Bill Text: VA HR335 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Commending the Honorable J. Samuel Johnston, Jr.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-02-08 - Agreed to by House by voice vote [HR335 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2021-HR335-Introduced.html
21104077D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 335
Offered February 3, 2021
Commending the Honorable J. Samuel Johnston, Jr.
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Patron-- Fariss
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WHEREAS, the Honorable J. Samuel Johnston, Jr., served Campbell County with great distinction as a judge of Campbell County General District Court and the Campbell County Circuit Court from 1977 until his retirement on June 1, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Samuel Johnston received a bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama and a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law; and

WHEREAS, after practicing law for five years, Samuel Johnston was appointed a judge of the Campbell County General District Court at the age of 30, making him the youngest judge in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, in 1981, Samuel Johnston became a judge of the Campbell County Circuit Court and was again the youngest such judge in the Commonwealth; he presided over hundreds of trials that impacted thousands of lives and was known for his thoughtfulness, fairness, and commitment to justice; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure on the Campbell County Circuit Court, Samuel Johnston advocated for a new courthouse to not only protect victims and witnesses in criminal cases, but to have the proper facilities to conduct fair and audible hearings and trials, and the new courthouse was dedicated on June 20, 1991; and

WHEREAS, after his well-earned retirement, Samuel Johnston remained active in the legal community as a substitute judge for the 24th Judicial Circuit of Virginia, participating in a statewide mediation group and speaking at numerous events and conferences; and

WHEREAS, Samuel Johnston served as an inspiration to other judges and attorneys and authored a book entitled Why Judges Wear Robes, a humorous account of life in the courtroom; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Honorable J. Samuel Johnston, Jr., hereby be commended for his service to Campbell County and the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Honorable J. Samuel Johnston, Jr., as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his achievements.

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