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2020 SESSION

20106370D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 357
Offered February 27, 2020
Celebrating the life of Betsy Samuelson Greer.
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Patrons-- Hope, Aird, Bell, Levine, Lopez, Ransone, Rush, Sullivan and Watts; Senators: Barker, Cosgrove, Deeds, Ebbin, Favola, Hanger and Howell
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WHEREAS, Betsy Samuelson Greer, a dedicated mental health advocate and hero to many in the Arlington community, died on November 3, 2019; and

WHEREAS, born in Burlington, Vermont, Betsy Greer graduated from Oberlin College in 1961 and spent the early years of her career first as a reporter in Montpelier, Vermont, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later as a congressional aide to United States Senators George Aiken and Patrick Leahy; and

WHEREAS, after facing the challenges presented by mental health disorders in their own family, Betsy Greer and her husband, Richard, were inspired to found the Arlington chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, becoming impassioned advocates for greater mental health services in the community; and

WHEREAS, for 30 years as a National Alliance on Mental Illness volunteer, Betsy Greer worked tirelessly to improve mental health services on the local level and served as a lifeline to many individuals and families in need; and

WHEREAS, the Richard and Betsy Greer Advocacy Award, presented annually by the National Alliance on Mental Illness to honor a member within the organization who has advanced mental health policy and advocacy efforts, is a testament to the couple’s legacy within the organization; and

WHEREAS, in pursuit of providing greater care to those struggling with mental health disorders in her community, Betsy Greer served on the Arlington County Community Services Board and with the Friends of Clarendon House; and

WHEREAS, recognizing the invaluable support she provided to countless individuals, Betsy Greer received the James B. Hunter III Community Hero Award for Lifetime Achievement at Arlington’s Neighborhood Day in 2006 and the Distinguished Service Award from her alma mater, Oberlin College, in 2011; and

WHEREAS, inspired by her faith to serve others, Betsy Greer enjoyed fellowship and worship at Kol Ami, the Northern Virginia Reconstructionist Jewish Community, where she was a long-standing member; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by her husband of 21 years, Richard, Betsy Greer will be dearly remembered and missed by her sister, Miriam; her stepchildren, Kimberly, Teresa, Gretchen, Martha, Sarah, and Richard; 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 Betsy Samuelson Greer, champion of those living with mental health disorders and their families; 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 Betsy Samuelson Greer as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.