HJ 751 — Celebrating the life of the Reverend George A. Pera.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 23106227D I HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO.

751 OfferedE February 17, 2023 N Celebrating the life of the Reverend George A.

TN Patrons––Bennett-Parker;Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 20, 2023 R Agreed to by the Senate, February 22, 2023 O WHEREAS, the Reverend George A.

Senator:Pera, an esteemed faith leader and former pastor at L community, died on January 17, 2023;

Ebbinandndria Rand ––––––––––an active and beloved member of the Alexandria L WHEREAS, after graduating from the Reverendformer Peabody High School in Pittsburgh, George A.Pera E earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh before matriculating at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he was notably the first degree candidate to ever serve as a teaching D felWHEREAS, dedicated to honing his abilities as a chaplain and pastor, George Pera trained in clinical pastoral counseling at Bellevue Hospital in New York City;

Pera, an esteemed faith leader and former pastor at O Westminster Presbyterian Church in Alexandria and an active and beloved member of the AlexandriD community, died on January 17, 2023;

and WHEREAS, after graduating from the former Peabody High School in Pittsburgh, George Pera U earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh before matriculating at Princeton C Theological Seminary, where he was notably the first degree candidate to ever serve as a teaching felWHEREAS, dedicated to honing his abilities as a chaplain and pastor, George Pera trained in clinical pastoral counseling at Bellevue Hospital in New York City;

and University before taking a position as associate pastor at Central Presbyterian Church in New York City;H and 7 WHEREAS, George Pera begantransferred histo careerFirst asPresbyterian Church in Greenwich in 1964 and a chaplainyear at1 Thelater Ohiobecame Stateits Universitysenior pastor and Newhead Yorkof Universitystaff, beforedrawing taking a positionfollowing over the years through his R insWHEREAS, George Pera next served as associatethe senior pastor atof Centralthe PresbyterianAmerican International Church in NewLondon Yorkfrom City;1977 to 1980, during which time he enjoyed the unique distinction of leading the first American Thanksgiving Day services ever held in Westminster Abbey, St.

andPaul's WHEREAS,Cathedral, George Pera transferred to First Presbyterian Church in Greenwich in 1964 and aWestminster yearCathedral; insightful sermons and his active engagement in civic and community affairs;

andearsand throughin his1980, WHEREAS,providing George Pera next served as the seniorcongregation pastorwith ofsage thecounsel Americanand Internationalample Churchopportunities infor Londoncommunity fromoutreach 1977until tohis 1980,retirement duringin which1995, timethereafter hereceiving enjoyed the uniquetitle distinctionpastor-emeritus offrom leading the firstchurch; American Thanksgiving Day services ever held in Westminster Abbey, St.

Paul'sand Cathedral,WHEREAS, George Pera would continue to preach in his retirement, including as guest preacher at the American Church in Paris and 1as Westminsteran Cathedral;interim pastor at Calvary Presbyterian Church of Alexandria, including Senior Services of Alexandria, Elder Crafters of Alexandria, Agenda:

andAlexandria, WHEREAS,Inovats, George Pera became the senior pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Alexandria inHospital 1980,Foundation, providingALIVE!, the congregation with sage counsel and ampleThe opportunitiesCall forto communityCommunity; outreach until his retirement in 1995, thereafter receiving the title pastor-emeritus from the church;

and theWHEREAS, American Church in Parisrecognition andof ashis anaccomplishments interimin pastorservice atto Calvarythe Presbyteriancommunity Church of Alexandria, whileGeorge alsoPera devotingwas considerablenamed timea andLiving leadershipLegend toof localAlexandria servicein organizations2009 and nonprofits,was includingpresented Seniorwith Servicesthe ofAnnie Alexandria,B. Elder Crafters of Alexandria, Agenda:

Alexandria,Rose InovaLifetime AlexandriaAchievement HospitalAward Foundation,from ALIVE!,the andAlexandria TheCommission Callon toAging Community;in 2003;

andhe 35was WHEREAS,also in recognition of his accomplishments in service to the communityhonorary ofdoctor Alexandria, 36 George Pera was named a Living Legend of Alexandrialiterature indegree; 2009 and was presented with the Annie B.

37andty Rosedegree, Lifetimean Achievementhonorary Awarddoctor fromof thehumane Alexandrialetters Commissiondegree, onand Agingan WHEREAS, preceded in 2003;death by his wife of 58 years, Nancy, George Pera will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his children, Tracey and David, and their families and by numerous other family members and friends;

henow, wastherefore, alsobe theit 38note recipientwith ofgreat ansadness honorarythe doctorloss of divinitythe degree,Reverend an honorary doctor of humane letters degree, and an honWHEREAS, preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Nancy, George PeraA. will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his children, Tracey and David, and their families and by 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 the Reverend George A.