Bill Text: VA HJR117 | 2022 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Richard D. Holcomb.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 34-7)
Status: (Passed) 2022-01-27 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ117ER) [HJR117 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-HJR117-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Richard D. Holcomb, a dedicated and forward-thinking civil servant, retired as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles after a total of 19 years of distinguished service to the residents of the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Richard "Rick" D. Holcomb was first appointed as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by Governor George Allen in 1994 and was reappointed by Governor James S. Gilmore in 1998; and
WHEREAS, during Rick Holcomb's original seven-year tenure as Commissioner, Virginia DMV became the first such department in the nation to add waiting areas with seats for customers and allow certain transactions to be completed online; he further enhanced customer service by increasing operating hours and opening several new locations; and
WHEREAS, Rick Holcomb subsequently served as the senior vice president and general counsel for a national association for the trucking industry until he was again appointed as DMV Commissioner by Governor Robert F. McDonnell in 2010, then reappointed by Governor Terence R. McAuliffe in 2014 and Governor Ralph S. Northam in 2018; and
WHEREAS, in his second stint as DMV Commissioner, Rick Holcomb continued to focus on customer service and technology by adding over 50 transactions to DMV's online portal, allowing students to take driving tests remotely, and creating the mobile DMV Connect program to travel to underserved areas; and
WHEREAS, under Rick Holcomb's leadership, DMV began offering convenient access to other government services, including voter registration, hunting and fishing licenses, and requests for birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage and divorce records; and
WHEREAS, Rick Holcomb advocated for the elimination of policies related to the suspension of driver's licenses due to unpaid court fees; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Rick Holcomb worked with members of both political parties and stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth to build consensus on critical transportation issues and devise innovative solutions to best serve all Virginians; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Richard D. Holcomb on the occasion of his retirement as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Richard D. Holcomb as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his legacy of achievements in service to Virginians.