SJ 35 — Celebrating the life of Debra Jane Griggs.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 24104211D I SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO.

35 OfferedE January 16, 2024 N Celebrating the life of Debra Jane Griggs.

TN Patron––Stanley R ––––––––––Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 22, 2024 O WHEREAS, Debra Jane Griggs of Norfolk, a passionate advocate for animal welfare who enhancedOenhanced L the lives of thousands of animals across the Commonwealth, died on November 2, 2023;

and DL WHEREAS, Debra Griggs grew up in Peterstown, West Virginia, and began cultivating her talents as a vocalist at a young age;

she performed with various musical groups and studied vocal performance at E Converse College, Radford University, Memphis State University, and the Vienna International MuCicMusic Center, where she focused on opera;

and D WHEREAS, Debra Griggs pursued a career as an opera singer and performed in numerous productions, including "Madama Butterfly" and "La Tosca";

in 1982, she settled in Norfolk and began workingworWHEREAS, inshortly realafter estatemoving salesto forNorfolk, Debra Griggs and her husband, Steve, adopted a dog named Jasper from the Norfolk SPCA, which sherekindled earnedher severallove awardsof animals and accolades;ultimately opened a new chapter in her life;

and D WHEREAS, shortly after moving to Norfolk, Debra Griggs and her husband, Steve, adopted a dog named Jasper from the Norfolk SPCA, which rekindled her love of animals and ultimately opened a new chapter in her life;

she couldJ oftencouWHEREAS, beDebra seenGriggs dressedwas toa theforce ninesto asbe shereckoned climbedwith fencesin toa savekind neglectedand orthoughtful abusedway; animals;

andshe WHEREAS,animals; Debra Griggs was a force to be reckoned with in a kind and thoughtful way;

sheand 5 worked with like-minded community members to establish Animal Rescue of Tidewater and served as R its longtime president;

andmunity members to establish Animal Rescue of Tidewater and served as WHEREAS, under the leadership of Debra Griggs, Animal Rescue of Tidewater changed its name t3to Animal Resources of Tidewater and refocused its mission on providing financial resources to people whoowners neededto helpkeep payingtheir forpets medicalhealthy careand forensure they remained with their pets;families;

theanduntless organizationanimal enabledWHEREAS, countlessDebra animalGriggs ownerssubsequently embarked on a mission to keepenhance theirthe petsconditions, healthyoperational practices, and ensuresave theyrates remainedin withthe theirCommonwealth's families;public and private animal shelters;

and WHEREAS, Debra Griggs subsequently embarked on a mission to enhance the conditions, operational practices, and save rates in the Commonwealth's public and private animal shelters;

and :WHEREAS, Debra Griggs served for many years as president of the Virginia Federation of Humane accomplishments;

35and WHEREAS, Debra Griggs served for many years as president of the Virginia Federation of Humane 36 Societies, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the organization for her legacy of 37WHEREAS, accomplishments;Debra was a consummate professional in everything she did;

she commanded respect while always listening to and 38considering WHEREAS,all Debrasides wasof an issue before seeking a consummatefair professionaland inreasonable everythingresolution sheto did;a conflict;

sheand commandedtalent respectfor resolutionmaking toeveryone afeel conflict;heard and valued;

andandght consideringfor alljustice sidesfor of an issueunderdog, beforeand seekingshe had a fair and reasonable WHEREAS, Debra Griggs relishedwas opportunitiesalways tomore fightinterested forin justicerecognizing and applauding the work of others than receiving praise for anher underdog,own efforts, and she hadinspired aothers talentthrough forher makinggenuine everyonecompassion feelfor heardall andliving valued;things;

and WHEREAS, Debra Griggs wasenjoyed alwaysfellowship more interested in recognizing and applaudingworship with the workcongregation of othersAscension thanwarden receivingon praisethe forvestry; her own efforts, and she inspired others through her genuine compassion for all living things;

andandhe WHEREAS, Debra Griggs enjoyed fellowship and worship with the congregation of Ascension Episcopal Church, where she volunteered with the altar guild, sang in the choir, and served as a senior warWHEREAS,WHEREAS, Debra Griggs was a beloved, admired, and respected friend and mentor who will be remembered as an exceptional leader in the animal welfare community, whose life ended much too soon;

and WHEREAS,will Debrabe Griggsfondly wasremembered aand loving,greatly thoughtful,missed andby dependableher friendhusband andof family43 member;years, Steve;

she will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her husband of 43 years, Steve;

now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Debra Jane Griggs, a champion for animal welfare who touched couRESOLVEDcountless FURTHER,lives Thatthroughout the ClerkCommonwealth; of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for SJ35 2 of 2 presentation to the family of Debra Jane Griggs as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.

and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for of 2 presentation to the family of Debra Jane Griggs as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.