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2018 SESSION

18100514D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 121
Offered February 6, 2018
Celebrating the life of Mary Ann Hovis.
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Patrons-- Howell, Barker, Deeds, Ebbin, Edwards, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, McClellan, McPike, Petersen, Saslaw, Spruill, Vogel and Wexton; Delegates: Adams, D.M., Ayala, Bell, John J., Bourne, Boysko, Bulova, Carr, Cole, Convirs-Fowler, Davis, Delaney, Filler-Corn, Gooditis, Guzman, Heretick, Herring, Hope, Hurst, Jones, J.C., Kory, Krizek, Landes, Lindsey, Lopez, Mullin, Murphy, Plum, Price, Rasoul, Reid, Rodman, Sickles, Simon, Sullivan, Ware and Watts
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WHEREAS, Mary Ann Hovis of Fairfax County, an accomplished information technology professional and a dedicated community leader who worked to increase civic engagement among women, died on August 26, 2017; and

WHEREAS, a native of Smyth County, Mary Ann Hovis earned a bachelor’s degree from what is now Radford University and conducted graduate studies at the University of Tennessee; she remained a loyal alumna of Radford University throughout her life, serving on the Board of Visitors for more than 12 years, including three terms as rector; and

WHEREAS, an active supporter of academics, athletics, and the arts at Radford University, Mary Ann Hovis also served on the Radford University Foundation Board of Directors and as president of the institution’s National Alumni Association; she received the institution’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her legacy of generous leadership; and

WHEREAS, Mary Ann Hovis began a long career in information technology as a systems engineer with NCR Federal Systems and became the company’s first woman sales representative; she went on to hold leadership positions with Northern Telecom Limited, Pyramid Technology Corporation, ConTel Federal Systems, and GTE Federal Networks; and

WHEREAS, after more than 30 years in the technology field, she retired as vice president of Suss Consulting, Inc., where she specialized in information technology marketing and strategic planning; she was also the first woman to serve as president of the National Capital Chapter of the Independent Telecommunications Pioneer Association; and

WHEREAS, Mary Ann Hovis was passionate about civic engagement and served as chair of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee and as vice chair of the Democratic State Central Committee and Virginia’s 10th Congressional District Democratic Committee; and

WHEREAS, Mary Ann Hovis inspired women to run for elected office as a member of Emerge Virginia, and she mentored and supported candidates for local government office as chair of the Pat Jennings Project, which was named in honor of her late father, the Honorable W. Pat Jennings; and

WHEREAS, Mary Ann Hovis will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her husband, Bob, and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Mary Ann Hovis, a highly admired community leader and a successful information technology professional; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Mary Ann Hovis as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.