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2016 SESSION

16104063D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 317
Offered February 17, 2016
Commending the Honorable Mamye E. BaCote.
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Patrons-- Price, Adams, Aird, Albo, Anderson, Bagby, Bell, John J., Bell, Richard P., Bell, Robert B., Boysko, Bulova, Byron, Campbell, Cline, Cole, Collins, Cox, Dudenhefer, Edmunds, Fariss, Farrell, Filler-Corn, Fowler, Freitas, Garrett, Gilbert, Greason, Helsel, Heretick, Herring, Hester, Hodges, Hope, Howell, Hugo, James, Jones, Keam, Kilgore, Knight, Krizek, Landes, Leftwich, LeMunyon, Levine, Lindsey, Lingamfelter, Lopez, Loupassi, Marshall, R.G., Mason, Massie, McClellan, McQuinn, Miller, Minchew, Morefield, Morris, O'Bannon, O'Quinn, Orrock, Peace, Plum, Pogge, Poindexter, Ransone, Robinson, Rush, Sickles, Simon, Spruill, Stolle, Sullivan, Taylor, Torian, Toscano, Tyler, Villanueva, Ward, Ware, Watts, Webert, Wilt, Wright, Yancey and Yost; Senators: Alexander, Barker, Black, Chafin, Cosgrove, Dance, Deeds, DeSteph, Dunnavant, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Hanger, Howell, Lewis, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, McEachin, McPike, Miller, Newman, Norment, Obenshain, Petersen, Ruff, Saslaw, Stanley, Stuart, Surovell, Vogel, Wagner and Wexton
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WHEREAS, the Honorable Mamye E. BaCote, a respected educator and devoted public servant who ably represented the residents of the 95th House District, retired from public office in 2016; and

WHEREAS, a native of Halifax, Mamye BaCote earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Union University and a master’s degree from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University); she pursued postgraduate studies at Dartmouth College and Exeter University in England; and

WHEREAS, Mamye BaCote helped prepare students for higher education, careers, and responsible citizenship as an educator for Newport News Public Schools and inspired young men and women as an adjunct professor at Hampton University; she offered her wise leadership to the community as a member of the Newport News City Council from 1996 to 2003; and

WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to the Commonwealth, Mamye BaCote was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2003; she served the residents of parts of Hampton and Newport News in the 95th House District from 2004 to 2016; and

WHEREAS, during her career in state government, Mamye BaCote introduced and supported numerous important pieces of legislation for the benefit of all Virginians; she was a passionate advocate for racial equality, gun control, and women’s rights; and

WHEREAS, Mamye BaCote offered her leadership and expertise as a member of the Committees on Appropriations; Transportation; and Health, Welfare and Institutions; she also served on the Virginia Youth Commission and the Board of Veterans Services; and

WHEREAS, an active leader in the local community, Mamye BaCote volunteers her time and leadership with Project Discovery Virginia, the National Council for Negro Women, the Newport News Public Art Foundation, and the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities; she is a life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and enjoys fellowship and worship with the community at Saint Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church; and

WHEREAS, Mamye BaCote earned numerous awards and accolades for her exceptional public service and philanthropy, including the 2005 NAACP Local Living Legends Award, 2008 Greater Peninsula Women’s Bar Association Recognition Award, 2014 Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Pro-Business Award, the Project Discovery award for support of Virginia’s children and first-generation college students, and many others; and

WHEREAS, a woman of great integrity, Mamye BaCote has served the Commonwealth with the utmost dedication and distinction; after her well-earned retirement, she plans to seek new opportunities to serve the community and spend more time with her family; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Honorable Mamye E. BaCote on the occasion of her retirement as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Honorable Mamye E. BaCote as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for her legacy of service to the residents of Hampton Roads.