HCR 210

R-257  Page 1 of 1
2026
No. R-257. House concurrent resolution honoring Ripton Selectboard Chair Laureen
Cox for her exemplary municipal public service.
                                        (H.C.R.210)
   Offered by Representative Conlon of Cornwall
   Offered by Senators Hardy and Heffernan
   Whereas, Laurie Cox traveled east from Seattle, Washington, to attend Middlebury
College and graduated in 1971, earned a master’s degree from the University of Vermont
in 1978, and for 34 years, was a dedicated guidance counselor at the Neshobe School in
Brandon, and
  Whereas, aside from guiding elementary school students on the best life path forward,
Laurie Cox developed a second passion as an active civic volunteer and leader in her
hometown of Ripton, and
   Whereas, her initial foray into community service was as a volunteer at the public
library, and
   Whereas, through this role, Laurie Cox familiarized herself with the local issues of
greatest concern to the voters in Ripton, and in 1986, when a one-year vacancy opened on
the Ripton Selectboard, she stood for election to serve on this municipal governance
panel, and
   Whereas, she probably never imagined that her inaugural electoral victory would be
the start of an extraordinary uninterrupted four-decade tenure as a member of the Ripton
Selectboard, including the first quarter century as part of a group of longtime residents
who served together, and
    Whereas, Laurie Cox’s effectiveness, thoughtful participation, and administrative
skills all contributed to her 2009 election as Ripton Selectboard chair, and the community
has appreciated her great efforts, and
   Whereas, when COVID-19 struck, Laurie Cox proved up to the task, taking a leading
role organizing assistance and connecting members of the community, and
   Whereas, in 2023, in the aftermath of a record rainfall that resulted in major
landslides, washouts, and other damage, her leadership was pivotal in the recovery
process, and
   Whereas, recently, as a member of the Friends of the Ripton Students group, Laurie
Cox has endeavored to save the local elementary school, and in 2026, she is concluding
her amazing 40-year Ripton Selectboard career, including the last 17 as its highly
respected chair, now therefore be it
   Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
   That the General Assembly honors Ripton Selectboard Chair Laureen Cox for her
exemplary municipal public service, and be it further
  Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
Laurie Cox and the Ripton town clerk.
                                                                            VT LEG #387714 v.1