Bill Text: VA HJR160 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of William Arthur Olson.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-22 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ160ER) [HJR160 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HJR160-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, William Arthur Olson, an expert in regulatory consulting who dedicated his leadership abilities to the preservation of the Commonwealth's natural and historical resources, died on June 15, 2023; and
WHEREAS, William "Bill" Arthur Olson grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he graduated from Roosevelt High School; he continued his education at the University of Minnesota, earning a bachelor's degree in animal husbandry and a doctorate in physiologic chemistry; and
WHEREAS, while at the University of Minnesota, Bill Olson was a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps and later served his country as a member of the United States Army Reserve for 15 years; and
WHEREAS, Bill Olson began his career in animal pharmaceuticals and worked at Hazleton Labs, which later became Covance; he relocated to Reston in 1969, then started his own regulatory consulting firm, the Center for Regulatory Services, in 1973; and
WHEREAS, under Bill Olson's leadership, the Center for Regulatory Services focused on products regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration; the company gained several domestic and international clients and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023; and
WHEREAS, in 2002, Bill Olson moved to Prince William County, where he was an active member of the community and a champion for environmental and historical preservation programs; and
WHEREAS, Bill Olson served on the Prince William County Historical Commission and was a loyal supporter of Historic Prince William; he oversaw numerous preservation projects and applications for historical markers, and he proudly cared for more than 500 small cemeteries across Prince William County; and
WHEREAS, Bill Olson personally mentored more than 50 Boy Scouts who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with service projects related to local cemetery maintenance or beautification and conservation work in local parks; and
WHEREAS, Bill Olson formed the Prince William Conservation Association with several fellow residents and played a vital role in the preservation of the Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area; and
WHEREAS, Bill Olson enjoyed fellowship and worship with the congregation of Grace United Methodist Church in Manassas, where he spearheaded the restoration and interpretation of the Clover Hill Farm Slave Quarters on church grounds; and
WHEREAS, Bill Olson loved spending time in the great outdoors with friends and family, and he made countless memories on hiking and camping trips; he was also an avid traveler who enjoyed many trips back to Minnesota and around the country and the world, including one journey to the Galapagos Islands; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by his beloved wife, JoAnn, Bill Olson will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Kristi, Gwendolyn, and Jonathan, and their families, and numerous other family members and friends; 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 William Arthur Olson; 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 William Arthur Olson as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
