WHEREAS, Steven John Perez, M.D., a retired United States Air Force officer and a highly respected physician who served two United States presidents and touched countless lives in the Annandale area, died on May 7, 2020; and

WHEREAS, born in London, England, to a military family, Steven "Steve" John Perez, M.D., traveled often in his early life and ultimately graduated from Sacramento State University in California; he went on to earn a medical degree from the University of Southern California and completed his residency in Phoenix, Arizona; and

WHEREAS, Steve Perez served his country as a flight surgeon and a medical director in the United States Air Force Medical Service Corps, with postings in Japan and Spain, then served as a personal physician to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush from 1986 to 1990; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from the United States Air Force as a colonel, Steve Perez worked in private practice in San Antonio, Texas, for many years, then relocated to Virginia, where he opened the Medical Center of Annandale in 1995; and

WHEREAS, Steve Perez earned a reputation as a kind and empathetic caregiver who addressed his patients' concerns clearly and candidly while putting them at ease with his good-humored bedside manner; he helped ensure the health and wellness of the entire community by providing services to uninsured patients at no cost, even accepting fresh produce or other items as payment; and

WHEREAS, Steve Perez inspired a new generation of medical professionals through his work as an associate professor at the University of Virginia, as well as by mentoring students at Georgetown University and George Washington University; and

WHEREAS, Steve Perez will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Margie; his sons, Ted, Benny, Jonny, and their families; his stepson, Ian; and numerous other family members, friends, and former patients; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Steven John Perez, M.D.; 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 Steven John Perez, M.D., as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.