Bill Text: VA HJR486 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of the Honorable Benjamin Joseph Lambert, III.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 68-32)
Status: (Passed) 2014-03-06 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ486ER) [HJR486 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2014-HJR486-Introduced.html
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14105505D WHEREAS, the Honorable Benjamin Joseph Lambert, III, former state Senator of the 9th Senatorial District, comprising the City of Richmond and the Counties of Henrico and Charles City, was born on January 29, 1937, in Henrico County to prominent African American caterers, whose family lived in the Richmond area since the American Civil War; nurtured by loving parents, he was one of seven college-educated siblings whose success in their respective professions was recognized in Richmond and beyond; and WHEREAS,
WHEREAS, the Honorable Benjamin Joseph Lambert, III, graduated
from Virginia Randolph High School in 1955, earned his bachelor's degree in
mathematics from Virginia Union University in 1959, where he was class
president, a member of the yearbook staff, the Math Club, band, Who's Who Among
Students in American Universities and Colleges, the
Panhellenic Council, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated; he was an
optometrist by profession, having graduated from the Massachusetts College of
Optometry, and he attended the Pennsylvania College of Optometry; and WHEREAS, the Honorable Benjamin Joseph Lambert, III, always
actively involved in the community, began his 30-year political career with
election to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1977 to represent the 33rd House
District, and in 1985, he was elected overwhelmingly to the Senate of Virginia
to represent the 9th Senatorial District; and WHEREAS, a true statesman and scholar, the Honorable Benjamin
Joseph Lambert, III, was a kind and caring Virginia gentleman; he practiced
optometry in the Jackson Ward area of Richmond and moved effortlessly among the
politically powerful, corporate leaders, civil rights activists, the health
care community, and everyday constituents; and WHEREAS, the Honorable Benjamin Joseph
Lambert, III, who was the first African American appointed to the
powerful Senate Committee on Finance, served on a number of legislative and
executive branch and civic committees, chaired several subcommittees, was the
chief patron of legislation creating the Virginia Commonwealth University
Health System Authority, was the Senate patron of legislation creating the Brown
v. Board of Education Scholarship Committee, which he chaired from its
inception in 2004 until his retirement in 2007, and introduced measures
designed to improve public and higher education, provide for lead abatement,
and enhance the quality of life for underserved populations; and WHEREAS, the Honorable Benjamin Joseph Lambert, III, was a
dedicated public servant as demonstrated by his numerous affiliations,
memberships, and awards; in 1972, he received the "Outstanding Young Man" award
from the Richmond Jaycees, the first African American man to receive the honor,
which the civic group had given since 1938; in 1980, he became the first
African American to represent Virginia on the Democratic National Committee; in
1993, he received the Humanitarian Award from the National Conference of Christians
and Jews, now the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities; in 2008, he was
honored for his contributions as a Virginia Commonwealth University Health
System board member and for being a champion of health care for underserved
persons; and WHEREAS, among the several organizations to which the
Honorable Benjamin Joseph Lambert, III, devoted his time, talent, and treasure
are the NAACP, Richmond Crusade for Voters, Jackson Ward Civic Association,
Richmond Jaycees, North Richmond YMCA, Consolidated Bank and Trust, Dominion
Resources, Inc. board of directors from 1994 to 2010, Dominion
Virginia Power board of directors from 1992 to 1999, USA Education, Inc., Virginia College Fund, Virginia Randolph
Foundation, Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, Barksdale
Theater, Virginia Optometric Association, American Optometric Association,
National Optometric Association, and Richmond Medical Society; he served as secretary of the board of trustees of his
alma mater, Virginia Union University, and was a longtime and devoted member of
Westwood Baptist Church in Richmond; and WHEREAS, the Honorable Benjamin Joseph
Lambert, III, was a strong advocate for the City of Richmond and its
surrounding communities; he was an influential and effective legislator
who was trustworthy, dependable, and conscientious; and his keen
understanding of the role of government and politics gave him a savvy ability
to work effectively with members across the aisle to
garner support for his legislation to ensure the welfare of his constituents, regardless of the political consequences; and WHEREAS, the Honorable Benjamin Joseph
Lambert, III, leaves a legacy of public service characterized by honesty,
loyalty, diligence, duty, dignity, and grace, and "his works do follow him";
and WHEREAS, his warm, easy smile, jovial nature, generosity,
kindness towards his patients and others, and hearty laugh will be sorely
missed by his family, friends, colleagues, church family, and everyone whose
life he touched, and loving memories of the Honorable Benjamin Joseph Lambert,
III, will be cherished forever; 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 Benjamin Joseph Lambert, III, former state Senator of the 9th
Senatorial District; 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 Benjamin Joseph Lambert, III, former state Senator of the 9th
Senatorial District, as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his
memory and fond remembrance and admiration of his life of public service to the
Commonwealth. |
