A HOUSE RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF MONA CORNWELL, FORMER EMPLOYEE OF ASHEVILLE-BUNCOMBE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
Whereas, Mona Cornwell was born in Morganton, North Carolina, and graduated from A.C. Reynolds High School and the University of North Carolina at Asheville; and
Whereas, Mona Cornwell devoted 18 years to Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College beginning in 1994, as a Desktop Publishing Specialist and later as the Director of Community Relations and Marketing; and
Whereas, Mona Cornwell was tireless in her efforts to ensure the passage of a sales tax referendum in 2011 to provide new and renovated buildings for Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College to ensure students will be able to train for 21st century jobs in 21st century facilities, and thereby improving the economic outlook for the community; and
Whereas, Mona Cornwell helped lead the local campaign for the 2000 Higher Education Bond Referendum that brought $14 million to Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College; and
Whereas, Mona Cornwell was a good steward of taxpayer resources by developing low‑cost or no‑cost ways of publishing college events and by creating a communication and marketing plan for Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College's 50th anniversary by leveraging the college's existing resources; and
Whereas, in response to tragedies involving law enforcement and people with mental illness, Mona Cornwell researched Crisis Intervention Team training, and by working with the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College leadership, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Department, the Asheville Police Department, and the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and others, was able to help create and implement a Crisis Intervention Team program for local law enforcement officers, school resource officers, emergency medical technicians, and others; and
Whereas, Mona Cornwell was always willing to come early and stay late, willingly took on new assignments, and consistently treated everyone with respect and dignity; and
Whereas, Mona Cornwell received numerous honors and awards, including receiving the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Staff Member of the Year and Meritorious Service awards in 2012, as well as the BB&T Staff Member of the Year Award for the North Carolina Community College System from the State Board of Community Colleges in 2012; and
Whereas, Mona Cornwell died April 2, 2013; and
Whereas, Mona Cornwell is survived by her husband, David Cornwell, two sons, Neal and Graham Cornwell, and her mother, Jo Ellen Lipe; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives honors the life and memory of Mona Cornwell and expresses its gratitude for her service to Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, her community, and the State of North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  The House of Representatives extends its sympathy to the family of Mona Cornwell for the loss of their family member.
SECTION 3.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Mona Cornwell.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.