R-58 Page 1 of 1
2023
No. R-58. House concurrent resolution honoring Laura and Lewis Sumner of Halifax for their exemplary municipal public service.
(H.C.R.42)
Offered by: Representative Roberts of Halifax Whereas, Laura Sumner was raised in Vernon, and her husband, Lewis, in Halifax,
where they have resided since their marriage in 1965, and Whereas, Lewis Sumner continued his family’s farming tradition, maintaining a dairy herd until 1988, and, subsequently, he was employed for many years as the custodian at
Halifax Elementary School, and Whereas, both Laura and Lewis Sumner were active in the former Guiding Star Grange,
and they were also long associated with the West Halifax Bible Church, and Whereas, each member of this this five-decade-plus partnership has served the Town of
Halifax with dedication and distinction, and Whereas, from 1967 until 2010, Laura Sumner was the dependable and knowledgeable Halifax Town Clerk, overseeing the daily operations of municipal government, ensuring democracy’s vitality as the coordinator of elections’ administration, safeguarding the town’s municipal records, and transitioning the town into the digital era, and Whereas, for 58 years, Lewis Sumner responded to the call to duty when the alarm sounded at the Halifax Fire Company Inc., and Whereas, beginning in 1963, Lewis Sumner has stood successfully for election to the Halifax Selectboard, and, except for a brief hiatus from 2002 to 2005, has served continuously for 60 years, and during many of these years, has presided over the panel as
chair, a position he currently holds, and Whereas, on Town Meeting Day 2023, Lewis Sumner will conclude his remarkable six decades of Selectboard membership, highlights of which include eight weather events involving FEMA, and especially the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene, and this is a propitious occasion to recognize the couple who truly merit the title Mr. and Mrs. Halifax,
now therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
That the General Assembly honors Laura and Lewis Sumner of Halifax for their exemplary municipal public service, and be if further Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
Laura and Lewis Sumner and to the Halifax Town Clerk.
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