SENATE RESOLUTION 8

(By Senators Sypolt, Smith, Plymale, Blair and Jeffries)

[Introduced February 8, 2017]

Recognizing the contributions and dedicated public service of Gary K. Wilson to Mineral County and the state of West Virginia.

Whereas, Gary K. Wilson (1941-2013) was born in Piedmont, West Virginia, was a 1959 graduate of Keyser High School, a 1961 graduate of Potomac State College, a 1971 graduate of West Virginia University and a 1981 graduate of Frostburg State University; and

Whereas, Gary K. Wilson served his country with honor in the United States Navy and was a quartermaster during the Cuban Missile Crisis; and

Whereas, Following his military service, Gary K. Wilson was employed by PPG as a plant environmental control engineer for 13 years; and

Whereas, In 1975, Gary K. Wilson was named the vice president for finance and administration at the Burlington United Methodist Children’s Home (now Burlington United Methodist Family Services, BUMFS), where he remained for the next 30 years before retiring as president and chief executive officer; and

Whereas, Under the leadership of Gary K. Wilson, BUMFS grew into a statewide organization that was not only nationally accredited, but widely recognized as a leading child welfare organization in West Virginia; and

Whereas, For his efforts, Gary K. Wilson received the 1999 Administrator of the Year national award from the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries. He was named an Outstanding Mountaineer by then Governor Joe Manchin in 2005 and by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin in 2013; and

Whereas, Gary K. Wilson was active in the community, serving as president for both the Alliance for Children and the West Virginia Child Care Association; was a member of the Mineral County Building Commission; and United Methodist Association for Health and Welfare Ministries.  He also served as chair for the Field Consultation Planning Committee and for the Mineral County Allocations Committee.  He was an active Rotarian; a member of the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce; an instrumental member of the U. S. Wind Force Foundation; and served on the CYF Section, the EAGLE Program Accreditation Committee and Peer Review Team; and

Whereas, It is fitting to recognize Gary K. Wilson on Mineral County Day at the Capitol for his everlasting contributions to Mineral County; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes the contributions and dedicated public service of Gary K. Wilson to Mineral County and the state of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the appropriate representatives of Mineral County.