AJR84: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-3367/3

SRM:wlj:jf

2009 - 2010 LEGISLATURE

2009 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 84

October 21, 2009 - Introduced by Representatives Berceau, Hebl, Black, Pocan, Parisi, Zepnick, Pope-Roberts, Danou, Grigsby, Fields, Toles, Mason, Townsend and Sinicki, cosponsored by Senators Miller, Risser, Lehman, Lassa, Coggs, Wirch and Erpenbach. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR84,1,1 Relating to: the life and public service of Velma Hamilton.

AJR84,1,4 Whereas, Velma Fern Bell Hamilton, who for decades served as a devoted educator and active citizen, passed away at the age of 99 on Thursday, July 9, 2009, in Atlanta, Georgia; and

AJR84,1,8 Whereas, Velma Bell was born in Pontotoc, Mississippi, on February 28, 1910, graduated as valedictorian from Beloit High School in 1928, and earned her bachelor's degree from Beloit College in 1930 and her master's degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin in 1933; and

AJR84,1,11 Whereas, Velma Bell met Harry Lemuel Hamilton in North Carolina in 1931, they married in 1934, moved to Madison, Wisconsin, in 1942, and together raised three children; and

AJR84,2,2 Whereas, Velma Hamilton served her communities as an educator in numerous positions, first as an assistant professor at Bennett College in Gastonia, North Carolina, later as the first African American teacher at Madison Vocational School in Madison, Wisconsin, and as chair of the General Studies Department at Madison Area Technical College from 1970 to 1975; and

AJR84,2,7 Whereas, Velma Hamilton's dedication to education continued into retirement when she traveled throughout the Midwest as an evaluator of vocational and technical schools for the North Central Accrediting Association, and she and her husband, as members of Friends of International Students, also welcomed hundreds of University of Wisconsin students from around the world to Madison; and

AJR84,2,11 Whereas, Velma Hamilton served the Madison community as the first president of the Madison NAACP, as a member, committee member, and church moderator at First Congregational Church, as a member of the Wisconsin Committee on Aging, and as a member of the Governor's Commission on Human Rights; and

AJR84,2,17 Whereas, in recognition of her dedication to education and family, Velma Hamilton was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Lakeland College and an honorary Doctor of Humanities from Beloit College, was recognized as the 1974 Wisconsin Mother of the Year, and was honored when the Madison Metropolitan School District changed the name of Van Hise Middle School to Velma Hamilton Middle School in 1992; now, therefore, be it

AJR84,2,22 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend Velma Hamilton for her decades of public service to the community of Madison and the state of Wisconsin, for her dedication to teaching and education, and for her grace and spirit; express their deep sorrow at her death; and extend their sincere condolences to her family and friends; and

AJR84,3,2 Be it further resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to Velma Hamilton's son Dr. Harry Hamilton, Jr., of Sunriver, Oregon, and to her daughters, Patricia Hamilton of Peachtree City, Georgia, and Dr. Muriel Hamilton of San Jose, California.

AJR84,3,3 (End)