Bill Text: VA HJR1028 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of the Honorable Thomas Graham Baker, Jr.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-23 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ1028ER) [HJR1028 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2017-HJR1028-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Honorable Thomas Graham Baker, Jr., who served the Dublin community as town attorney and represented the residents of Southwest Virginia in the Virginia House of Delegates for 10 years, died on April 15, 2016; and
WHEREAS, born in Radford and raised in Draper, the Honorable Thomas "Tommy" Graham Baker, Jr., earned a bachelor's degree from Radford College and law degree from Washington and Lee University; and
WHEREAS, Tommy Baker served as the town attorney of Dublin for almost 20 years, then ran for and was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates; he ably represented the residents of Pulaski County, part of Giles County, and the City of Radford in the 7th District from 1990 to 1999; and
WHEREAS, as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, Tommy Baker introduced and supported many important pieces of legislation to benefit all Virginians and worked to build consensus on significant issues; he offered his expertise to several committees and commissions and finished his career as chair of the House Committee for Courts of Justice; and
WHEREAS, Tommy Baker was deeply dedicated to serving the best interests of the people of Southwest Virginia, and he supported many regional projects and helped create Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facility Authority, which established the New River Valley Commerce Park in Dublin; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his public service, Tommy Baker practiced law with a private firm for many years and inspired students as an educator with the paralegal program at New River Community College; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Tommy Baker served the Southwest Virginia community and the entire Commonwealth with the utmost dedication and distinction; and
WHEREAS, Tommy Baker enjoyed fellowship and worship with the congregation of Draper United Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, Tommy Baker will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his parents, Betty and Thomas; his son, Jefferson; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Honorable Thomas Graham Baker, Jr., a public servant in Southwest Virginia; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Honorable Thomas Graham Baker, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
