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2018 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 284
Celebrating the life of Kenneth R. Shafer.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 23, 2018
Agreed to by the Senate, March 1, 2018

 

WHEREAS, Kenneth R. Shafer, who was a leader, a mentor, and a dedicated advocate for people living with multiple sclerosis, died on December 6, 2017; and

WHEREAS, driven by his generous spirit to help others in need, Kenneth Shafer became a public school teacher and accepted his first teaching assignment with Detroit Public Schools shortly after the 1967 riots; he inspired his young students to be independent thinkers and to develop a lifelong love of reading; and

WHEREAS, after 34 years, Kenneth Shafer retired from Utica Community Schools, where he taught English and was a passionate debate and forensics coach; he moved with his wife, Judy, to Smith Mountain Lake and became an active member of the local community; and

WHEREAS, Kenneth Shafer, who lived with multiple sclerosis (MS), was an avid volunteer and fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, participating in Walk MS in Virginia, West Virginia, Michigan, and North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Kenneth Shafer was a passionate MS activist, traveling often to Washington, D.C., and Richmond to support the adoption of both state and federal legislation to help people with MS live their best lives; he stalwartly led the Virginia Government Relations Advisory Committee for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society; and

WHEREAS, Kenneth Shafer proudly and steadfastly led an MS self-help group, where he could meet and give encouragement to other people living with the disease; and

WHEREAS, Kenneth Shafer’s wisdom, commitment, care, and compassion were contagious and will be fondly remembered by all who loved him, including his wife, Judy; his children, Bradley and Kathryn; his grandchildren; and numerous other family members and friends; and

WHEREAS, in a final selfless act, Kenneth Shafer donated his brain to a research lab, so that he can continue fighting to find a cure for MS; 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 Kenneth R. Shafer, a respected resident of the Commonwealth; 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 Kenneth R. Shafer as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.