CHAPTER 738
STATE OF DELAWARE
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
DOVER
EXECUTIVE ORDER
NUMBER FORTY-SIX
TO: Heads of All State Departments and Agencies
RE: Period of Mourning for Vera Davis
WHEREAS, Vera Gilbride Davis, the first woman to hold more than a half-dozen political posts in "The First State" died yesterday morning at the age of 79; and
WHEREAS, Vera Davis was the first woman bill clerk in the House of Representatives, the first woman Secretary of the Senate, first and only woman ever elected President Pro Tem of the Senate, first woman elected Majority Leader of the House, and the first woman to win a statewide election as State Treasurer; and
WHEREAS, in addition, she was actively involved, outside politics, in many charitable organizations and devoted her time and energies to the betterment of her fellow Delawareans;
WHEREAS, due to her nearly 50 years of participation she became known as the Grand Dame of the Grand Old Party; and
WHEREAS, all Delawareans are poorer for her passing;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, SHERMAN W. TRIBBITT, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Delaware, in recognition of and as a tribute to this faithful public servant, do hereby order and declare a
PERIOD OF MOURNING FOR VERA GILBRIDE DAVIS
throughout the State of Delaware beginning today and continuing through sundown of the day of her interment; and I further order all State flags within the State of Delaware to be flown at half-staff during this period of mourning in memory of this outstanding Delaware citizen.
Approved this 7th day of May, 1974.
(GREAT SEAL)
SHERMAN W. TRIBBITT
Governor
Attest:
ROBERT H. REED
Secretary of State