Bill Text: VA SR136 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of the Honorable John O. Marsh, Jr.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2019-02-21 - Bill text as passed Senate (SR136ER) [SR136 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-SR136-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Honorable John O. Marsh, Jr., of Raphine, a dedicated public servant who ably represented the residents of Virginia's 7th Congressional District and was a trusted advisor to three United States presidents, died on February 4, 2019; and
WHEREAS, a native of Winchester, John Marsh graduated from Harrisonburg High School and joined many of the other young men of his generation in service to the nation as a member of the United States Army during World War II; and
WHEREAS, John Marsh served in the United States Army Reserve until 1951, when he graduated from Washington and Lee University and joined the Army National Guard; he ultimately retired from the military with the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1976; and
WHEREAS, in the 1950s, John Marsh made his career as an attorney in Strasburg, then ran for and was elected to the United States House of Representatives and served four terms between 1963 and 1971; he notably volunteered as a combat infantry officer in Vietnam for one month in 1966; and
WHEREAS, a proud patriot, John Marsh worked with the James Monroe Memorial Foundation to restore awareness of the legacy of the nation's fifth president and co-sponsored the bill that created the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission; and
WHEREAS, John Marsh went on to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs under President Richard Nixon, then was appointed as Counselor to the President by President Gerald Ford, becoming known as the "presidential conscience" for his sage guidance; and
WHEREAS, in 1981, John Marsh was appointed as Secretary of the Army by President Ronald Reagan; over the next eight years and six months, he presided over a rebuilding of the United States Army's forces and enhanced its special operations capabilities; and
WHEREAS, after his well-earned retirement as Secretary of the Army, John Marsh helped streamline defense procurement procedures at the Pentagon and served on the Reserve Policy Forces Board, then joined the private sector as a successful executive; and
WHEREAS, John Marsh also shared his lifetime of leadership experience with students at Virginia Military Institute, The College of William and Mary, and George Mason University; and
WHEREAS, John Marsh served as honorary chairman of the James Monroe Memorial Foundation and helped create the original exhibits at the James Monroe Birthplace Museum and Visitor Center, which was dedicated on what would have been the 250th birthday of President James Monroe on April 28, 2008; and
WHEREAS, John Marsh received numerous awards and accolades for his personal and professional achievements, including recognition from the George Mason University School of Law in 1980, the Outstanding Virginian Award from the Virginia Press Association in 1988, the Presidential Citizens Medal in 1989, the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, and the James Monroe Medal of Freedom in 2009; and
WHEREAS, John Marsh will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Scot, John, and Rebecca, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Honorable John O. Marsh, Jr., a distinguished public servant who made unparalleled contributions to the Commonwealth and the United States; 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 O. Marsh, Jr., as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.
