Bill Text: VA HR85 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Celebrating the life of the Honorable Joseph Earl Blackburn.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-01-17 - Bill text as passed House (HR85ER) [HR85 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2014-HR85-Introduced.html

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14101001D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 85 Offered January 15, 2014 Celebrating the life of the Honorable Joseph Earl Blackburn. ---------- Patron-- Massie ----------

WHEREAS, the Honorable Joseph Earl Blackburn, an admired attorney, the retired chief executive officer of Bell Atlantic in Virginia, and a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, died on May 10, 2013; and

WHEREAS, a native of Lynchburg, Joseph Blackburn grew up at the Presbyterian Orphans Home in Lynchburg from age four until he graduated from high school at age 16; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Blackburn earned a bachelor's degree from Lynchburg College and proudly served his country in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II as a B-25 bomber pilot in the South Pacific; and

WHEREAS, after his exemplary military service, Joseph Blackburn earned a law degree from Washington and Lee University and entered private practice; and

WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to the community, Joseph Blackburn ran for and was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the City of Lynchburg; and

WHEREAS, during Joseph Blackburn's two terms in office, he served on several committees and worked to enact important legislation to benefit all Virginians; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Blackburn also served the Commonwealth as a member of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and on the board of Mary Washington College (now University); and

WHEREAS, a respected business leader, Joseph Blackburn served as vice president of four C & P companies and as chief executive officer of Bell Atlantic in Virginia; he then reentered the private practice of law until his retirement in 2009; and

WHEREAS, a committed and effective public servant, Joseph Blackburn devoted countless hours to serving the City of Lynchburg, the Commonwealth, and the nation; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Anne, Joseph Blackburn will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Joseph, Jr., James, Martha, and Katherine, and their families; numerous other family members and friends; and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of an admired business leader and dedicated public servant, the Honorable Joseph Earl Blackburn; 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 Joseph Earl Blackburn as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.