Bill Text: VA SJR415 | 2013 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of the Honorable John W. Russell.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2013-03-05 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ415ER) [SJR415 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2013-SJR415-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, the Honorable John W. Russell, the former mayor of the City of Fairfax who served the Commonwealth as a member of the Senate of Virginia from 1984 to 1988, died on December 24, 2012; and WHEREAS, John Russell earned a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University and a master's degree and doctorate from the University of Illinois; and WHEREAS, John Russell spent several years as a school administrator and educator before joining the Department of Defense, where he made many contributions to the nation's security; he also graduated from the National War College and the Air War College; and WHEREAS, a dedicated civic leader, John Russell served as a member and vice president of the Little River Hills Civic Association, helped found the Fairfax Art League, and was a member of numerous local community service organizations; he was a longstanding member of Fairfax United Methodist Church; and WHEREAS, a member of the Fairfax City Council from 1964 to 1970, John Russell worked diligently to ensure the efficient and effective operation of local government; he served on the City of Fairfax School Board and twice served as mayor of the City of Fairfax, from 1970 to 1974 and again from 1982 to 1983; and WHEREAS, John Russell provided strong leadership to ensure adequate funding for schools, dealt with a host of development issues as the area transitioned from a primarily agricultural area to a more suburban area region, and ably represented the City of Fairfax on local and regional boards and committees; and WHEREAS, in 1983, John Russell ran for and was elected to the Senate of Virginia, where he represented the citizens of the 34th District with great distinction for four years and served as a member of the Education and Health, General Laws, and Local Government Committees; and WHEREAS, dedicated to the well-being and prosperity of his fellow citizens, John Russell served the City of Fairfax and the Commonwealth with great faithfulness; and WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife, Ruth, John Russell will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Kathy and Robyn, and their families, including granddaughter, Heather; and numerous other family members, friends, the residents of the City of Fairfax, and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; 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 a dedicated and effective public servant, the Honorable John W. Russell; 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 John W. Russell as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory. |
