2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25106575D

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 747

Offered February 17, 2025

Commending Gale Allen Harvey.

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Patron—Simonds

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WHEREAS, Gale Allen Harvey, an esteemed physicist and longtime member of the Hampton community, was presented an honorary doctor of science degree by the New Mexico State University Board of Regents at New Mexico State University's commencement ceremony on December 13, 2024; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Alamogordo High School in Alamogordo, New Mexico, Gale Harvey received a scholarship from the Department of Physics at New Mexico State University (NMSU), which prompted him to earn a bachelor's degree in physics from the school in 1962, followed by a master's degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University five years later; and

WHEREAS, for more than 40 years, Gale Harvey worked as a physicist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center in Hampton, where he conducted groundbreaking research in the areas of space science and atmospheric studies, with a particular focus on meteor spectroscopy, atmospheric sensing with high-energy lasers, environmental impacts of space on space vehicles, and shuttle orbiter thermal protection tile repair; and

WHEREAS, over his illustrious career, Gale Harvey contributed to more than 20 peer-reviewed publications, including NASA Technical Memorandum and distinguished journals such as The Astronomical Journal, The Astrophysical Journal, Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and Sky & Telescope; and

WHEREAS, Gale Harvey served as a representative of the NASA Langley Research Center on the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' International Working Group on Space Simulation, supporting international efforts to advance space research and simulation; and

WHEREAS, Gale Harvey began an ongoing collaboration with the NMSU Department of Physics in the 1970s when he directed the NASA-NMSU automated meteor observatory, which he used to study meteor trajectories, orbits, and velocities for his research; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, Gale Harvey established the Gale A. Harvey Endowed Scholarship at NMSU to aid students with financial need who were interested in studying physics; to date, more than 175 students have received the scholarship and more than $440,000 has been awarded, while many recipients of the scholarship have gone on to enjoy accomplished careers in physics and aerospace engineering; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his longstanding support of the university and its students, NMSU named room 229 in Gardiner Hall, the home of its physics and engineering physics programs, in Gale Harvey's honor in 2018; and

WHEREAS, beyond his work as a physicist, Gale Harvey is also a noted beekeeper who is a member of the Beekeepers Guild of Southeast Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Gale Allen Harvey hereby be commended for receiving an honorary doctor of science degree from New Mexico State University in 2024; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Gale Allen Harvey as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his contributions to science and the New Mexico State University community.