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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

ADDENDUM

TO THE

SENATE and HOUSE CALENDAR

OF

THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2007

CONSENT CALENDAR

Concurrent Resolutions for Notice under Joint Rule 16

The following joint concurrent resolutions have been introduced for approval by the Senate and House and will be adopted automatically unless a Senator or Representative requests floor consideration before the end of the session of the next legislative day. Requests for floor consideration in either chamber should be communicated to the Secretary’s office and/or the House Clerk’s office, respectively.

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS

By Senators Giard and Ayer,

S.C.R. 23.

Senate concurrent resolution congratulating Morgan Lilly and Ethan Verberg for their prize-winning performances at the Vermont State Skills U.S.A. Diesel Competition.

Whereas, a statewide skills competition offers technical education students an exciting opportunity to apply their newly acquired knowledge and match their abilities against those of students from other schools, and

Whereas, Skills U.S.A. is a nationwide organization consisting of all students who attend technical or industrial secondary education institutions and who are enrolled in career education study programs, and

Whereas, annually, the top two technology students enrolled at each technical education center in the state are invited to compete in the Skills U.S.A. Diesel Competition, which in 2007 was held during March at the Vermont Air National Guard base in South Burlington, and

Whereas, the students representing the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Education Center (North Campus) swept the two top prizes, and

Whereas, Ethan Verberg was awarded the second-place silver medal in recognition of his excellent performance in the competition, and

Whereas, especially exciting was the first-place gold medal victory of Morgan Lilly for the second consecutive year, and

Whereas, Morgan Lilly will now proceed to the Skills U.S.A. Diesel Competition’s national finals to be held this June in Kansas City, Missouri, where the competing students will be presented with challenging diesel-related tests while vying for college scholarships and national recognition, and

Whereas, his student co-op experience at Green Mountain Kenworth in Shelburne, where Morgan Lilly works under the guidance of the owner of the business, Ken Cutler, will serve as excellent preparation, and

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Whereas, the success of both Morgan Lilly and Ethan Verberg at the Skills U.S.A. Diesel Competition state event in South Burlington is attributed to the students’ dedication to their studies, and the winners’ outstanding teachers at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Education Center (North Campus), including auto instructor, Ray Pinson, and diesel technical instructor, Phil Teer, now therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:

That the General Assembly congratulates Morgan Lilly and Ethan Verberg for their prize-winning performances at the Vermont State Skills U.S.A. Diesel Competition, and be it further

Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Morgan Lilly and Ethan Verberg at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center (North Campus).

By Senators Maynard, Coppenrath, Doyle and Illuzzi,

S.C.R. 24.

Senate concurrent resolution recognizing the role of former commissioner of banking and insurance George Chaffee in helping to establish the captive insurance industry in Vermont.

Whereas, George Chaffee worked for many years as an insurance agent before assuming the position of deputy commissioner of banking and insurance, and

Whereas, his excellent job performance as deputy commissioner led to his promotion to the commissioner’s office, and

Whereas, in accordance with the original legislation that authorized captive insurance companies in Vermont, Act 28 of 1981, a corporation may establish a captive insurance company whose purpose is insuring the risks of the parent and its affiliated companies, and

Whereas, captive insurance companies have provided the state of Vermont with a major economic infusion, as more than 500 U.S. companies, including 42 on the Fortune 100 list, have established these insurance entities in Vermont that, according to a 2006 article in Vermont Business Magazine, have resulted in the creation of 1,400 jobs, and, in 2005, netted $22.7 million in general fund revenue, and

Whereas, although the scope and breadth of the Vermont captive insurance industry has expanded significantly since its original legislative authorization, it would never have been born were it not for the patience and persistence of former Banking and Insurance Commissioner George Chaffee, who can accurately be described as one of its founding fathers, and

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Whereas, prior to the adoption of Act 28, captive insurance had been primarily an off-shore enterprise that was often associated with negative ethical connotations, and

Whereas, Commissioner Chaffee worked with local insurance agencies and out-of-state experts to develop a draft law for Vermont that would attract companies nationwide and provide reasonable, respectable, and accessible regulatory framework, and

Whereas, Act 81, and its subsequent amendments, have also benefitted the Vermont tourism industry as annual meetings of the state’s captive insurance companies attract many parent company personnel and their families to the state’s convention and recreation locations, and

Whereas, in reflecting on the history of the Vermont captive insurance, it is most fitting to acknowledge the formative and nurturing role of former Banking and Insurance Commissioner George Chaffee, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly is pleased to recognize the role of former Commissioner of Banking and Insurance George Chaffee in helping to establish the captive insurance industry in Vermont, and be it further

Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to the Vermont Insurance Agents Association.

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS

H.C.R. 142

House concurrent resolution thanking the utility crews, municipal employees, community organizations, and volunteers who assisted Rutland County in its storm-recovery effort

Offered by: Representatives McCormack of Rutland City, Acinapura of Brandon, Andrews of Rutland City, Baker of West Rutland, Chen of Mendon, Courcelle of Rutland City, Flory of Pittsford, Howard of Rutland City, Howrigan of Fairfield, Malcolm of Pawlet, Potter of Clarendon, Sunderland of Rutland Town and Trombley of Grand Isle

Offered by: Senators Carris, Maynard and Mullin

Whereas, on Monday, April 16, 2007, Rutland County experienced a storm that one climatologist described as a “nor’hurricane,” combining the attributes of both a nor’easter, which it was officially, and a hurricane in recognition of its severity with measured wind speeds in excess of 70 miles per hour, and

Whereas, the storm, Rutland County’s worst since the 1938 hurricane, hit Rutland City especially hard, and

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Whereas, more than 60,000 Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) customers lost power, including the utility’s own headquarters which then switched to its emergency generator, and

Whereas, no storm had ever caused more damage to the CVPS infrastructure in the company’s 77-year history, an estimated $3.5 million worth of damage to utility equipment alone, and

Whereas, CVPS marshaled the largest storm-recovery effort in its history with 204 line and tree crews, consisting of nearly 300 line workers, 100 tree cutters, and hundreds of support staff, including dozens of personnel from utilities and other corporations on both sides of the international border, who rushed to Rutland County and other parts of the state to provide invaluable assistance to CVPS as it worked intensively to restore power, and

Whereas, despite the magnitude of the storm, the nature of the electrical disruption, and the duration of the outages, the repair and restoration work was completed without any significant injuries to workers or citizens, and

Whereas, those companies contributing to this gigantic power restoration project included utilities and other line crew providers, including: the Burlington Electric Department, Green Mountain Power, the Ludlow Electric Light Department, Vermont Marble Company, Vermont Electric Cooperative, Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO), Energy East-Rochester Gas and Electric (New York), Hydro One (Ontario), Thiro, U.S.A. Inc. (Connecticut), Halpin Line Construction (Massachusetts), Charles Curtis Construction (Vermont), Bemis Line Construction (Vermont), Smith Construction (Vermont), Northline Utilities Company (New York), Three Phase Line Construction (New Hampshire), and Grattan Line Construction (Massachusetts); tree crews from Vaillancourt Tree Service (Vermont), Cummings & Son Land Clearing (Vermont), New England Tree Service (Vermont), Asplundh Tree Expert Company (Pennsylvania), New England Tree Service (Vermont), Davey Tree Expert Company (Ohio), Trees Incorporated (Vermont), and McLeod Brothers (New Hampshire); and traffic control support from three Vermont companies: Hunter North Associates, Green Mountain Traffic Control, and ADA Mountain Traffic Control, and

Whereas, among the many outstanding companies that assisted CVPS was its hometown neighbor VELCO which helped to coordinate communications among utilities and public safety officials and facilitated helicopter flights to pinpoint system and community damage, and

Whereas, VELCO’s essential role as Vermont’s electric power reliability resource was also exhibited when it provided a sizeable generator to assist Rutland City to pump water out of residents’ basements, and

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Whereas, the Rutland City police and fire departments, the American Red Cross, the Rutland Open Door Mission, and the Paramount Theatre, among others, provided invaluable assistance and support in the cleanup and recovery effort, and

Whereas, eighteen members of the Brandon Fire Department and their spouses, under the outstanding leadership of Chief Robert Kilpeck, fed, sheltered, and assisted hundreds of persons with the able assistance of the Brandon American Legion, and

Whereas, local media, including the Rutland Herald, WJJR, Cat Country, WEBK, and WSYB, provided a tremendous public service by informing the public of safety and storm restoration issues, and

Whereas, on Saturday, April 21, nearly 100 volunteers, including Mayor Christopher Louras and U.S. Representative Peter Welch, and members of the Castleton State student government, with special support from 40 employees of Casella Waste Systems, came out in a vibrant show of community support to lend a hand in the massive cleanup campaign, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly expresses its sincere appreciation to everyone, both professional and volunteer, who worked so diligently in the Rutland County storm-recovery effort, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Bob Young at Central Vermont Public Service, to John Donleavy at Vermont Electric Power Company, to John Casella at Casella Waste Systems, to Rutland City Mayor Christopher Louras, to the American Red Cross in Rutland, to the Rutland Open Door Mission, to the Paramount Theatre, to the Castleton State College student government, and to all the Vermont and out-of-state companies that provided invaluable assistance in this historic storm-recovery effort.

H.C.R. 143

House concurrent resolution honoring girl scouting in Vermont on the 95th anniversary of Girl Scouts U.S.A.

Offered by: Representatives Morrissey of Bennington, Acinapura of Brandon, Adams of Hartland, Ainsworth of Royalton, Allard of St. Albans Town, Ancel of Calais, Anderson of Montpelier, Andrews of Rutland City, Aswad of Burlington, Atkins of Winooski, Audette of S. Burlington, Baker of West Rutland, Barnard of Richmond, Bissonnette of Winooski, Bostic of St. Johnsbury, Botzow of Pownal, Branagan of Georgia, Bray of New Haven, Brennan of Colchester, Browning of Arlington, Canfield of Fair Haven, Chen of Mendon, Cheney of Norwich, Clark of St. Johnsbury, Clark of Vergennes,

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Clarkson of Woodstock, Clerkin of Hartford, Condon of Colchester, Consejo of Sheldon, Copeland-Hanzas of Bradford, Corcoran of Bennington, Courcelle of Rutland City, Davis of Washington, Deen of Westminster, Devereux of Mount Holly, Donaghy of Poultney, Donahue of Northfield, Donovan of Burlington, Dostis of Waterbury, Edwards of Brattleboro, Emmons of Springfield, Errecart of Shelburne, Evans of Essex, Fallar of Tinmouth, Fisher of Lincoln, Fitzgerald of St. Albans City, Flory of Pittsford, Frank of Underhill, French of Randolph, Gervais of Enosburg, Gilbert of Fairfax, Godin of Milton, Grad of Moretown, Haas of Rochester, Head of S. Burlington, Heath of Westford, Helm of Castleton, Hosford of Waitsfield, Howard of Rutland City, Howrigan of Fairfield, Hube of Londonderry, Hudson of Lyndon, Hunt of Essex, Hutchinson of Randolph, Jerman of Essex, Jewett of Ripton, Johnson of South Hero, Johnson of Canaan, Keenan of St. Albans City, Keogh of Burlington, Kilmartin of Newport City, Kitzmiller of Montpelier, Klein of East Montpelier, Koch of Barre Town, Komline of Dorset, Krawczyk of Bennington, Kupersmith of S. Burlington, Larocque of Barnet, Larrabee of Danville, Larson of Burlington, LaVoie of Swanton, Lawrence of Lyndon, Lenes of Shelburne, Leriche of Hardwick, Lippert of Hinesburg, Livingston of Manchester, Lorber of Burlington, Maier of Middlebury, Malcolm of Pawlet, Manwaring of Wilmington, Marcotte of Coventry, Marek of Newfane, Martin of Springfield, Martin of Wolcott, Masland of Thetford, McAllister of Highgate, McCormack of Rutland City, McCullough of Williston, McDonald of Berlin, McFaun of Barre Town, Milkey of Brattleboro, Miller of Shaftsbury, Minter of Waterbury, Mitchell of Barnard, Monti of Barre City, Mook of Bennington, Moran of Wardsboro, Morley of Barton, Mrowicki of Putney, Myers of Essex, Nease of Johnson, Nuovo of Middlebury, Obuchowski of Rockingham, O'Donnell of Vernon, Ojibway of Hartford, Orr of Charlotte, Otterman of Topsham, Oxholm of Vergennes, Partridge of Windham, Pearson of Burlington, Peaslee of Guildhall, Pellett of Chester, Peltz of Woodbury, Perry of Richford, Peterson of Williston, Pillsbury of Brattleboro, Potter of Clarendon, Pugh of S. Burlington, Randall of Troy, Rodgers of Glover, Scheuermann of Stowe, Shand of Weathersfield, Sharpe of Bristol, Shaw of Derby, Smith of Morristown, Spengler of Colchester, Stevens of Shoreham, Sunderland of Rutland Town, Sweaney of Windsor, Symington of Jericho, Trombley of Grand Isle, Turner of Milton, Valliere of Barre City, Westman of Cambridge, Weston of Burlington, Wheeler of Derby, Winters of Williamstown, Wright of Burlington, Zenie of Colchester and Zuckerman of Burlington

Offered by: Senators Ayer, Bartlett, Campbell, Carris, Collins, Condos, Coppenrath, Cummings, Doyle, Flanagan, Giard, Hartwell, Illuzzi, Kitchel, Kittell, Lyons, MacDonald, Maynard, Mazza, McCormack, Miller, Mullin, Nitka, Racine, Scott, Sears, Shumlin, Snelling, Starr and White

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Whereas, Girl Scouts U.S.A. is an outstanding program for girls that enables the participants to learn “the importance of responsibility, the value of goal setting, the spirit of team work, and the thrill of accomplishment,” and

Whereas, there are four fundamental Girl Scout goals, encouraging girls to “develop to their full potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop a meaningful set of values to guide their actions and to provide for sound decision-making; and to contribute to the improvement of society,” and

Whereas, Girl Scouting “is open to all girls without regard to race, religion, socio-economic background or ethnic origin,” and

Whereas, girls from kindergarten through high school can participate in Girl Scout programs as Daisy Girls (ages 5–6), Brownie Girl Scouts (ages 6–8), Junior Girl Scouts (ages 8–11), and Studio 2B teen members (ages 11–17), and

Whereas, in 1912, Juliette Gordon Low founded the first Girl Scout troop in Savannah, Georgia with 18 girls, and in 2007, Girl Scouts U.S.A. is proud to be marking its 95th anniversary, 3.6 million members strong throughout the United States, and

Whereas, the United States Congress chartered Girl Scouts U.S.A. in 1950, and

Whereas, the first documented Girl Scout troop in Vermont was established in 1918 in the community of Wilder, and, in 1964, Girl Scouts U.S.A. established the Girl Scout Council of Vermont, now one of more than 300 councils nationwide, to oversee girl scouting in the Green Mountain State, and

Whereas, today, over 6,000 girls and 2,000 adults are registered members of this state’s council, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly honors Girl Scouting in Vermont on the 95th

anniversary of Girl Scouts U.S.A., and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to the Girl Scout Council of Vermont.

H.C.R. 144

House concurrent resolution in memory of John Dostal of Bennington

Offered by: Representatives Morrissey of Bennington, Botzow of Pownal, Corcoran of Bennington, Krawczyk of Bennington, Livingston of Manchester, Miller of Shaftsbury, Mook of Bennington and Peltz of Woodbury

Offered by: Senators Hartwell and Sears

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Whereas, in 1980, John Dostal relocated from Garden City, New York to Bennington in order to reside near his son, and

Whereas, at the time of this move, he was past the age of three score and ten, but a whole new and meaningful life awaited him upon his arrival in southeastern Vermont’s largest community, and

Whereas, John Dostal began a love affair with the town of Bennington that continued until his death at age 98 on March 23, 2007, and

Whereas, the civic culture of Bennington benefited in numerous ways from John Dostal’s tangible and intangible contributions to his adopted community, and

Whereas, he was an active participant in community forums, including town meeting, and was always ready to champion a cause that he deemed worthy of his attention and advocacy, and

Whereas, his sharp political focus was not limited to topics of concern to older residents as exemplified by his speaking out on behalf of a proposed skateboard park at the March 2007 Bennington town meeting, and

Whereas, among John Dostal’s most passionate interests were Bennington’s historic preservation and the town’s physical beautification, and

Whereas, with respect to beautification, John Dostal rightfully earned the title “Mr. Lilac” for his decade-plus personal campaign to plant lilacs in Bennington both to enhance the community’s appearance and to attract tourists to visit, and

Whereas, his inspiration for this innovative idea was derived from a 1995 trip to view the Shelburne Museum’s Lilac Sunday which convinced him that a similar botanical adventure in Bennington would result in aesthetic and economic advantages, and

Whereas, John Dostal proceeded to plant more than 500 lilacs at various locations throughout Bennington, including in a landscaped area near the Bennington Chamber of Commerce, at an open space adjacent to Mount Anthony Union High School, and at a location on Route 9 near the Bennington Center for the Arts, and

Whereas, despite the lilacs’ predominate location on public property, he never requested reimbursement from the town or school district, considering these flowers as his gift to the community, and

Whereas, John Dostal was recognized in the 2005 Bennington town report which was dedicated in his honor, and he was designated the grand marshal of the 2006 Bennington Battle Day parade, and

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Whereas, the town of Bennington was extremely fortunate to have John Dostal as an integral member of the community for the past quarter century, and his memory will endure through his deeds and the beautiful lilacs that now grace the town’s landscape, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly extends its sympathy to the family of Bennington’s very own John Dostal “Mr. Lilac” and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to the family of John Dostal in Bennington.

H.C.R. 145

House concurrent resolution congratulating Southern Vermont College on its 80th anniversary

Offered by: Representatives Morrissey of Bennington, Botzow of Pownal, Corcoran of Bennington, Krawczyk of Bennington, Livingston of Manchester, Miller of Shaftsbury and Mook of Bennington


Whereas, Southern Vermont College is a postsecondary liberal arts educational institution located on a 371-acre campus situated in sight of the most southerly Green Mountains, and

Whereas, the college offers majors leading to 12 bachelor and eight associate degrees to a student body of approximately 450 students, and

Whereas, Southern Vermont College’s students have an ideal opportunity for learning as the average faculty-student ratio is an educationally conducive 15 to 1, and

Whereas, this small teaching-focused college began its existence in 1926 as St. Joseph College on a campus situated in downtown Bennington and under the governance of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and

Whereas, in 1974, the religious order relinquished control over the college, transferring ownership to an independent board of trustees, and the campus was moved to the nearby mountain view estate of the early 20th century business tycoon, Edward Everett, and

Whereas, within months of the school’s relocation, the trustees changed the college’s name to Southern Vermont College, and its religious affiliation was relinquished as it became a nonsectarian independent college, and

Whereas, the college has taken advantage of the original estate buildings, such as the main residence which serves as a theater and office facility, and

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built new structures, including student residences, to create a diverse and attractive campus setting, and

Whereas, Southern Vermont College has made great strides as an innovative educational institution, developing new student programs, including study abroad opportunities, and

Whereas, the college is looking forward to the future under the leadership of its recently appointed president, Karen Gross, and

Whereas, the greater Bennington area has benefited culturally and economically from the presence of Southern Vermont College in the community, and

Whereas, Southern Vermont College has recently proudly observed the 80th anniversary of the school’s establishment, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly congratulates Southern Vermont College on its 80th anniversary, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Southern Vermont College President Karen Gross in Bennington.

H.C.R. 146

House concurrent resolution congratulating the Destination Imagination teams from Randolph

Offered by: Representatives French of Randolph and Hutchinson of Randolph

Whereas, Destination Imagination is an outstanding academic program for young persons that fosters creative problem-solving and teamwork, and

Whereas, three participating teams from Randolph in the 2007 Vermont Destination Imagination tournament held on March 17 were crowned state champions, and

Whereas, one Randolph team, consisting of 4th- through 6th-graders, studied the elements of flight, visited the Lebanon, NH airport, and designed an apparatus to elevate paper airplanes from the floor to a launching area and then accurately deliver them to specified landing sites, and the team also performed a skit relating the tale of animals traveling to Jupiter, including extensive information about the solar system’s largest planet, and

Whereas, a second Randolph team, competing on the elementary school level, developed a scenario to solve a mystery case similar to the type featured on the CSI television programs, and the solution consisted of colorful

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characters including talented gymnasts, a lighted broom that picked up clues better than the naked eye, and the use of shadow as a crime-solving tool, and

Whereas, the third Randolph team competed at the middle school level, solving a CSI-type of mystery involving an art museum and its collection of original paintings and sculptures, and the team’s solution entailed an innovative and technically advanced projector-type gadget that the team created, as well as the use of light as a crime-solving tool, and

Whereas, the 18 Randolph students who were members of Vermont Destination Imagination 2007 state championship teams included Sasha Aronson, Jamie Barnard, Geoffrey Doering, Abby Dutton, Sadie Dutton, Virginia Finigan-Carter, Alyssa Miller, Noah Miller, Aubrey Pelletier, Gwendolyn Pelletier, Adam Palazzo, Thornton Raskevitz, Doug Reymore, Lindsey Schell, John Skoda, Erin Terwilliger, Brooke Thompson, and Timnah Zimmet, and

Whereas, as a result of becoming state champions, each of the three teams will travel to the Destination Imagination global finals to be held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in late May, and Randolph students will represent nearly 50 percent of the participating Vermonters at this international event, and

Whereas, the Boys and Girls Club of the White River Valley is serving as the teams’ fiscal agent and assisting with the fundraising effort, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly congratulates the 2007 Randolph-based Destination Imagination Vermont state championship teams and wishes the teams the best of success at the global finals to be held at the University of Tennessee, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Randolph Union High School, Randolph Elementary School, the Boys and Girls Club of the White River Valley, and to each team member listed in this resolution.

H.C.R. 147

House concurrent resolution congratulating Nathaniel Alexander Soares on being named the Vermont state winner of the 2007 AXA Achievement Scholarship

Offered by: Representatives French of Randolph and Hutchinson of Randolph

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Whereas, the AXA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AXA Equitable, awards annually 52 AXA Achievement Scholarships, one in each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to promising college-bound students, and

Whereas, the 2007 Vermont AXA Achievement Scholarship recipient is Nathaniel (Nate) Soares, a senior at Randolph Union High School, and

Whereas, the educational odyssey that resulted in his winning this prestigious college scholarship began without fanfare when Nate Soares had to select a senior project, a graduation requirement for all Randolph Union High School students, and

Whereas, Nate Soares was disappointed that, due to budgetary difficulties, his high school had closed its computer lab and discontinued computer science electives, and

Whereas, his strong desire to study computer science in preparation for college prompted Nate Soares to approach the school regarding his teaching a computer science course in place of the discontinued classes, and

Whereas, the strong reluctance of the faculty to authorize this student-taught course led Nate Soares to declare this academic pursuit as his senior class project and seek the support of the faculty at Randolph Technical Career Center (RTCC) and

Whereas, the computer instructor at RTCC permitted Nate Soares to use the computer classroom to teach his class which included students from both schools, and

Whereas, in order to solidify his preparation for teaching the class, he consulted Jeremy Lesniak, the proprietor of Randolph-based Vermont Computing, and completed a programming class at nearby Vermont Technical College and consulted teachers and textbooks on teaching methodologies, and

Whereas, the course, which he began teaching in January, has been a rewarding experience for both Nate Soares and his dozen students, and

Whereas, Nate Soares’ receipt of the AXA Achievement Scholarship recognizes the creative ingenuity of this young scholar who hopes to attend college at Tufts University, George Washington University, or the Rochester Institute of Technology, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly congratulates Nathaniel Alexander Soares on being named the Vermont state winner of the 2007 AXA Achievement Scholarship, and be it further

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Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Nathaniel Soares in Randolph.

H.C.R. 148

House concurrent resolution in memory of Gary Rosen

Offered by: Representatives Mrowicki of Putney, Deen of Westminster, Edwards of Brattleboro, Hube of Londonderry, Manwaring of Wilmington, Milkey of Brattleboro, Moran of Wardsboro, Nease of Johnson, Obuchowski of Rockingham, O'Donnell of Vernon, Partridge of Windham and Pillsbury of Brattleboro

Offered by: Senator White

Whereas, Gary Rosen, a native of Amherst, Massachusetts, and a graduate of Oberlin College, resided in Brattleboro for more than a quarter of a century, and

Whereas, he devoted nearly all of his professional musical career to entertaining children, both as a solo performer and as a member of Rosenshontz, a musical duet that began its existence in Greenwich Village, playing a repertoire of rock and folk music, and

Whereas, the duet’s performances at the Bronx Zoo attracted enthusiastic responses from families with young children, and Gary Rosen’s true musical career path was clear, and

Whereas, he left New York City for the welcoming community of Brattleboro where he polished his music for families while working in the public schools of Windham County, and

Whereas, Gary Rosen had a special understanding and appreciation for children, and they reciprocated with great enthusiasm to his comedic and engaging musical performances, and

Whereas, his television appearances included performances on the Disney Channel, the Showbiz program on CNN, the NBC Today Show, and, on the production side of the television camera, he composed music for public television’s Sesame Street characters, and

Whereas, among the many famous venues where Gary Rosen performed were the White House, the Smithsonian Institution, Town Hall in New York City, and the Colonial Theater in Boston, and, perhaps most interesting of all, Fenway Park, and

Whereas, Meet the Composer, a national organization dedicated to increasing “opportunities for composers by fostering the creation, performance, dissemination, and appreciation of their music,” and the Vermont Council for the Arts have each honored him, and

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Whereas, Gary Rosen’s recordings were recipients of a National Parenting Publication Award, a Children’s Music Web Award, and a Parent’s Choice Award, and

Whereas, this innovative and creative human being was diagnosed with always fatal Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, but his life was able to conclude at home with his family due to the wonderful community support system that his friends developed for him, and

Whereas, his wife Mary, children, Lela, Penn, and Eliza, and his many fans have lost a special husband, father, and friend, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly extends its sincere condolences to the family of the outstanding family entertainer Gary Rosen, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to the family of Gary Rosen in Brattleboro.

H.C.R. 149

House concurrent resolution honoring John and Joyce Miner for their devoted service on behalf of Vermont’s veterans

Offered by: Representatives Morrissey of Bennington, Corcoran of Bennington, Krawczyk of Bennington and Mook of Bennington

Whereas, John and Joyce Miner of Bennington are dedicated advocates on behalf of Vermont’s veterans, especially for those veterans who served in Vietnam, and

Whereas, he was a founding member of chapter 601 in Bennington of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), has served as its president, and as the VVA’s Vermont state council president, as regional director, and on several VVA national boards, and

Whereas, the VVA honored him as a Veteran of the Year in 2001, and in 2004, he was nominated to receive the VVA’s commendation award, and a number of distinguished individuals, including Governor Douglas, wrote letters of support, and

Whereas, a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic and a permanent display of 50 flagpoles with each pole flying one state’s flag are located on the grounds of the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington due to John Miner’s efforts, and

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Whereas, his leadership was critical in the creation of the original governor’s veterans advisory council and he later served as the council’s vice chair when it was reorganized in 2004, and

Whereas, mental health services that are provided to Vermont’s veterans have been improved due to John Miner’s persuasive advocacy, and

Whereas, Joyce Miner’s work as a VVA volunteer has been extensive, and

Whereas, since 1995, she has edited the VVA Bennington chapter’s monthly newsletter and has now served in this role for 144 consecutive issues, and

Whereas, she designed the logo for the VVA’s national veterans against drugs program, and locally, for the last 12 years, she has designed the Bennington VVA chapter’s race T-shirt, and she also created the support documentation that resulted in the Moving Wall’s two-week visit to Bennington in 1994, and

Whereas, she is the recipient of VVA awards on the local, state, and national levels, and

Whereas, in 1999, she was inducted into the Chapel of Four Chaplains in recognition of her work on veterans’ behalf, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly is pleased to honor John and Joyce Miner for their devoted service on behalf of Vermont’s veterans, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to John and Joyce Miner in Bennington.

H.C.R. 150

House concurrent resolution honoring retiring town manager Jerome Mann Remillard for his many years of public service in the town of Brattleboro

Offered by: Representatives Pillsbury of Brattleboro, Edwards of Brattleboro, Milkey of Brattleboro, O’Donnell of Vernon, Audette of S. Burlington, Deen of Westminster, Marek of Newfane, Mrowicki of Putney and Obuchowski of Rockingham

Whereas, Jerome (Jerry) Remillard was born in Brattleboro and is a 1965 graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, and

Whereas, although he departed from his hometown temporarily to attend Lyndon State College, from which he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1970, Jerry Remillard’s life has always been centered in Windham County, and

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Whereas, as soon as he earned his college degree, in the spring of 1970, Jerry Remillard accepted a position with the Brattleboro Public Works Department, and

Whereas, throughout the 1970s, he rose through the ranks as a water service staff person, and, in 1980, was promoted to the department’s utilities division supervisor, and

Whereas, he performed his duties efficiently and capably, and, in 1984, Jerry Remillard was named utilities superintendent, and he helped to oversee the construction of Brattleboro’s water treatment plant and the introduction of water filtration in the municipality, and

Whereas, his steady leadership in the utilities division earned him a further promotion in 1992 when he was designated as Brattleboro’s public works director, and

Whereas, in October 1995, Jerry Remillard was appointed acting Brattleboro town manager, and in May 1996, after a half-year’s service, the Brattleboro Selectboard made his appointment permanent, and

Whereas, the Brattleboro Selectboard designated June 22, 1996 as “Jerome Mann Remillard Day” in his honor, and

Whereas, during Jerry Remillard’s time as town manager, a number of significant infrastructure projects have been developed, including the Whetstone Pathway, the transportation center, the High Grove lot, and other civic improvements, including ornamental lighting in the downtown area, and

Whereas, in addition to his numerous fulltime municipal responsibilities, Jerry Remillard served for many years in the Brattleboro volunteer fire department, achieving the rank of captain, and he was responsible for saving a life during a downtown fire, and

Whereas, Jerry Remillard’s official retirement is scheduled for June 30, and he and his family, including his wife, Rosemary Anne Gerbino, are looking forward to the years ahead, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly honors Jerome Remillard for his many years of dedicated public service in the town of Brattleboro, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Jerry Remillard in Brattleboro.

H.C.R. 151

House concurrent resolution congratulating Hannah McMeekin and Garrett Bauman on their commendable service as United States Senate pages

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Offered by: Representatives French of Randolph, Hutchinson of Randolph, Helm of Castleton and Canfield of Fair Haven

Whereas, in the fall of 2006, two Vermont high school students, Hannah McMeekin of Braintree and Garrett Bauman of Castleton, were privileged to serve as pages in the United States Senate, and

Whereas, their desire and inclination to seek admittance to this extremely selective and competitive program for high school students resulted from each student’s eighth-grade experience serving as a page in the general assembly, and

Whereas, the historic and much-admired Vermont page program has inspired other students to serve as pages in the United States Congress and pursue careers in public service, and

Whereas, both of these young and civically aware Vermonters were leading members of the fall 2006 U.S. Senate page class as their service was marked by distinguished accomplishments, and

Whereas, Senator Leahy appointed Hannah McMeekin as a U.S. Senate page, and her character and willingness to serve resulted in her elevation to the position of head Democratic page, and

Whereas, despite the demands of serving as the head Democratic page, Hannah McMeekin maintained a 4.0 G.P.A. in her Congressional Page School classes that met in the extremely early morning hours before the Senate’s daily convening, and

Whereas, Garrett Bauman served as one of Senator Jeffords’ final appointees as a U.S. Senate page, and

Whereas, the Congressional Page School honored Garrett Bauman for his academic accomplishments in his history studies, and

Whereas, Hannah McMeekin and Garrett Bauman’s roles as United States Senate pages can inspire other young Vermonters to aspire to similar service in future years, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly congratulates Hannah McMeekin and Garrett Bauman on their commendable service as United States Senate pages, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Hannah McMeekin in Braintree and Garrett Bauman in Castleton.

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H.C.R. 152

House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2007 Lamoille Union High School Lady Lancers Division II championship girls’ basketball team

Offered by: Representatives Nease of Johnson and Martin of Wolcott

Offered by: Senator Bartlett

Whereas, after a powerful display of basketball prowess in the first three games of the post-season Division II playoffs, the Lamoille Union High School Lady Lancers stepped onto the basketball floor at the Barre Auditorium with a strong confidence that their first state championship in 17 years was only a single game away, and

Whereas, their single obstacle to achieving this goal was the Mt. Abraham Union High School Eagles who were eager to thwart the Lady Lancers’ aspirations of ending the 2006–2007 hoop campaign with a triumphant finale, and

Whereas, during the championship game’s first half, the Eagles demonstrated they were also serious contenders for the Division II crown, exiting from the court at halftime with a narrow 18–17 lead, and

Whereas, the Lady Lancers recognized the urgent need to reenergize as they returned to play the game’s, and, more importantly, the 2006–2007 season’s, final two quarters, and

Whereas, Lamoille found its second, third, and indeed fourth wind after the midgame break, outscoring Mt. Abraham 24–14 during the second half, and

Whereas, the Lady Lancers took advantage of the scoring opportunities that Eagle fouls created and scored 21 points from the foul line, and

Whereas, Lamoille’s Rachel Wellman and Alison Wells led the team with 16 points apiece, and, as the final buzzer sounded, their school was victorious with an impressive 41–32 come-from-behind win, and

Whereas, for the Lady Lancers, far more important than the championship win was senior and four-year starter Mackenzie Pratt’s playing the final 19.5 seconds of the game, and

Whereas, Mackenzie Pratt, a four-year Lamoille starter, had been sidelined since January 2007, and also during part of her junior year, while combating two separate bouts of cancer, and her presence on the court possessing the ball, and then cutting the basket’s strings after the final buzzer, was the sweetest victory of all, and

Whereas, this sterling squad of girl basketball players, consisting of Chantelle Locke, Becky Tisbert, Ashley Bryce, Rachel Wellman, Cory

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Palumbo, Mackenzie Pratt, Alison Wells, Cara Grogan, Angela Locke, and Lacey Williams, demonstrated an exemplary team spirit and appreciated the support of their managers Leah Lussier and Kaela Drown, and

Whereas, coach Tim Messier and assistant coaches Dave Palumbo, Dale Tatro, and Marc Cattelona were superb teachers and mentors, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly congratulates the 2007 Lamoille Union High School Lady Lancers Division II championship girls’ basketball team, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Tim Messier at Lamoille Union High School in Hyde Park.

H.C.R. 153

House concurrent resolution congratulating the American Cancer Society on the construction of the outstanding new Hope Lodge in Burlington

Offered by: Representatives Pugh of S. Burlington, Andrews of Rutland City, Bissonnette of Winooski, Donahue of Northfield, Donovan of Burlington, Errecart of Shelburne, Evans of Essex, Frank of Underhill, French of Randolph, Haas of Rochester, Head of S. Burlington, Hunt of Essex, Jerman of Essex, Johnson of South Hero, Klein of East Montpelier, Kupersmith of S. Burlington, Lenes of Shelburne, McAllister of Highgate, McCormack of Rutland City, McDonald of Berlin, Minter of Waterbury, Morrissey of Bennington, Mrowicki of Putney, Nease of Johnson, Orr of Charlotte and Pearson of Burlington

Whereas, cancer patients in need of extended chemotherapy or other specialized treatments must often travel long distances to a major medical center, such as Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, and

Whereas, although these individuals are treated typically as outpatients, it is often impossible for them to travel home each day, and

Whereas, in 1983, the American Cancer Society opened the Hope Lodge in Burlington to enable cancer patients at Fletcher Allen to conserve their strength and have ready access to the hospital, and

Whereas, although the Burlington Hope Lodge has provided free housing and wonderful support to thousands of cancer patients for the past 24 years, the current building is now far too small to meet the demand for its limited space, it lacks many basic amenities, and the structure is not handicapped accessible, and

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Whereas, the American Cancer Society, recognizing the importance of constructing a larger and more guest-friendly facility, conducted a successful fundraising campaign that raised four million dollars to finance the construction of a new Hope Lodge on the Fletcher Allen Health Care campus, and

Whereas, the new structure, which is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2007, is designed with both the need to accommodate more guests and their individual comfort in mind, and

Whereas, the new state-of-the art building will consist of 13,000 square feet of space, tripling the current structure’s capacity; be fully handicapped accessible; feature 16 private suites, including accommodations for immune-suppressed patients, contain a large community kitchen, a spacious living room, and modern laundry facilities; and include an outdoor meditation garden and space for alternative therapies such as yoga and massage, and

Whereas, the new Hope Lodge represents a long-awaited improvement in the quality and breadth of residential care and support that the American Cancer Society is able to offer patients being treated at Fletcher Allen Health Care, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly congratulates the American Cancer Society on the construction of the outstanding new Hope Lodge in Burlington, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to the American Cancer Society in South Burlington.

H.C.R. 154

House concurrent resolution honoring Brattleboro Fire Chief David J. Emery

Offered by: Representatives Pillsbury of Brattleboro, Edwards of Brattleboro, Milkey of Brattleboro and O’Donnell of Vernon

Whereas, when Dave Emery served as fire chief for a day as a Brattleboro Union High School student, he already knew the course of his real life career, and

Whereas, upon graduation from high school in 1970, he immediately joined the Brattleboro fire department and commenced a career that took him from new recruit to his community’s fire chief, and

Whereas, in 1972, just two years after donning his firefighter’s coat for the first time as a member of the force, Dave Emery was named firefighter of the year, and

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Whereas, Dave Emery was promoted to the rank of captain in 1977 and a decade later, in 1987, was designated Brattleboro’s assistant chief, and

Whereas, after only two years in the role of assistant chief, Dave Emery became the Brattleboro fire department’s chief, and he has performed successfully in this important office, and

Whereas, recognizing the importance of teaching young persons the primary elements of fire prevention, Dave Emery taught a fire service course and served on the fire service class advisory board at Brattleboro Union High School, and

Whereas, Dave Emery has assumed significant firefighting-associated roles serving as vice chair and chair of the Vermont State Firefighters Association Training Council and separately in similar roles on the association’s training committee, past and current president of the Vermont Career Chief’s Association, a state forest fire warden, an instructor for the National Incident Command System, past president, secretary, and director of South Western District Fire Mutual Aid System in Keene, New Hampshire, an executive board member for the 13th ambulance district, chair of the Brattleboro Central Dispatch board of directors, and vice chair of the International Association of Red Knights, and

Whereas, his community activities have also consisted of volunteer service on behalf of the Brattleboro Land Trust, the American Red Cross, and St. Michael’s School, and

Whereas, Dave Emery is a veteran of the Vermont National Guard, having attained the rank of sergeant and having served as both a recruiting and tank commander prior to his honorable discharge, and

Whereas, Dave Emery is now concluding his tenure in this public safety role and looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Shirley, and his entire family, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly honors Brattleboro Fire Chief David J. Emery for his professional leadership and public service, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Brattleboro Fire Chief David Emery.

H.C.R. 155

House concurrent resolution congratulating Dorothy McGuire of Shaftsbury on her 100th birthday

Offered by: Representatives Miller of Shaftsbury, Botzow of Pownal, Browning of Arlington, Corcoran of Bennington, Hube of Londonderry,

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Komline of Dorset, Krawczyk of Bennington, Malcolm of Pawlet, Manwaring of Wilmington, Mook of Bennington, Moran of Wardsboro and Morrissey of Bennington


Whereas, on the 5th of June in 1907, Dorothy McGinnis was born into a large Irish family residing in the town of Shaftsbury under the watchful eyes of her parents Timothy and Margaret (Fitzgerald) McGinnis, and

Whereas, she graduated from the former North Bennington High School, and, on July 4, 1939 was married to George H. McGuire, and

Whereas, Dorothy and George McGuire raised two children, Michael and Peggy, and today, she is the grandmother of six grandchildren and is also a great-grandmother several times over, and

Whereas, for many years, Dorothy McGuire was employed at Bennington College prior to her retirement in 1973, and

Whereas, Dorothy McGuire was active in community affairs, participating in many civic and church related activities, and

Whereas, her civic endeavors have encompassed an avid interest in politics, and she has long been proud to be a Democrat, and

Whereas, as are all right-thinking professional baseball fans in New England, Dorothy McGuire is an avid Red Sox fan and was thrilled when they won the World Series in 2004, and

Whereas, Dorothy McGuire has had the great fortune of traveling to her ancestral homeland of Ireland on many occasions, and

Whereas, she is a grand lady with a cheerful smile, a generous heart, and a caring spirit who has seen many changes in the world during the last century, and

Whereas, on June 5, 2007, Dorothy McGuire will observe that most auspicious of occasions, her 100th birthday, in grand style with her family members in attendance, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly congratulates Dorothy McGuire of Shaftsbury on her 100th birthday, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Dorothy McGuire in Shaftsbury.

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H.C.R. 156

House concurrent resolution honoring Jane Altobell for her outstanding 35-year career as the Shaftsbury School nurse

Offered by: Representative Miller of Shaftsbury


Whereas, Jane Altobell was born and raised in Rutland and graduated from both Mount Saint Joseph Academy and the former St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Pittsfield, and

Whereas, with an R.N credential in hand, Jane Altobell began her professional nursing career on the staff of the Rutland Hospital, as that medical facility was then known, and, on moving to Bennington County, she joined the staff of Southern Vermont Medical Center on a part-time basis, and

Whereas, for the last 35 years, the Shaftsbury Elementary School has been extremely fortunate to have Jane Altobell serve as its on-site school nurse, and

Whereas, this often indescribable job can encompass duties far broader than those typically considered the purview of a nurse counselor, and

Whereas, Jane Altobell is the dispenser of fluoride to her students, assists students with bus directions, serves as her school’s path to wellness coordinator, mends children’s clothes, maintains the student attendance register, and provides students’ snacks, and

Whereas, aside from a demanding schedule of providing direct services and support to children, she also serves on all school committees related to the students’ health and well-being, and

Whereas, for over two decades, Jane Altobell has played a broader role in local educational administration serving as the school’s representative to the Shaftsbury school board, and

Whereas, she has been an active member, and served as an officer, of the local chapter of the Vermont State School Nurses Association, and

Whereas, Jane Altobell is compassionate, outgoing, fun to be with, and a person who always demonstrates enormous energy as she performs her varied and numerous duties with the greatest possible integrity, and

Whereas, she is a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church, and

Whereas, she now looks forward to her retirement from the Shaftsbury Elementary School at the conclusion of the current academic year, now therefore be it


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That the General Assembly honors Jane Altobell for her outstanding 35-year career as the Shaftsbury Elementary School nurse and wishes her the best possible retirement, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Jane Altobell and to the Shaftsbury Elementary School.

H.C.R. 157

House concurrent resolution honoring Richford assistant town clerk Joyce Wetherby

Offered by: Representatives Perry of Richford and McAllister of Highgate

Offered by: Senators Illuzzi and Starr

Whereas, Joyce Wetherby was born in Canada, moved to Richford as a youngster, and was naturalized as an American citizen, and

Whereas, in 1971, Joyce Wetherby commenced a fulfilling career as the Richford assistant clerk-treasurer, and

Whereas, for her first 15 years on the job, she worked successfully in these dual and closely related offices of community trust under the direction of Richford clerk-treasurer Wendell Fortier, and

Whereas, when Gary Snider assumed the clerk-treasurer’s position in 1986, he recognized the invaluable role that Joyce Wetherby had played in municipal government, and he requested her to remain in her post, and

Whereas, prior to the merger of the village and town of Richford into a unified municipality in 1998, she served as assistant clerk-treasurer for both local governments, and

Whereas, Joyce Wetherby is proud to be one of the few assistant clerk-treasurers in the state to have earned designation as a certified Vermont clerk and certified Vermont treasurer, and

Whereas, she has been an active member of several professional organizations, including the Franklin County Clerk and Treasurers’ Association, the Vermont Municipal Clerks and Treasurers’ Association, and the New England Association of City and Town Clerks, and

Whereas, Joyce Wetherby is a founding member of the Richford Ambulance Committee that oversees the town’s ambulance service, and she has also served for many years on the Richford Parade Committee, the panel that plans the town’s annual hometown weekend during the first weekend of each July, and

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Whereas, Joyce Wetherby is an upstanding Vermonter who has helped assure that the administration of municipal affairs in Richford is performed competently, courteously, and ethically, and

Whereas, after 36 years as the highly respected Richford assistant clerk-treasurer, Joyce Wetherby will conclude her public service career upon retirement in July 2007, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly honors Richford assistant town clerk-treasurer Joyce Wetherby for her dedication and outstanding public service during the past 36 years and wishes her an enjoyable retirement, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Joyce Wetherby in Richford and to Richford town clerk Gary Snider.

H.C.R. 158

House concurrent resolution honoring Roger Gendron for his public service on behalf of the citizens of Richford



Whereas, Roger Gendron was born in Richford where he continues to reside on a farm that he owns and operates and began to work on as a teenager, and

Whereas, he has a deep appreciation for his hometown, and he is committed to improving Richford’s economic well-being and pursuing public policies that are in the municipality’s best interests, and

Whereas, he has served the community in a number of public roles over the course of several decades, and

Whereas, for most of his adult life, Roger Gendron has been a vital and active member of the Richford volunteer firefighting force, and

Whereas, for a significant number of years, he has been responsible for the maintenance of the town’s highways throughout the seasons as the Richford road commissioner, and

Whereas, from 1983 until his voluntary retirement in 2007, Roger Gendron brought his extensive familiarity with issues facing the town to the decision-making table as a member of the Richford selectboard, and

Whereas, his role on the selectboard was constructive and contributed to efficient and wise decision-making on matters of local governance, and

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Whereas, his example of community service will serve as a model for others to emulate, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly honors Roger Gendron for his public service on behalf of the citizens of Richford, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Roger Gendron in Richford and to the Richford selectboard.

H.C.R. 159

House concurrent resolution congratulating Gordon DeLong on the completion of his exemplary career as Pittsford town clerk-treasurer

Offered by: Representatives Flory of Pittsford and Acinapura of Brandon

Offered by: Senators Carris, Maynard and Mullin

Whereas, the town of Pittsford’s municipal administration has been under the watchful eyes of town clerk-treasurer (and school district clerk) Gordon (Gordie) DeLong since the 1960s, and

Whereas, his careful attention to detail, friendly personality, and impeccable ethics have convinced the Pittsford electorate to retain this unpretentious Vermonter as its town clerk for over four decades, and

Whereas, Gordie DeLong had viewed public service as his preferred employment following his honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1963, and

Whereas, while investigating possible federal civil service opportunities, he agreed to utilize his considerable administrative skills in the Pittsford town clerk’s office on a temporary basis, and

Whereas, within months of beginning this supposedly short detour in his intended career path, the Pittsford town clerk died, and the selectboard requested Gordie DeLong to remain as the new acting town clerk until town meeting day 1964, and

Whereas, working on the assumption that this would be a brief extension of his sojourn into the intricacies of Vermont municipal government, Gordie DeLong consented without realizing that he had effectively signed an employment contract, subject to periodic electoral retention votes, of over 40 years duration, and

Whereas, his tenure though much of the second half of the 20 th century, and more than half of the 21st century’s first decade, has been a time of transformation both demographically and administratively for the town of Pittsford, and

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Whereas, Gordie witnessed the population of Pittsford increase from approximately 2,000 to 3,200 as the community became more of a bedroom suburb of Rutland and far less agricultural, and

Whereas, his leadership was instrumental in the construction of a new municipal office building, and the town’s more complicated operations led to the selectboard’s expansion from thee to five members, and

Whereas, although Gordie DeLong has now retired, and looks forward to spending more time with his family and hobbies, the Pittsford selectboard is delighted that he will remain available, especially at town meeting time, to lend a welcome and experienced helping hand, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly congratulates Gordon DeLong on the completion of his exemplary career as Pittsford town clerk-treasurer, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Gordon DeLong in Pittsford and to the Pittsford selectboard.

H.C.R. 160

House concurrent resolution in memory of William H. Leach

Offered by: Representatives Heath of Westford, Anderson of Montpelier, Audette of S. Burlington, Westman of Cambridge, Atkins of Winooski, Aswad of Burlington, Bissonnette of Winooski, Errecart of Shelburne, Evans of Essex, Frank of Underhill, Godin of Milton, Head of S. Burlington, Hunt of Essex, Keogh of Burlington, Kupersmith of S. Burlington, Larson of Burlington, Lenes of Shelburne, Lippert of Hinesburg, Lorber of Burlington, McCullough of Williston, Minter of Waterbury, Myers of Essex, Orr of Charlotte, Pearson of Burlington, Peterson of Williston, Pugh of S. Burlington, Weston of Burlington, Wright of Burlington, Zenie of Colchester and Zuckerman of Burlington

Offered by: Senators Condos, Flanagan, Lyons, Mazza, Miller, Racine, Snelling

Whereas, William (Bill) Leach was a lifelong Vermonter who was born in St. Albans and graduated from the former Cathedral High School and the University of Vermont, and

Whereas, after completing his education and serving in the U.S. Navy, he held accounting positions in the private sector, and

Whereas, Bill Leach’s desire to own a business led him on a decade-long entrepreneurial odyssey as the proprietor of the Cambridge General Store, and

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Whereas, for the last two decades, he had served as a much-respected agent for the New York Life Insurance Company, and

Whereas, although Bill Leach was successful and respected in the business community, his nearly quarter of a century of service and distinguished leadership on municipal and regional legislative bodies represents his true legacy to Vermont, and

Whereas, his first election to public office was to the Burlington Board of Aldermen on which he served conscientiously for three years, and

Whereas, after his family moved to Westford, Bill Leach sought to serve his new hometown, and, in 1985, he commenced a tenure of municipal service on the Westford Selectboard that was highly respected and lasted for the next 21 years, and

Whereas, upon his election to the selectboard, his stated objective was to “get involved and use his education, experience and common sense to keep the town going down the path that previous Selectboards had started on,” and

Whereas, Bill Leach’s common-sense thinking also proved useful when mediating canine conflicts, of which he reported numerous cases, and explaining to new residents residing along dirt roads the not-so-hard facts of mud season, and

Whereas, his administrative talents were recognized in short order, and, in 1988, Bill Leach was appointed to represent Westford on the Chittenden Solid Waste Board of Commissioners, and he chaired this critical panel for the last dozen years, and

Whereas, the Metropolitan Planning Organization also benefited greatly from Bill Leach’s presence on its board as Westford’s representative, and

Whereas, the secretary of state presented him with a public service award in recognition of his outstanding service on the Westford Selectboard, and

Whereas, when he stepped down from the Westford Selectboard in 2006, the annual town report was dedicated in his honor, and

Whereas, Bill Leach waged an admirable battle against brain cancer before his death on May 3rd, and his wife, Janice, four sons, Guy, Andrew, Scott, and Todd, his 11 grandchildren, and many friends in Westford and throughout Chittenden County mourn his passing, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly expresses its sincere condolences to the family of William H. Leach, and be it further

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Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Janice Leach in Westford, to the Westford Selectboard, and to the Chittenden Solid Waste District in Williston.

H.C.R. 161

House concurrent resolution honoring Margaret Larivee for her dedicated public service on behalf of the town of Richford



Whereas, Margaret Larivee has served devotedly for many years the town of Richford to which she moved as a child, and

Whereas, while raising her family, and holding a job beyond that primary responsibility, Margaret Larivee was always ready to meet a challenge, and she made a commitment and found the time to serve her community and church in many ways, and

Whereas, the availability of first responder services in Richford was of great personal importance, and, in pursuit of this objective, she joined the Richford Ambulance Service and became one of its most active members, and

Whereas, in later years when the town’s emergency services were in need of a radio dispatcher, she rose to the occasion and volunteered for this essential task as did her mother, Theresa Messier, and both these dedicated citizens operated the emergency telephone system around the clock for many years, and

Whereas, in 1990, Margaret Larivee became the second woman ever elected to the Richford Selectboard, and her wise presence on this municipal governing body continued unabated until she decided to step down, effective Town Meeting Day 2007, and

Whereas, while the selectboard will no longer have the benefit of her counsel, Margaret Larivee remains a Richford justice of the peace, an office she has held for more than a quarter of a century, and

Whereas, Margaret Larivee will continue her work on countless other boards and committees in Richford and elsewhere in Franklin County, and

Whereas, her unselfish community service, which at times has been very demanding, merits special recognition, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly is pleased to honor Margaret Larivee for her dedicated public service on behalf of the town of Richford, and be it further

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Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Margaret Larivee in Richford and to the Richford selectboard.

H.C.R. 162

House concurrent resolution commemorating the proud history of the Catamount Elementary School in Bennington

Offered by: Representative Morrissey of Bennington

Whereas, the Catamount School in Bennington takes great pride in its motto “a place where everyone belongs” which makes every student feel he or she is truly a part of the school community, and

Whereas, the campus that encompasses the Catamount Elementary School is rich in local educational history, and

Whereas, the older wing of the school was constructed in 1900 as the home of St. Francis de Sales Academy and served as that school’s home until it closed in June 1970, and

Whereas, beginning in September 1970, the Brookside School, a Bennington public school, occupied the 1900 structure for three years until merging with the adjacent Catamount School, in 1973, and

Whereas, the Catamount School’s more-recently-built section opened in 1956 as Bennington Catholic High School, and it continued in that role until the Mount Anthony Union High School began renting the building in September 1967 after Bennington Catholic High School’s closure the prior June, and

Whereas, Mount Anthony Union High School relinquished the site in September 1968 when the Catamount Elementary School, a unit of the Bennington public schools, became the new occupant, and

Whereas, the two buildings were connected physically at the time these two Bennington public schools merged in 1973, and

Whereas, during the past 34 years, the Catamount Elementary School has offered a number of unusual academic services and programs, and

Whereas, for 15 years, the Catamount Elementary School has housed an intensive special education curriculum known as the Life Skills Program or IDEALS, and

Whereas, since August 2000, the school has offered educational services for the deaf, making it only the second Vermont school to host a program designed for deaf students and the first elementary school in the state to offer sign language as an extracurricular activity, and

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Whereas, the Catamount Elementary School was honored as the recipient of a prestigious Creative Ticket National School of Distinction Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts for the 2000–2001 school year, and 23 of the school’s 6th graders journeyed to our nation’s capital to perform at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and

Whereas, the proud history of the Catamount School will conclude its current chapter this June with the closure of its doors, and

Whereas, the students, parents, teachers, and administrators of the Catamount Elementary School successfully met many challenges during the school’s final academic year, now therefore be it


That the General Assembly commemorates the proud history of the Catamount Elementary School in Bennington and extends best wishes to all those individuals associated with this outstanding public elementary school, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Mackenzie King, principal of the Catamount Elementary School in Bennington.

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