HJ 144 — Celebrating the life of Forrest A. Parker, Sr.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 24105295D I HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO.

144 OfferedE February 7, 2024 N Celebrating the life of Forrest A.

TN Patrons––Cole,R Kent,Agreed Milde,Agreed Mundonto King,by Orrock,the Scott,Senate, P.A.February 15, 2024 2024 O WHEREAS, Forrest A.

andParker, Torian;Sr., of Fredericksburg, a champion for diversity in higher education L who touched countless lives through his visionary leadership, died on January 1, 2024;

Senators:and L where he began to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and excelled in both academics and E athletics;

Durant,and RWHEREAS, McDougle,after McPike,graduating Reevesfrom Warwick High School, Forrest Parker earned a bachelor's degree D from Ferrum College, where he was a member of several student organizations and Stuartwas ––––––––––elected Ostudent WHEREAS,body vice president, and a master's degree in counseling education from James Madison University (JMWHEREAS, Forrest A.Parker joined JMU in the 1980s and was the institution's first administrator dedicated to the recruitment of minority students;

Parker, Sr., of Fredericksburg, a champion for diversity in higher educaDion who touched countless lives through his visionary leadership, died on January 1, 2024;

and WHEREAS, Forrest Parker was born in Franklin and attended public schools in Newport News, U where he began to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and excelled in both academicC and athletics;

and from Ferrum College, where he was a member of several student organizations and was elected student body vice president, and a master's degree in counseling education from James Madison University (JMU);

and WHEREAS, Forrest Parker joined JMU in the 1980s and was the institution's first administrator dedicated to the recruitment of minority students;

and WHEREAS,H Forresttwo Parkersupport alsogroups enhancedfor studentBlack retentionstudents, andthe academicBrothers successof ata JMUNew byDirection creating(BOND) and supportWomen groupsof forColor;g Black4 students,and E WHEREAS, in 1989, Forrest Parker joined the BrothersUniversity of aMary NewWashington Direction(UMW), (BOND)then andknown WomenR ofas Color;Mary Washington College, as an associate dean for admissions;

WHEREAS, in 1989, Forrest Parker joined the University of Mary Washington (UMW), then known J as Mary Washington College, as an associate dean for admissions;

and WHEREAS, Forrest Parker also served as the founding director of what is now known as the James Farmer Multicultural Center, through which he coordinated culturally diverse commemorative events and established the Multicultural Fair at Mary Washington, a groundbreaking program that has become a beloved annual tradition in the community;

and onWHEREAS, hisForrest successParker bywas bringingpromoted theto BONDvice andpresident Womenfor ofmulticultural Coloraffairs groupsin to1993 UMW and developing similar and built support organizations for students of other backgrounds;

and 34 WHEREAS, after 20 years in academia, Forrest Parker pursued other career opportunities in real 35 estate, retail, and public speaking, and he volunteered his time and leadership to several civic and 36serWHEREAS, serviceForrest organizations;Parker served on the organizing board and later became the chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Club of the Rappahannock Region;

andduring 37his WHEREAS,tenure, Forrest Parker served on the organizingorganization board and later became the chief executive supported and empowered more than 4,600 young people in the region;

and tenure, the organization WHEREAS, Forrest Parker worked with the Tau Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and its Rappahannock Regional Uplift and Scholarship Foundation to creating a special mentoring program at the Boys & Girls Club of the Rappahannock Region, the Passport to Manhood Program, which earned at several prestigious awards for the Tau Rho Chapter;

now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby notetrailblazing withhigher greateducation sadnessadministrator at both James Madison University and the lossUniversity of ForrestMary A.Washington;

Parker,and, Sr.,be whoit inspiredRESOLVED countlessFURTHER, youngThat peoplethe asClerk aof trailblazingthe higherHouse educationof administratorDelegates atprepare botha Jamescopy Madisonof Universitythis andresolution for presentation to the Universityfamily of MaryForrest Washington;A.

and,Parker, beSr., itas RESOLVEDan FURTHER,expression That the Clerk of the HouseGeneral ofAssembly's Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution respect for his memory.

family of Forrest A.

Parker, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly's