality of life of his fellow Richmond residents by transforming the garden into a Virginia landmark that offers a deep and fulfilling connection to the local environment; and

WHEREAS, Frank Robinson became president and chief executive officer of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in 2011; during his tenure, the garden developed more than 50 acres of themed areas and expanded public facilities, including a visitors center, conservatory, and education complex; and

WHEREAS, a passionate conservationist, Frank Robinson encouraged the use of native plants in the gardens and instituted water preservation and management programs; 90 percent of the outdoor areas at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden are irrigated by filtered stormwater runoff; and

WHEREAS, working to further enhance the lives of Richmond residents, Frank Robinson established the Community Kitchen Garden, which has provided thousands of pounds of produce and healthy meal options to those in need; he has also worked with city leaders to expand green spaces and support urban revitalization efforts; and

WHEREAS, in addition to expanding collections, exhibits, and displays at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Frank Robinson affirmed the garden’s commitment to education; tens of thousands of students have benefited from curriculum-based classes, hands-on activities, workshops, and lectures; and

WHEREAS, Frank Robinson led a capital campaign that raised $42 million for Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and oversaw the creation of the GardenFest of Lights, an annual holiday light display that drastically increased winter visitation to almost 70,000 people each year; and

WHEREAS, under Frank Robinson’s leadership, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden earned many awards and accolades, including the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, and it has been consistently ranked as one of the top gardens in the United States and North America by various publications; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Frank Robinson on the occasion of his retirement as president and chief executive officer of the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Frank Robinson as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his visionary leadership of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and unique contributions to the Richmond community.