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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-191 ~y ~', MÑ\ ~(\tb Wì1ß ~~ ~ RESOLUTION NO. 05-191 A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING GERTRUDE WALKER FOR HER TWENTY -FIVE (25) YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE AS SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS FOR ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND FOR HER CURRENT PRESTIGIOUS POSITION AS PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CLERKS, RECORDERS, ELECTION OFFICIALS, AND TREASURERS (IACREOT) WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made the following determinations: 1. Gertrude Walker has been a resident of St. Lucie County for forty-three (43) years. Her husband Charles Walker is a State Hall of Fame Wildlife Artist and they are the proud parents of four (4) children: Charles A. Jr., Charlene, Aldon, and Melanie; with two (2) grandsons Myan and Nyle, and one (1) granddaughter, Nyla Gertrude. 2. In 1962 Gertrude's family moved from Hollywood to Fort Pierce where her grandparents lived. In 1968 Gertrude was hired by Glenn S. Huff, Sr. in the County Election's Office where she served twelve (12) years advancing to Chief Deputy Clerk Supervisor. Due to the unexpected death of James P. Brooks, just before the November, 1980 General Election, Governor Bob Graham on October 27, 1980, appointed Gertrude the Supervisor of Elections to fill Mr. Brook's unexpired term which was to end in January, 1981. Because Mr. Brooks did not have any opposition for the General Election, the Democratic Executive Committee named Gertrude as their nominee to replace Mr. Brooks. She was unopposed for her first four (4) year term. Gertrude used the first four (4) years in office to establish a reputation for fair, efficient, and courteous service to the public. She was reelected in 1984,1988, and 1992, facing strong opposition each time. In 1996, 2000, and 2004, she was unopposed and is now serving her 7th term. 3. Gertrude made history with her appointment and subsequent elections as the first African American in Florida's 67 counties to head an elected county constitutional office. Over the past twenty-five (25) years, her leadership has improved the voting process in St. Lucie County from lever voting machines to the latest electronic technology; and St. Lucie County is always the first in the state to report final election results. 4. In the aftermath of the 2000 Elections, Gertrude Walker was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the Governor's Select Task Force on Election Procedures, Standards and Technology. She was appointed to the Federal Elections Commission Advisory Panel in 2001. Gertrude is a Certified Public Administrator from the University of Missouri at St. Louis. 5. IACREOT was founded in 1971 by a group of government officials who wanted a professional organization that would provide a forum for the free exchange of information, resulting in improved standards for serving the public. Although the founders belonged to other governmental organizations, they felt these groups were unresponsive to their desires to establish an organization which would speak with a unified voice on matters of importance to them. Gertrude has been elected to many positions in IACREOT, including State Director, Parliamentarian, Secretary, 2nd Vice President, ¡st Vice President, and now President. 6. Today, IACREOT is one of the most successful, well-respected organizations in the United States, with over 1,800 members, representing State, Provincial, Local National, and International Associations and Agencies. 7. Gertrude has been a member of the Florida State Association of Supervisor of Elections (FSASE) for twenty-five (25) years and has served the organization in many capacities, which includes serving on the Board of Directors for six (6) terms. She has served on the Board of Directors of a number of organizations locally and throughout the state. 8. Gertrude considers serving the people of St. Lucie County an honor and a privilege. She is proud of the high esteem of which the public holds her office. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida: 1. This Board does hereby recognize Mrs. Gertrude Walker for her twenty-five (25) years of outstanding service as Supervisor of Elections for St. Lucie County, Florida, and for her prestigious position as President of the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers (IACREOT). 2. A copy of this resolution shall be presented to Mrs. Gertrude Walker as a token of this Board's appreciation for her dedication and loyalty to the citizens of St. Lucie County, Florida. PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 14th day of June, 2005. ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST_.. LUC7E C. ... NTY, FLORI~~ c,OU. ry , / ~ ,. "0('; /\ ../ . / ~,1 . -y---- APPROVED S TO LEGAL FORM AND CORRECTNÉS : /~ 0/~~'{~'? f 1" I (í) /(f It ¿ i / / \.j, COUNTY ATTOR I I I 1/ l. "