Delaware General Assembly

CHAPTER 203

FORMERLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 208

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

WHEREAS, Hazel D. Plant continued the legacy begun by her husband, the Honorable Al O. Plant, Sr., by assuming his seat as a State Representative and his commitment to human rights and criminal justice issues; and

WHEREAS, she represented the 2nd Representative District and willingly assisted any resident in the state who needed a voice; and

WHEREAS, she served as a state legislator for more than ten years; and

WHEREAS, Hazel D. Plant placed her own distinct branding on her service to the community through her special interest in women’s issues; and

WHEREAS, Hazel D. Plant was a visionary on women’s issues and was the creator of the Organization of Minority Women in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, Hazel D. Plant had a special interest in empowering incarcerated women and, reflective of this commitment, she consistently provided opportunities for incarcerated women to participate in community-based Women Empowerment workshops; and

WHEREAS, Hazel D. Plant hosted numerous Women Empowerment sessions and made arrangements for females incarcerated at the Women’s Work Release Centers to participate; and

WHEREAS, Hazel D. Plant created a women’s quilting club at the Women’s Treatment Center designed to bring together incarcerated women with female senior citizens in friendship and motherly mentoring over quilting projects and lessons; and

WHEREAS, Representative Plant was chairperson of the State Labor Committee and served on a number of other committees including the House Corrections Committee; and

WHEREAS, she and her husband were the founders of the Eastlawn Area Human Service Agency that provides housing assistance and other services for ex-offenders and their families; and

WHEREAS, Representative Plant was the only state legislator who toured all Department of Corrections prison facilities annually, even when she had to be taken through ill and in a wheelchair; and

WHEREAS, Representative Plant introduced and fought for numerous legislative bills affecting the quality of life of those in prison and ex-offenders; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Hazel D. Plant died on November 24, 2010, at the age of 76 after a lengthy illness; and

WHEREAS, while hospitalized before her death, Representative Plant was still conducting legislative business and planning a special Women’s Conference, which she planned to hold at the Women’s Work Release Center; and

WHEREAS, the State wishes to honor and memorialize Representative Plant’s determination to positively affect the lives of women who are in need or in trouble.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. The Women’s Treatment Center shall be renamed the "Hazel D. Plant Women’s Treatment Facility".

Section 2. Appropriate signs shall be placed on the building to reflect the fact that it is the "Hazel D. Plant Women’s Treatment Facility."

Approved November 01, 2011