SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 7
(Originating in the Committee on Labor)
Commemorating the life of Reverend D.L. "Lee" Beard,
minister, labor leader, columnist and dedicated West
Virginian.
Whereas, Reverend D.L. "Lee" Beard was born in
Bridgewater, Virginia, and was raised in Franklin, Pendleton
County, the son of a Presbyterian minister; and
Whereas, Reverend Lee Beard, a graduate of Davis and
Elkins College, served his nation with pride and distinction
in the United States Navy during the Korean War; and
Whereas, Reverend Lee Beard was a devoted and
compassionate leader in the West Virginia Labor Federation,
AFL-CIO, where he worked constantly for the preservation of
human rights in the work place; and
Whereas, As an ordained Presbyterian minister serving in
churches at Winfield and Eleanor, Putnam County, West
Virginia, Reverend Beard continued his compassionate
dedication to his fellow man by tenderly caring for the needs
of his congregations; and
Whereas, Reverend Lee Beard served as a contributing
columnist for the Charleston Gazette, a position which allowed
him to continue his messages concerning human dilemmas and
humanitarian issues. His final column, "Do not fear death; it
takes us to a new life with God", was unquestionably his most
moving. Ironically, it appeared in the same newspaper that
also bore his obituary; and
Whereas, Reverend Lee Beard was married to his beloved
wife Barbara, with whom he shared the joy of having three
children, son, D. Lee Beard of Statesboro, Georgia, and
daughters, Lisa Galperin of Charleston and Linda K. Smith of
Akron, Ohio; and
Whereas, Sadly, the life of Reverend D.L. "Lee" Beard
came to an end on January 25, 1995, leaving behind an
incessant life of compassion for his fellow man as a minister
and labor leader; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby commemorates the life of Reverend
D. L. "Lee" Beard, a dedicated and distinguished man who
contributed much to the causes of fairness and
humanitarianism; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Senate expresses its sincere
sadness at the passing of this gentle man who dealt with the harsh realities of life with an unusual common sense and
dedication to fairness; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to
forward a copy of this resolution to the members of the family
of Reverend D.L. "Lee" Beard.