Governor Warner Signs Executive Order Creating Civil Rights Memorial Commission
Governor Warner Signs Executive Order Creating Civil Rights Memorial Commission
Capitol Square memorial to honor Virginia's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement
Governor Mark R. Warner today signed Executive Order 96, creating the Civil Rights Memorial Commission. The Commission, which was established by the 2005 General Assembly through House Joint Resolution 790, is tasked with studying and recommending an appropriate memorial in Capitol Square commemorating the Civil Rights Movement, the influence Virginians had in the Movement, and the effects the Movement had on Virginia.
"This Commission moves us closer to the construction of a much-deserved and long-overdue memorial," Governor Warner said. "We must honor the considerable efforts and difficult struggle that moved Virginia down the road to equality. I look forward to working with the members of the Commission to determine the most fitting tribute."
The Commission consists of the Governor (who serves as Chair), the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules. In addition, the Commission also includes three members appointed by the Governor and one member of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House. The members are:
* Governor Mark R. Warner
* Lieutenant Governor Timothy Kaine
* Speaker of the House of Delegates William J. Howell
* Senator Thomas K. Norment, Jr., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules
* Delegate L. Preston Bryant, Jr.*
* The Honorable Leroy Hassell, Chief Justice of Virginia**
* Lisa Collis, First Lady of Virginia**
* Judith Anderson, former Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth**
* Appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates
** Appointed by the Governor
House Joint Resolution 790, which was endorsed without dissent in the Virginia Senate, passed 96-1 in the House of Delegates. According to the resolution, the Commission must complete its meetings by November 1, 2005, and submit a final report no later than the first day of the 2006 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2005/Jul05/0729.htm