Bill Text: VA HR223 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Honorable Thomas K. Norment, Jr.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-04 - Bill text as passed House (HR223ER) [HR223 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HR223-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Honorable Thomas K. Norment, Jr., a devoted public servant who represented the residents of Senate District 3 for eight consecutive terms in the Senate of Virginia and ably served for multiple years as majority leader and minority leader, retired from public office in January 2024; and
WHEREAS, Thomas "Tommy" K. Norment, Jr., grew up in Williamsburg, where his political life began early as president of the student council at the former James Blair High School; he continued to develop his leadership abilities at the Virginia Military Institute, then earned a law degree from The College of William & Mary in Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Tommy Norment opened a legal practice in Newport News and cultivated a reputation as an ambitious attorney who was deeply committed to the efficacy of the justice system and ably represented his clients in numerous high-profile criminal defense cases; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his legal career, Tommy Norment volunteered his time and leadership to enhance his community in many ways, including service on the boards of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and TowneBank and by serving as an adjunct professor, internship advisor, and counselor at The College of William & Mary; and
WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to the Commonwealth, Tommy Norment ran for and was elected to the James City County Board of Supervisors and served in that capacity from 1987 through 1991, also serving as chair of the board in 1991, then was elected to the Senate of Virginia, unseating an incumbent senator; and
WHEREAS, Tommy Norment was elected as minority leader of the Senate of Virginia in 2008, then led Republicans to regain the majority of the chamber and became majority leader in 2012; he again served briefly as minority leader before regaining the majority for a second time and served as majority leader from 2014 to 2020, then finished his career as minority leader from 2020 to 2024; and
WHEREAS, during his storied tenure in the Senate of Virginia, Tommy Norment became the longest-serving Republican leader in Virginia history and the longest-serving Republican senator in Virginia history; he holds a record alongside the Honorable Dick Saslaw as the two senators to switch between majority leader and minority leader the most times; and
WHEREAS, Tommy Norment served as a budget conferee and later co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, leadership roles that required his talents for reaching consensus by working with members of both the Senate and the Virginia House of Delegates and their staffs to develop balanced budgets that advanced the Commonwealth's priorities; and
WHEREAS, Tommy Norment worked diligently to build bipartisan compromise and consensus and deftly handled disagreements within his own party to promote efficient and effective governance; and
WHEREAS, under the tutelage of Hunter Andrews, Tommy Norment developed a mastery of the Senate's rules, procedures, and traditions and a keen understanding of the legislative process; he introduced and supported many important pieces of legislation to benefit his district and all Virginians; and
WHEREAS, among his proudest achievements, Tommy Norment spearheaded a restructuring of higher education funding to create a three-tiered approach that better directs state resources; he also led efforts to obtain funding for galleries at the Jamestown Settlement, a new Yorktown Victory Center, the Virginia Peninsula Community College Historic Triangle Campus, the Integrated Science Center at The College of William & Mary School of Education, and the construction of a new barracks at Virginia Military Institute; and
WHEREAS, Tommy Norment was at the forefront of developing solutions for costly but urgently needed local infrastructure projects, including the expansion of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and the widening of Interstate 64, as well as a dedicated source of funding for the region's tourism industry; and
WHEREAS, Tommy Norment played an important role in the Jamestown 2007 Commemoration and is the only person to serve as chair of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation more than once, supporting the preservation of the Commonwealth's history and the vibrant tourism economy in the region; and
WHEREAS, Tommy Norment made insightful contributions to legislation related to school safety, traffic safety, electric utilities and energy policy, criminal justice reform, victim advocacy, ethics, education, and health care; and
WHEREAS, a steward of "the Virginia Way," Tommy Norment was a trusted advisor and confidant to numerous legislators, nine governors of both parties, and countless other Virginia leaders in business, education, and public service; and
WHEREAS, Tommy Norment embodied a true Virginia gentleman and represented Hampton Roads with poise and dignity; and
WHEREAS, after his well-earned retirement, Tommy Norment plans to return to academia and seek new opportunities to serve his community, as well as spend more time with his wife, Angie, and his children and grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Tommy Norment, renowned for his pink shirts and suspenders, served the Commonwealth and the Historic Triangle with the utmost dedication, integrity, and distinction; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Honorable Thomas K. Norment, Jr., hereby be commended on the occasion of his retirement from public office; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Honorable Thomas K. Norment, Jr., as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his legacy of achievements in service to the residents of the Commonwealth.
