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2000 SESSION

006544456
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 274
Offered February 8, 2000
On the death of Richard J. "Dick" Davis, Jr.
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Patrons-- Lucas, Barry, Bolling, Byrne, Chichester, Colgan, Couric, Edwards, Forbes, Hanger, Hawkins, Houck, Howell, Lambert, Marsh, Martin, Marye, Maxwell, Miller, K.G., Miller, Y.B., Mims, Newman, Norment, Potts, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Rerras, Reynolds, Saslaw, Schrock, Stolle, Stosch, Ticer, Trumbo, Wampler, Watkins, Whipple and Williams
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WHEREAS, Richard J. “Dick” Davis, Jr., former Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, died on March 4, 1999, at the age of 77; and

WHEREAS, born in Portsmouth in 1921 to a prominent local attorney, Dick Davis attended The College of William and Mary, and then entered the Marine Corps and fought in the Pacific during World War II; and

WHEREAS, after World War II, Dick Davis attended law school at the University of Virginia and then entered practice with his childhood friend, William Spong, who later became a United States Senator; and

WHEREAS, Dick Davis entered politics in 1974 at the age of 53 by running for and being elected to a Portsmouth City Council seat, from which he was elected Mayor; and

WHEREAS, in 1979, Dick Davis became Chairman of the Virginia Democratic Party and devoted himself to its reorganization, resulting two years later in a Democratic sweep of the state’s top three offices for the first time in 16 years; and

WHEREAS, after serving as Lieutenant Governor with Governor Charles S. Robb’s administration, Dick Davis continued his party-building activities, which contributed to the election of Gerald Baliles and Douglas Wilder to the Governor’s seat; and

WHEREAS, Dick Davis was later appointed by Governor Baliles as the Director of the Virginia Department of World Trade; and

WHEREAS, Dick Davis contributed his considerable skill and devotion in service to his country, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the City of Portsmouth, leaving the state richer for his contributions but poorer for his death; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the loss of a singularly dedicated, distinguished and accomplished Virginian, Richard J. "Dick" Davis, Jr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Richard J. "Dick" Davis as an expression of the General Assembly’s deepest condolences and great respect for his memory.