2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26104551D

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 235

Offered March 3, 2026

Commending Kathy Glazer.

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Patrons—Willett, Carr, Bulova, Cherry, Cole, N.T., Cousins, Gardner, Hope, Keys-Gamarra, McClure, McLaughlin, McPike, Rasoul, Schmidt, Sewell, Ward and Ware

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WHEREAS, Kathy Glazer, an esteemed education advocate and leader, is retiring from the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation after serving 14 years as its president; and

WHEREAS, in preparation for her career, Kathy Glazer earned a bachelor's degree in graphic design and communications from the University of Georgia and a master's degree in public administration from Virginia Commonwealth University; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Glazer served as executive director of Governor Tim Kaine's Working Group on Early Childhood Initiatives and then as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development, spearheading endeavors such as the Smart Beginnings network and the establishment of the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF); and

WHEREAS, from 2009 to 2012, Kathy Glazer helped to shape early childhood policy as director of state services with the national BUILD Initiative, which aspires to make comprehensive, high-quality, equitable early childhood education programs available to all families; and

WHEREAS, since joining VECF in 2012, Kathy Glazer has been instrumental to various policy achievements and investments from public and private entities that have helped to enhance the Commonwealth's early childhood care and education system, promoting school readiness for Virginia's young children; and

WHEREAS, under Kathy Glazer's leadership, the VECF has experienced steady growth from the small grant-making organization she conceived in 2005 alongside Virginia business and government leaders into a powerful intermediary organization at the nexus of public-private partnerships, state-regional infrastructure and innovation, and strategic policy and advocacy for the Commonwealth's early childhood care and education system; and

WHEREAS, over Kathy Glazer's term, the VECF has built a high-capacity, dedicated staff team and robust internal operations, with fiscal stability and the capability to administer multi-million-dollar publicly funded initiatives and sustain public-private partnerships that drive an entrepreneurial aptitude for incubating innovation in the early childhood space; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Glazer has made an impact nationally through her collaboration with a number of colleagues and organizations to develop policy guides that have shaped the country's discourse around early childhood education; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Glazer's unwavering commitment to the success and well-being of young children and families in Virginia has made a profound and lasting impact on countless lives, earning her the praise and admiration of all Virginians; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Kathy Glazer hereby be commended for her legacy of service on the occasion of her retirement from the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Kathy Glazer as an expression of the House of Delegates' high regard for her contributions to the Commonwealth and best wishes in her future endeavors.