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2003 SESSION
WHEREAS, Judge Jack M. Matthews of Galax, a retired judge who was widely known for his generosity and dedication to conservation, died on July 25, 2002; and
WHEREAS, a native of Carroll County, Jack Matthews graduated from Galax High School and attended Roanoke College, the University of Delaware, and The College of William and Mary; and
WHEREAS, Jack Matthews earned his law degree from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and began practicing law in Galax in 1932; and
WHEREAS, during World War II, Jack Matthews enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to the Judge Advocate General's office; and
WHEREAS, in 1947 Jack Matthews was appointed trial justice, an office he held until his appointment as judge of the 21st Judicial Circuit on February 1, 1954; and
WHEREAS, Judge Matthews served on the bench for 24 years until his retirement in 1978 and earned a reputation for fairness and integrity; and
WHEREAS, a lifelong gardener and orchardist, Judge Matthews was keenly aware of the importance of Virginia's natural resources and was dedicated throughout his life to their preservation; and
WHEREAS, Judge Matthews worked in his orchard to preserve old apple varieties and was interested in preserving the American chestnut tree, a species that was nearly wiped out in the early 20th century by blight; and
WHEREAS, Judge Matthews donated 77 acres of land along U.S. Route 58 to the Commonwealth with the requirement that part of the land be used for research into the recovery and reinvigoration of the American chestnut tree; and
WHEREAS, Judge Matthews donated another 87 acres in 1995 and then donated 450 acres to a trust for the Matthews Living History Farm Museum; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of Judge Matthews' generosity and his importance to conservation in Southwest Virginia, a state forest and a farm museum now bear his name; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly note with great sadness the loss of an outstanding Virginian, Judge Jack M. Matthews; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Judge Jack M. Matthews as an expression of the high regard in which his memory is held by the members of the General Assembly.