A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of ilene b. Nelson, advocate for abused and neglected children.
Whereas, Ilene B. Nelson grew up in Caldwell, Idaho; and
Whereas, Ilene B. Nelson earned a BS degree in education and psychology from the University of Colorado, an MA degree in social work from the University of Chicago, and a JD degree from the University of California' s Hasting's College of Law; and
Whereas, prior to moving to North Carolina in 1982, Ilene B. Nelson worked as an assistant professor of law and social work at the University of Hawaii for two years; and
Whereas, Ilene B. Nelson was an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a professor of law at the North Carolina Central University, and was a partner in the law firm, Edelstein, Paine and Nelson; and
Whereas, Ilene B. Nelson joined the North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program as an Attorney Advocate in Wake County in 1985; and
Whereas, Ilene B. Nelson became the Administrator of the Guardian ad Litem Program in 1990, a position she held for 11 years; and
Whereas, Ilene B. Nelson was a passionate advocate for abused and neglected children and fought tirelessly to protect their interests in the judicial system; and
Whereas, Ilene B. Nelson also provided training on children's issues to social workers, judges, law students, and others across the State and nation; and
Whereas, Ilene B. Nelson played a significant role in persuading the General Assembly to establish the Child Fatality Task Force; and
Whereas, Ilene B. Nelson served as the first chair of the Child Fatality Task Force and urged the passage of legislation affecting children, such as requiring landlords to install and maintain smoke detectors and requiring graduated drivers licenses; and
Whereas, Ilene B. Nelson worked on the Permanent Families Task Force which was created to train judges and develop strategies to secure a safe and permanent home for every child in foster care; and
Whereas, Ilene B. Nelson fought vigorously on changing the Juvenile Code to improve the way the State court system responds to the plight of abused and neglected children; and
Whereas, Ilene B. Nelson received numerous honors and awards including the Norman B. Smith Award in 2001, the Order of the Longleaf Pine in 2000, and the W.W. Finlator Award in 1999; and
Whereas, Ilene B. Nelson died on September 16, 2001; and
Whereas, Ilene B. Nelson was a loving mother to her children, Alicia Nelson and Aaron Nelson and a devoted daughter to her parents, Joe Berenter and Harriet Berenter; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Ilene B. Nelson and expresses its appreciation for the service she rendered to protect the children of the State of North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly expresses its sincere sympathy to the family of Ilene B. Nelson for the loss of a beloved family member.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Ilene B. Nelson.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 27th day of June, 2002.

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		 Beverly E. Perdue
	 President of the Senate

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		 James B. Black
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives