Bill Text: VA SJR168 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of the Honorable Clarence A. Holland, M.D.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-04 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ168ER) [SJR168 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SJR168-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Honorable Clarence A. Holland, M.D., of Windsor, a dedicated public servant and trusted physician who was motivated by his love of medicine and strong convictions to advocate for his patients and community, died on November 11, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Clarence Holland was born and raised in Windsor to parents Shirley T. and Gladys Holland; he inherited his appreciation for the importance of public service from his father, who served in the Virginia House of Delegates for almost 30 years; and
WHEREAS, as a youth, Clarence Holland excelled in sports, leading to a full scholarship to play football at Hampden-Sydney College; he earned all-state and all-conference honors and was invited to try out for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League after his senior year; and
WHEREAS, Clarence Holland served in the United States Navy and achieved the rank of lieutenant; he was deployed at sea for three years before taking assignment as an admiral's aide for an additional year; and
WHEREAS, after his military service, Clarence Holland studied medicine in Richmond at the Medical College of Virginia and graduated with his medical degree in 1962; along with his partners, he built a successful family medicine practice in Virginia Beach, where he served the community for 53 years; and
WHEREAS, Clarence Holland was the recipient of many awards and honors, including distinctions from the American Medical Association, the Medical Society of Virginia, and the Virginia Family Practice Society, among others; and
WHEREAS, Clarence Holland was elected to the Virginia Beach City Council in 1970, where he served for 12 years, including two years as the mayor of Virginia Beach; and
WHEREAS, Clarence Holland ran for and was elected to the Senate of Virginia in 1983 and went on to represent the residents of Senate District 7 for 12 years, while continuing to practice medicine; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as a state legislator, Clarence Holland focused on public safety, beach conservation, and transportation; he also advocated for the creation of the Virginia Marine Science Museum, now known as the Virginia Aquarium; and
WHEREAS, after his retirement, Clarence Holland remained active in both medicine and government, and his generosity was extended to many people and communities in so many ways, with special consideration for the Virginia Aquarium and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Clarence Holland was deeply devoted to his family, his community, and his church, and he served the Commonwealth with distinction and integrity; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Honorable Clarence A. Holland, M.D., a beloved physician and dedicated public servant; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Honorable Clarence A. Holland, M.D., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
