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2019 SESSION

19103562D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 781
Offered February 1, 2019
Celebrating the life of Thelma Virginia Dodson.
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Patrons-- Murphy; Senator: Boysko
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WHEREAS, Thelma Virginia Dodson, a compassionate community leader in Loudoun County, died on June 29, 2018; and

WHEREAS, after 15 years with the Department of Defense and at age 47, Thelma Dodson changed careers and became a licensed practical nurse, devoting herself to home care and hospice work; and

WHEREAS, Thelma Dodson engaged in many community projects to give a voice to those in need, and she supported many causes about which she felt strongly, including the Loudoun County Mental Health Center, NAACP, Loudoun Douglass Alumni Association, and the Bluemont Concert Series; and

WHEREAS, when Thelma Dodson’s son, Poonie, died from HIV/AIDS in 1993, she offered support and solidarity at a time when those suffering from the disease were regarded with suspicion by some communities; and

WHEREAS, Thelma Dodson designed and made a panel in honor of her son for the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt and was a lead volunteer for the project, spending long hours and many days coordinating and unfolding the memorial quilt that contained 40,000 panels and 70,000 names; she was one of many distinguished readers selected to proudly announce those names on the steps of Capitol Hill; and

WHEREAS, in 2012, Thelma Dodson launched the Virginia Women for Obama organization, and between 2012 and the end of 2017, when she became ill, she worked on every local, state, and federal election campaign in Loudoun County; she spent many hours at campaign offices, where she was involved in canvassing, phone banking, training other volunteers, running staging locations, and providing food for volunteers and staffers; and

WHEREAS, Thelma Dodson was a consummate volunteer—efficient, energetic, organized, always kind-hearted, and always present when needed; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by one son, Poonie, Thelma Dodson will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her husband of 60 years, Alvin; her son, Alvin, Jr., and his family; and numerous other family members and friends; 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 Thelma Virginia Dodson, a passionate activist who made a difference in countless lives in Loudoun County; 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 Thelma Virginia Dodson as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.