HR 960: Tarlano, Nancy Nell Spires; honor

House Resolution 960

By: Representatives Mathiak of the 82nd and Bonner of the 73rd

A RESOLUTION

Honoring Nancy Nell Spires Tarlano; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Nancy Nell Spires Tarlano was born on May 31, 1937, to her adoring and beloved parents, Harold and Gertrude Spires, as the second child after her cherished older sister, Sue, and before her beloved late brother, James (Jim); and

WHEREAS, as a young girl, Nancy experienced issues with her eyesight that required her to wear glasses as a baby, which helped shape her studious personal identity; and

WHEREAS, she graduated from Julianne Catholic High School in Dayton, Ohio, where she was recognized for her scholastic abilities, and went on to attend the University of Dayton, becoming the second female to graduate with a Bachelor of Science from the prestigious Chemistry Department and paving the way for countless other women in science; and

WHEREAS, while at the University of Dayton, she was selected by her mentor and professor, Dr. Carl Michaelis, to be one of two students conducting cutting-edge research to develop a technique to separate rare earth metals—a groundbreaking process that remains in use at the university and has been adopted by private industries and nations across the globe; and

WHEREAS, Nancy is credited as a co-author on the rare earth metal research white paper alongside Dr. Michaelis; and

WHEREAS, she met her husband, John P. Tarlano, at the University of Dayton, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in physics before attending Ohio State University, earning a Master of Science in physics and a Juris Doctor, and the happy couple continues to enjoy a high quality of life at age 87 in Fayetteville, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Nancy was one of the first working stay-at-home mothers in 1960 at the Chemical Abstracts Service, where she identified new chemical compounds, and she is an honored participant in the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) Nomenclature for Chemistry; and

WHEREAS, while raising her two daughters, Marilyn and Sharon, Nancy contributed to the systematic naming of chemical compounds, and she later welcomed her third daughter, Karen, after John completed law school, followed by the birth of their son, Anthony (Tony), after moving to Oakwood, Ohio; and

WHEREAS, Nancy and John are now the proud grandparents of six adored grandchildren: Patrick and Kelsey Mutchler, Hayes and Elizabeth Pope, and Mia and Dominic (Nico) Tarlano; and

WHEREAS, she later served as a chemistry and math teacher at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia, where she was highly regarded and regularly participated in sports activities before retiring from education; and

WHEREAS, Nancy is a proud member of the Fayette-Starr's Mill Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution under her patriot, Adam Brandt, who served under General George Washington in the crossing of the Delaware River and helped settle Lancaster, Ohio, with his wife and three other family couples, who traveled there in horse-drawn carriages; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkable individual be appropriately honored during this special time.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body honor Nancy Nell Spires Tarlano for her pioneering achievements in science and education, her unwavering dedication to her family, and her enduring legacy of excellence as well as extend their best wishes for continued health and happiness. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Nancy Nell Spires Tarlano.