SR 89 — Commending Dr. Donald James Finley.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 23103660D I SENATE RESOLUTION NO.

89 OfferedE January 11, 2023 N Prefiled January 10, 2023 T Commending Dr.

––––––––––N RAgreed Patron––Lucasto ––––––––––by the Senate, January 12, 2023 R O WHEREAS, Dr.

Donald James Finley served with uncommon dedication and distinction as presidenDpresident of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council for a quarter century from shortly after the organization'sL foundingorgWHEREAS, untilDonald his"Don" retirementFinley's intenure 2022;as president of the Virginia Business Higher Education L Council was the culmination of a remarkable career defined by outstanding service to the E Commonwealth and the field of higher education;

and U WHEREAS, Donald "Don" Finley's tenure as president of the Virginia Business Higher EducationC Council was the culmination of a remarkable career defined by outstanding service to the ComWHEREAS, Don Finley served with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, served as a staffD member and staff director of the House Appropriations Committee, served in Governor Charles Robb's administration as deputy secretary of finance and then as secretary of education, and served as secretary of education during all four years of Governor Gerald Baliles's administration;

and WHEREAS, Don Finley's work as president of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council was exceedingly fruitful and contributed to major advances for higher education in the Commonwealth, such as significant increases in state support of higher education operations, faculty compensation, and studentstudSnt finWHEREAS,financial Donaid, Finley's service also contributed significantly toward historic capital investments on campuses and landmark legislative measures to enable institutional advances, improve performance, enhance educational and employment opportunities for Virginians, and increase the positive impact on Virginia's economy, including the Restructuredunprecedented Higher$1 Educationbillion Financialinvestment andin Administrative Operations Act of 2005, the Topcurrent Jobsbiennium; Act, the New Economy Workforce Credential Grant Fund and Program, the Tech Talent Investment Fund and Program, the Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back Fund and Program, the Innovative Internship Fund and Program, and numerous other instructional and research initiatives;

and R WHEREAS, Don Finley's service also contributed significantly toward historic capital investments on E campuses and landmark legislative measures to enable institutional advances, improve performance, R Virginia's economy, including the Restructured Higher Education Financial and Administrativempact on Operations Act of 2005, the Top Jobs Act, the New Economy Workforce Credential Grant Fund and Program, the Tech Talent Investment Fund and Program, the Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back Fund and Program, the Innovative Internship Fund and Program, and numerous other instructional and resWHEREAS, during Don Finley's tenure, the Virginia Business Higher Education Council became the preeminent state-level public-private partnership advocating for higher education in the nation, forging meaningful partnerships among business leaders, college presidents, governors, legislators, and other officials in both political parties, and demonstrating that a diverse coalition based on trust and mutual respectresWHEREAS, canthe stillinnovative workadvocacy togetherprograms productivelyimplemented under Don Finley's leadership, including the successive Grow By Degrees and Growth4VA campaigns, significantly increased public and political support for higher education in Virginia by communicating that the commonCommonwealth's good;top-ranked system of colleges, universities, and community colleges provides a competitive advantage in economic development, an exceptionally well-qualified workforce, and a strong catalyst for economic growth and jobWHEREAS, through Don Finley's determined advocacy, generations of young Virginians will enjoy significantly enhanced job and career opportunities and make greater contributions to the larger community because of the profound ways their lives have been enriched by Virginia's higher education system;

and :integrity, sound judgment, extensive knowledge and experience, affable manner, keen wit, generous spirit, and insistence upon giving credit to others rather than drawing attention to himself, have inspired and elevated all who have had the privilege of working with him;

35now, WHEREAS,therefore, thebe innovativeit advocacyRESOLVED programs implemented under Don Finley's leadership, including 36 the successive Grow By Degrees and Growth4VA campaigns, significantly increased public and political 37 support for higher education in Virginia by communicating that the Commonwealth'sSenate top-ranked system 38 of colleges,Virginia, universities,That andDr. community colleges provides a competitive advantage in economic job creation;

andxceptionallyDonald well-qualifiedJames workforce,Finley andhereby abe strongcommended catalyst for economichis growthexeRESOLVED andFURTHER, WHEREAS,That through Don Finley's determined advocacy, generations of young Virginians will enjoy significantly enhanced job and career opportunities and make greater contributions to the largerClerk community because of the profoundSenate waysprepare theira livescopy haveof beenthis enrichedresolution byfor Virginia'spresentation higherto educationDr. system;

and WHEREAS, Don Finley's outstanding personal qualities, including his impeccable character and integrity, sound judgment, extensive knowledge and experience, affable manner, keen wit, generous spirit, and insistence upon giving credit to others rather than drawing attention to himself, have inspired andRESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Dr.

Donald James Finley hereby be commended for his exemplary service to the Virginia Business Higher Education Council;

and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr.