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2021 SESSION

21102981D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 632
Offered January 27, 2021
Commending Redella S. Pepper.
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Patrons-- Herring, Levine, Adams, D.M., Askew, Ayala, Bulova, Carr, Cole, J.G., Cole, M.L., Convirs-Fowler, Delaney, Hayes, Helmer, Heretick, Hope, Jenkins, Keam, Kory, Krizek, McQuinn, Mundon King, Plum, Rasoul, Reid, Samirah, Simon, Simonds, Subramanyam, Ware and Watts; Senators: Barker, Ebbin, Saslaw, Bell, Boysko, Deeds, Hashmi and Howell
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WHEREAS, Redella S. Pepper, former vice mayor of the City of Alexandria who has admirably served her community for the past 35 years as a member of the Alexandria City Council, will retire in 2021; and

WHEREAS, prior to settling in Alexandria in 1968, Redella “Del” S. Pepper earned a bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College, studied at the University of Wisconsin, and worked for five years as a social worker in Chicago, Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Del Pepper was elected in 1985 to the Alexandria City Council, proudly representing the city’s West End for 35 years, as well as serving as the city’s vice mayor from 1996 to 1997, from 2003 to 2006, and from 2007 to 2009; and

WHEREAS, Del Pepper’s tenure on the Alexandria City Council was characterized by her unwavering commitments to protecting the environment, enhancing neighborhood safety, supporting area schools, promoting the arts, and fostering local businesses and the economy; and

WHEREAS, along with advocating for many improvements in the West End, Del Pepper was instrumental to Alexandria’s Eco-City Charter in 2008 and helped to oversee the closing of the GenOn Power Plant in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Del Pepper offered invaluable leadership and expertise as co-chair of the Beauregard Street Corridor Task Force, the Alexandria-Arlington Task Force on the Waste-To-Energy Plant, and the Welfare Reform Committee; her involvement extended to Alexandria’s Commission on Aging, Commission on Information Technology, and Facilities Naming Committee; and

WHEREAS, Del Pepper was a forceful proponent for effective regional collaboration, formerly serving as president of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Corporation and on the organization’s Air Quality Committee and board of directors; she is currently a member of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, serving as chair of the organization’s Regional Resources Committee; and

WHEREAS, an active and engaged member of her community, Del Pepper has given generously of her time and talents to the boards of various local civic organizations, including the YMCA, the T.C. Williams High School Parent Teacher Student Association, the Alexandria Arts Forum, Bienvenidos, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program; and

WHEREAS, a champion for greater diversity and inclusivity in her community who has been committed to ensuring Alexandria works for the benefit of all, Del Pepper served as vice president of the Alexandria branch of the NAACP and as board member of the Alexandria Community Services Board, while maintaining affiliations with the Urban League and the League of Women Voters; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of her extraordinary efforts, Del Pepper was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades over the years, including the Jaycees Appreciation Award, the Council of Senior Citizens Organization’s Outstanding Women of Alexandria Award, the Alexandria NAACP’s Outstanding Service Award, and the Commission for Women’s Living Legend Award; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Redella S. Pepper, former vice mayor and longtime councilwoman for the City of Alexandria, on the occasion of her retirement; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Redella S. Pepper as an expression of the General Assembly’s profound admiration for her exemplary service and best wishes for a long and fulfilling retirement.