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2001 SESSION

016266512
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 470
Offered January 23, 2001
Commending Richard Davis Kern, Sr.
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Patrons-- Potts, Barry, Bolling, Byrne, Chichester, Couric, Edwards, Forbes, Hanger, Hawkins, Houck, Howell, Lambert, Lucas, Marsh, Martin, Marye, Maxwell, Miller, K.G., Miller, Y.B., Mims, Newman, Norment, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Rerras, Reynolds, Ruff, Saslaw, Stolle, Stosch, Ticer, Trumbo, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins, Whipple and Williams; Delegates: Abbitt, Albo, Almand, Amundson, Armstrong, Barlow, Baskerville, Bennett, Blevins, Brink, Bryant, Byron, Callahan, Clement, Councill, Cox, Cranwell, Crittenden, Darner, Day, DeBoer, Deeds, Devolites, Diamonstein, Dickinson, Drake, Dudley, Grayson, Griffith, Hall, Howell, Ingram, Jackson, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, J.C., Jones, S.C., Keister, Kilgore, McClure, McDonnell, McEachin, Moran, Moss, Phillips, Plum, Pollard, Purkey, Putney, Robinson, Rollison, Scott, Sherwood, Shuler, Spruill, Stump, Suit, Tata, Tate, Thomas, Van Landingham, Van Yahres, Wardrup, Watts, Williams, Woodrum and Wright
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Consent to introduce
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WHEREAS, Richard Davis Kern, Sr., the founder and owner of Kern Motor Company of Winchester, is a successful businessman who has also served his country and the Commonwealth with honor, valor, and courage; and

WHEREAS, born in humble surroundings, Dick Kern is a 1938 graduate of Handley High School in Winchester, where he was football star and co-captain and won a full football scholarship to Virginia Tech; and

WHEREAS, Dick Kern started for the Hokies for three years, and in his senior year, Virginia Tech upset the nation's top ranked team and defending Sugar Bowl champions, Georgetown University, 3-0; and

WHEREAS, Dick Kern was the Williams Award winner as the Hokies' most valuable player in 1942, won honorable mention All-American recognition, and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles; and

WHEREAS, after graduation from Virginia Tech, Dick Kern was inducted into the United States Army as a 2nd lieutenant, became, at age 24, one of the nation's youngest captains, and led 305 men into battle during World War II; and

WHEREAS, serving with the 435th Anti-aircraft Battalion, which was converted to the infantry, Captain Dick Kern was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantry Badge for distinguished service while fighting on the Arno River in Italy; and

WHEREAS, returning home from the war, Dick Kern founded the Kern Motor Company in 1946, and the company today ranks as the Commonwealth's oldest Pontiac dealership and oldest Jeep dealership; and

WHEREAS, the Kern Motor Company has represented many other car manufacturers, many of them now extinct, but despite the vagaries of the automobile business, Dick Kern and his company have thrived in a competitive environment; and

WHEREAS, the Kern Motor Company has won numerous awards and citations, including the American Motors Hall of Fame and Virginia Dealership of the Year, and Dick Kern is a member of the boards of directors of the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association and the National Automobile Dealers Association; and

WHEREAS, devoted to his community, Dick Kern has founded numerous scholarship programs, founded the first Little League football program in Winchester, and served as its commissioner for seven years; and

WHEREAS, Dick Kern has also had a distinguished political career, serving as vice mayor of Winchester and on the Winchester City Council for 16 years, including service as chairman of the Finance Committee; and

WHEREAS, Dick Kern, who has lived the American Dream, is widely respected in Winchester as a patriot, entrepreneur, elected official, and community servant; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Richard Davis Kern, Sr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Richard Davis Kern, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation and admiration for his manifold contributions to Winchester, the Commonwealth, and the nation.