Bill Text: VA SR49 | 2022 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Senior Chief Petty Officer Ronald Arrington Pritchard, USN, Ret.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-03-09 - Bill text as passed Senate (SR49ER) [SR49 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-SR49-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Senior Chief Petty Officer Ronald Arrington Pritchard, USN, Ret., an honorable veteran, leader of several organizations addressing substance abuse disorder in the Commonwealth, and a beloved member of the Virginia Beach community, died on February 16, 2022; and
WHEREAS, born and raised in Henderson, North Carolina, Ronald "Ron" Pritchard joined the United States Navy after graduating from high school, proudly serving his country for 28 years, including a post as a military liaison to the Government of Sardinia; and
WHEREAS, Ron Pritchard graduated from the University of Maryland in 1983; and, following his retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1988, took a position with the City of Norfolk to manage its homeless intervention program and to serve as an access coordinator for medically indigent clients; and
WHEREAS, Ron Pritchard then served as a counselor at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth for 15 years, where he co-developed several programs, including a transitional psychiatric outpatient service and a program addressing co-occurring substance use disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder; and
WHEREAS, as the owner and manager of Addiction Program Consultants in Virginia Beach, Ron Pritchard provided consultation and training for the development and implementation of alcohol, drug, tobacco, and behavioral modification programs for dual-diagnosed patients; and
WHEREAS, Ron Pritchard was the founder and chairman of Virginia Recovers, Inc., and chairman of Baby Steps, Inc., nonprofit substance abuse prevention and education programs designed to further advance provider skills in the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and related disorders; and
WHEREAS, as a founder and executive director of the Virginia Recovery Coalition, Ron Pritchard invigorated the recovery community and provided focus and leadership to help addiction professionals in the Commonwealth and their clients; and
WHEREAS, Ron Pritchard carried out his mission as an advocate in various leadership capacities, including as co-founder of the Virginia Summer Institute for Addiction Studies and as president of the Virginia Association of Addiction Professionals and the Virginia Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his work promoting the health and well-being of his community, Ron Pritchard was the recipient of many accolades and awards over the years, including the 2002 Ginger Acey Counselor of the Year Award from the Virginia Association of Drug and Alcohol Programs and a Meritorious Civilian Service Award from the United States Navy; and
WHEREAS, guided throughout his life by his faith, Ron Pritchard enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community at Thalia United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach for more than 25 years, serving or leading his fellow congregants in myriad ways; and
WHEREAS, Ron Pritchard will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his daughter, Sybil, and her family; and by numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Senior Chief Petty Officer Ronald Arrington Pritchard, USN, Ret., whose efforts to enhance substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery services in the Commonwealth and beyond made a positive difference in countless lives; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Senior Chief Petty Officer Ronald Arrington Pritchard, USN, Ret., as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.
