WHEREAS, Henry Lewis Livas, Jr., an honorable veteran, esteemed engineer, accomplished tennis player, and beloved member of the Virginia Beach community, died on February 20, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Henry Livas attended George P. Phenix School in Hampton from his elementary school years through graduation in 1956; he was a standout athlete on the school's tennis team, winning Virginia Interscholastic Association state championship titles in both the singles and doubles tournaments in 1955 and 1956; and

WHEREAS, Henry Livas earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Bucknell University, where he played four years of varsity tennis and one year of freshman basketball and was a member of the Phi Lambda Theta fraternity, one of the earliest interracial fraternities at an American institution of higher education; and

WHEREAS, Henry Livas served his country with honor and valor as a second lieutenant in the field artillery branch of the United States Army, later achieving the rank of captain while serving in the United States Army Reserve; and

WHEREAS, Henry Livas retired from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center in Hampton in 1998 after dedicating 35 years in the facility systems engineering division; and

WHEREAS, Henry Livas also worked at Fort Norfolk and with the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, designing a prominent building located in Bermuda and having the notable distinction of being a level one contracting officer; and

WHEREAS, an active and engaged member of the community, Henry Livas served eight years on the Virginia Beach Planning Commission and received several honors, awards, and appointments in recognition of his contributions to the Commonwealth over the years; and

WHEREAS, along with his success at George P. Phenix School and Bucknell University, Henry Livas was an American Tennis Association national champion in both the doubles and junior mixed doubles events; in 2009, his achievements were honored with an induction into the Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Henry Livas will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his children, Cosette, Nicole, Leonard, and Nicholas, and their families; his former wives, Becky and Brenda; his former companion, Linda; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Henry Lewis Livas, Jr., a cherished member of the Virginia Beach community whose unwavering kindness and generosity touched 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 Henry Lewis Livas, Jr., as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.