HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRO-2022-012-Proclamation Recognizing the Honorable Verla Clemens Insko PP) o 0 ) ) cd 3c:531on I /
PROCLAMATION
RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE VERLA CLEMENS INSKO
WHEREAS Verla Clemens Insko began her career in public office in 1977 when she won election to the
Chapel Hill - Carrboro Board of Education , where she served until 1985 , and
WHEREAS in 1990, Verla Insko was elected to the Orange County Board of Commissioners and served one
four-year term ; and
E
WHEREAS Verla Insko continued her political career when , in 1996 , she won election to the House of
Representatives in the North Carolina General Assembly; and
WHEREAS Representative Verla Clemmons Insko duly took the oath of office in 1997, and has served the
people of Orange County for twelve ( 12 ) consecutive terms ( 1997-2022 ) with honor and
distinction ; and
WHEREAS due to redistricting during her tenure, Representative Insko has represented the people of District
24 and later District 56 ; and
is
WHEREAS as a member of the North Carolina General Assembly, Representative Insko assumed numerous
roles and responsibilities , including :
■ Chair of the House Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee, where she :
■ developed expertise in Medicaid and became a champion for people with mental
illness and developmental disabilities ;
■ increased funding for community based mental health inpatient beds and a program to
identify and treat early onset schizophrenia,
■ Primary sponsor of the bill that created North Carolina ' s high - risk pool , Inclusive Care, to
insure people with chronic, serious physical health problems ;
■ Primary sponsor of the bill that repealed the state ' s involuntary sterilization program ; and
■ Sponsor of the Confidence in Elections bill requiring paper trail ballots for every voter; and
WHEREAS Representative Insko has earned and received several meritorious awards including *
g *
■ " Legislator of the Year—Early Childhood Education Champion " by the North Carolina Early
Education Coalition , in 20189 and
■ Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Legislative Breakfast on Mental Health ; and
WHEREAS Representative Insko was named as one of "Ten Women to Change the World " by the National
Organization for Women—Chapel Hill and Durham Chapters, in 2020s and
WHEREAS on May 31 , 2022 , Representative Insko will retire from a stellar career in public service during
which time she has exhibited exemplary community service, leadership and accomplishment in
Orange County, in North Carolina, and throughout the United States , based on her belief " in an
activist government that provides for the common good and protects the vulnerable " ;
NOW BE IT PROCLAIMED that throughout Chapel Hill , Carrboro, Hillsborough , and Orange County,
June 1 , 2022 is " REPRESENTATIVE VERLA CLEMENS INSKO DAY . "
Signed this 23 ' `r day of May, 2022 .
Renee Price, Chair Pam Hemminger, Mayor Damon Seils, Mayor Jennifer Weaver, Mayor
Orange County BOCC Town of Chapel Hill Town of Carrboro Town of Hillsborough